Lowe FM185DC 2011 vs Lowe L1436 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Lowe FM185DC 2011 or the Lowe L1436 2012?

The Lowe FM185DC 2011 is the longer of the two at 18,3 feet overall. The Lowe L1436 2012 comes in at 13,8 feet, making it roughly 4,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe FM185DC 2011 or the Lowe L1436 2012?

For trailering, the Lowe FM185DC 2011 has the edge at 121 lbs dry weight versus 185 lbs for the Lowe L1436 2012. 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 2011 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe L1436 2012 tops out at 20 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 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe L1436 2012 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Lowe FM185DC 2011 measures 95" wide, compared to 57" for the Lowe L1436 2012. 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 2011 and Lowe L1436 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe FM185DC 2011 and the Lowe L1436 2012 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 2011 vs Lowe L1436 2012

Lowe

Lowe FM185DC 2011

2011

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Lowe

Lowe L1436 2012

2012

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lowe FM185DC 2011 vs Lowe L1436 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Lowe FM185DC 2011 against a flat Lowe L1436 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe FM185DC 2011 measures 18,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 4,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe L1436 2012 at 13,8 feet (2012). At 121 lbs and 185 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 2011 has a 130-hp advantage over the Lowe L1436 2012's 20-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 2011 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe L1436 2012 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 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe FM185DC 2011 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 L1436 2012 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

ModelL1436

Model Year2011

Model Year2012

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 - Detail185 lbs. (84 kg)

Weight - kg548.85

Weight - kg83.91

Weight - lbs.121

Weight - lbs.185

Width [transom] - Detail83 in. (2.1 m) bottom

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

Height - Detail41 in. (1.04 m) bow

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.04

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches41

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)

Height [transom]15 in. (0.38 m)

Length - Feet18.25

Length - Feet13.75

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

Length overall - Detail13 ft. 9 in. (4.19 m)

Length overall - Meters5.56

Length overall - Meters4.19

Length overall - Inches219

Length overall - Inches165

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail17 in. (0.43 m)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters43.18

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches17

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)

Hull thickness0.064 in. (1.63 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

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max150 hp (111 kW) 9.9 hp (7.5 kW) Kicker motor

Engine max20 hp (15 kW)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)

Maximum capacity675 lbs. (306 kg)

Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (506 kg)

Maximum people3 / 350 lbs. (159 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer

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 2011 vs Lowe L1436 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe FM185DC 2011 or the Lowe L1436 2012?

The Lowe FM185DC 2011 is the longer of the two at 18,3 feet overall. The Lowe L1436 2012 comes in at 13,8 feet, making it roughly 4,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe FM185DC 2011 or the Lowe L1436 2012?

For trailering, the Lowe FM185DC 2011 has the edge at 121 lbs dry weight versus 185 lbs for the Lowe L1436 2012. 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 2011 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe L1436 2012 tops out at 20 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 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe L1436 2012 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Lowe FM185DC 2011 measures 95" wide, compared to 57" for the Lowe L1436 2012. 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 2011 and Lowe L1436 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe FM185DC 2011 and the Lowe L1436 2012 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 2011 full specs ← Lowe L1436 2012 full specs