Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FM185DC 2010 vs Lowe R1756VT Roughneck 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Lowe FM185DC 2010 against a modified vee Lowe R1756VT Roughneck 2008 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 R1756VT Roughneck 2008 at 17,0 ft. At 121 lbs and 69 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 70-hp advantage over the Lowe R1756VT Roughneck 2008's 80-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 R1756VT Roughneck 2008 caps at 5. 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 R1756VT Roughneck 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelFM185DC
ModelR1756VT Roughneck
Model Year201
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam77 in. (2.03 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters1.96
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches77
Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)
Weight - Detail690 lbs. (313 kg)
Weight - kg548.85
Weight - kg312.98
Weight - lbs.121
Weight - lbs.69
Width [transom] - DetailBottom Width: 83 in. (2.1 m)
Width [transom] - Detail56 in. (1.42 m)
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. (.5 m)
Length - Feet18.25
Length - Feet17
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. (5.18 m)
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Inches219
Length overall - Inches204
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail21 in. (.53 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches21
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.18
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness.100 in. (2.5 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 maxRemote: 80 hp (60 kW) Tiller: 50 hp (37 kW)
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity1,250 lbs. (567 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (506 kg)
Maximum people5 / 685 lbs. (310.7 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 all19 ft. 2 in. (5.84 m)
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available