Lowe FM185DC 2009 vs Lowe R1960MT 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Lowe FM185DC 2009 or the Lowe R1960MT 2006?

The Lowe R1960MT 2006 is the longer of the two at 19,0 feet overall. The Lowe FM185DC 2009 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 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 R1960MT 2006?

For trailering, the Lowe FM185DC 2009 has the edge at 121 lbs dry weight versus 725 lbs for the Lowe R1960MT 2006. 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 R1960MT 2006 tops out at 105 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 R1960MT 2006 is certified for 9. 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Lowe FM185DC 2009 measures 95" wide, compared to 83" for the Lowe R1960MT 2006. 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 R1960MT 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe FM185DC 2009 and the Lowe R1960MT 2006 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 R1960MT 2006

Lowe

Lowe FM185DC 2009

2009

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Lowe

Lowe R1960MT 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lowe FM185DC 2009 vs Lowe R1960MT 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Lowe FM185DC 2009 vs Lowe R1960MT 2006 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe FM185DC 2009 at 18,0 ft versus Lowe R1960MT 2006 at 19,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe R1960MT 2006 tips the scales at 725 lbs — 604 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 45-hp advantage over the Lowe R1960MT 2006's 105-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 R1960MT 2006 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Lowe FM185DC 2009 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe R1960MT 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe R1960MT 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 19,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe FM185DC 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeLowe

ModelFM185DC

ModelR1960MT

Model Year2009

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam95 in. (2.41 m)

Beam83 in. (2.1 m)

Beam - Meters2.41

Beam - Meters2.11

Beam - Inches95

Beam - Inches83

Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)

Weight - Detail725 lbs. (329 kg)

Weight - kg548.85

Weight - kg328.85

Weight - lbs.121

Weight - lbs.725

Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)

Height [transom]20 in. (.50 m)

Length - Meters5.56

Length - Meters5.79

Length - Feet18

Length - Feet19

Length - Inches3

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 0 in. (5.79 m)

Length overall - Meters5.56

Length overall - Meters5.79

Length overall - Inches219

Length overall - Inches228

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail21.5 in. (.55 m)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters55.88

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches21.5

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail60 in. (1.52 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull materialnot available

Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)

Hull thickness.100 in. (.25 cm)

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

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 maxRemote: 105 hp (78 kW) Tiller: 50 hp (37 kW)

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)

Maximum capacity1,898 lbs. (861 kg)

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

Maximum people9

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 R1960MT 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe FM185DC 2009 or the Lowe R1960MT 2006?

The Lowe R1960MT 2006 is the longer of the two at 19,0 feet overall. The Lowe FM185DC 2009 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 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 R1960MT 2006?

For trailering, the Lowe FM185DC 2009 has the edge at 121 lbs dry weight versus 725 lbs for the Lowe R1960MT 2006. 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 R1960MT 2006 tops out at 105 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 R1960MT 2006 is certified for 9. 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Lowe FM185DC 2009 measures 95" wide, compared to 83" for the Lowe R1960MT 2006. 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 R1960MT 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe FM185DC 2009 and the Lowe R1960MT 2006 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 R1960MT 2006 full specs