Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FM185DC 2010 vs Lowe Frontier 1650 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Lowe FM185DC 2010 against a modified vee Lowe Frontier 1650 2012 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 2010 at 18,3 ft versus Lowe Frontier 1650 2012 at 16,0 ft. At 121 lbs and 46 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 2010 has a 110-hp advantage over the Lowe Frontier 1650 2012's 40-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 2010 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe Frontier 1650 2012 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 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe FM185DC 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe Frontier 1650 2012 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
ModelFM185DC
ModelFrontier 165
Model Year201
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam74 in. (1.88 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters1.88
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches74
Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)
Weight - Detail460 lbs. (209 kg)
Weight - kg548.85
Weight - kg208.65
Weight - lbs.121
Weight - lbs.46
Width [transom] - DetailBottom Width: 83 in. (2.1 m)
Width [transom] - Detail50 in. (1.27 m) bottom
Height - DetailBow Height: 41 in. (1.04 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.04
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches41
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length - Feet18.25
Length - Feet16
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. (4.88 m)
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Inches219
Length overall - Inches192
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail21 in. (0.53 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches21
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.54 mm)
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
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
Engine max150 hp (111 kW)
Engine max40 hp (30 kW)
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity1,000 lbs. (454 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (506 kg)
Maximum people4 / 550 lbs. (249 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