Lowe FM185DC 2009 vs Lowe L1436L 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Lowe FM185DC 2009 or the Lowe L1436L 2013?

The Lowe FM185DC 2009 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Lowe L1436L 2013 comes in at 14,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe FM185DC 2009 or the Lowe L1436L 2013?

For trailering, the Lowe FM185DC 2009 has the edge at 121 lbs dry weight versus 145 lbs for the Lowe L1436L 2013. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Lowe FM185DC 2009 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe L1436L 2013 tops out at 15 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Lowe FM185DC 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe L1436L 2013 is certified for 3. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat has the better power-to-weight ratio?

The Lowe FM185DC 2009 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 10 lbs per hp for the Lowe L1436L 2013. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Lowe FM185DC 2009 measures 95" wide, compared to 57" for the Lowe L1436L 2013. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Are the Lowe FM185DC 2009 and Lowe L1436L 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe FM185DC 2009 and the Lowe L1436L 2013 are built by Lowe. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Lowe FM185DC 2009 vs Lowe L1436L 2013

Lowe

Lowe FM185DC 2009

2009

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Lowe

Lowe L1436L 2013

2013

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lowe FM185DC 2009 vs Lowe L1436L 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Lowe FM185DC 2009 against a flat Lowe L1436L 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe FM185DC 2009 measures 18,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe L1436L 2013 at 14,0 feet (2013). At 121 lbs and 145 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Lowe FM185DC 2009 has a 135-hp advantage over the Lowe L1436L 2013's 15-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe FM185DC 2009 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe L1436L 2013 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe FM185DC 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe FM185DC 2009 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 10 lbs per hp for the Lowe L1436L 2013. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe FM185DC 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe L1436L 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeLowe

ModelFM185DC

ModelL1436L

Model Year2009

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam95 in. (2.41 m)

Beam57 in. (1.45 m)

Beam - Meters2.41

Beam - Meters1.45

Beam - Inches95

Beam - Inches57

Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)

Weight - Detail145 lbs. (66 kg)

Weight - kg548.85

Weight - kg65.77

Weight - lbs.121

Weight - lbs.145

Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)

Height [transom]15 in. (0.38 m)

Length - Meters5.56

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feet14

Length - Inches3

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)

Length overall - Detail14 ft. (4.27 m)

Length overall - Meters5.56

Length overall - Meters4.27

Length overall - Inches219

Length overall - Inches168

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail17 in. (0.43 m)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters43.18

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches17

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m) bottom

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)

Hull thickness0.050 in. (1.27 mm)

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeFlat

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail38 gal. (144 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters143.85

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal38

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas

Engine max150 hp (111 kw)

Engine max15 hp (11 kW)

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)

Maximum capacity552 lbs. (250 kg)

Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (798 kg)

Maximum people3 / 350 lbs. (159 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer with swing tongue

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 7 in. (6.9 m) with tongue in

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)

Trailer - Widthnot available

Lowe FM185DC 2009 vs Lowe L1436L 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe FM185DC 2009 or the Lowe L1436L 2013?

The Lowe FM185DC 2009 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Lowe L1436L 2013 comes in at 14,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe FM185DC 2009 or the Lowe L1436L 2013?

For trailering, the Lowe FM185DC 2009 has the edge at 121 lbs dry weight versus 145 lbs for the Lowe L1436L 2013. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Lowe FM185DC 2009 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe L1436L 2013 tops out at 15 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Lowe FM185DC 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe L1436L 2013 is certified for 3. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat has the better power-to-weight ratio?

The Lowe FM185DC 2009 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 10 lbs per hp for the Lowe L1436L 2013. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Lowe FM185DC 2009 measures 95" wide, compared to 57" for the Lowe L1436L 2013. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Are the Lowe FM185DC 2009 and Lowe L1436L 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe FM185DC 2009 and the Lowe L1436L 2013 are built by Lowe. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Lowe FM185DC 2009 full specs ← Lowe L1436L 2013 full specs