Lowe FM185DC 2009 vs Lowe L1648MT 2010 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Lowe FM185DC 2009 or the Lowe L1648MT 2010?

The Lowe FM185DC 2009 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Lowe L1648MT 2010 comes in at 15,8 feet, making it roughly 2,2 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 L1648MT 2010?

For trailering, the Lowe FM185DC 2009 has the edge at 121 lbs dry weight versus 275 lbs for the Lowe L1648MT 2010. 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 L1648MT 2010 tops out at 35 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 L1648MT 2010 is certified for 4. 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 8 lbs per hp for the Lowe L1648MT 2010. 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 7" for the Lowe L1648MT 2010. 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 L1648MT 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe FM185DC 2009 and the Lowe L1648MT 2010 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 L1648MT 2010

Lowe

Lowe FM185DC 2009

2009

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Lowe

Lowe L1648MT 2010

2010

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lowe FM185DC 2009 vs Lowe L1648MT 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Lowe FM185DC 2009 against a flat Lowe L1648MT 2010 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe FM185DC 2009 at 18,0 ft versus Lowe L1648MT 2010 at 15,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe L1648MT 2010 tips the scales at 275 lbs — 154 lbs less than the Lowe FM185DC 2009 at 121 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Lowe FM185DC 2009 has a 115-hp advantage over the Lowe L1648MT 2010's 35-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 L1648MT 2010 caps at 4. 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 8 lbs per hp for the Lowe L1648MT 2010. 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 L1648MT 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeLowe

ModelFM185DC

ModelL1648MT

Model Year2009

Model Year201

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam95 in. (2.41 m)

Beam70 in. (1.77 m)

Beam - Meters2.41

Beam - Meters1.78

Beam - Inches95

Beam - Inches7

Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)

Weight - Detail275 lbs. (125 kg)

Weight - kg548.85

Weight - kg124.74

Weight - lbs.121

Weight - lbs.275

Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)

Length - Meters5.56

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feet15.83

Length - Inches3

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length overall - Detail15 ft. 10 in. (4.82 m)

Length overall - Meters5.56

Length overall - Meters4.83

Length overall - Inches219

Length overall - Inches19

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail21 in. (0.53 m)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters53.34

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches21

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - DetailBottom Width: 48 in. (1.2 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)

Hull thickness0.072 in. (1.83 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 max35 hp (26 kW)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)

Maximum capacity973 lbs. (441 kg)

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

Maximum people4 / 555 lbs. (252 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 all20 ft. (6.09 m) (trailer optional)

Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)

Trailer - Widthnot available

Lowe FM185DC 2009 vs Lowe L1648MT 2010 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe FM185DC 2009 or the Lowe L1648MT 2010?

The Lowe FM185DC 2009 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Lowe L1648MT 2010 comes in at 15,8 feet, making it roughly 2,2 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 L1648MT 2010?

For trailering, the Lowe FM185DC 2009 has the edge at 121 lbs dry weight versus 275 lbs for the Lowe L1648MT 2010. 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 L1648MT 2010 tops out at 35 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 L1648MT 2010 is certified for 4. 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 8 lbs per hp for the Lowe L1648MT 2010. 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 7" for the Lowe L1648MT 2010. 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 L1648MT 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe FM185DC 2009 and the Lowe L1648MT 2010 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 L1648MT 2010 full specs