Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FM185DC 2011 vs Lowe L1852MT Jon Boat 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Lowe FM185DC 2011 vs Lowe L1852MT Jon Boat 2007 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 2011 at 18,3 ft versus Lowe L1852MT Jon Boat 2007 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe L1852MT Jon Boat 2007 tips the scales at 475 lbs — 354 lbs less than the Lowe FM185DC 2011 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 2011 has a 105-hp advantage over the Lowe L1852MT Jon Boat 2007's 45-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 L1852MT Jon Boat 2007 caps at 6. 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 L1852MT Jon Boat 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelFM185DC
ModelL1852MT Jon Boat
Model Year2011
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam75 in. (1.9 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters1.91
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches75
Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)
Weight - Detail475 lbs. (216 kg)
Weight - kg548.85
Weight - kg215.46
Weight - lbs.121
Weight - lbs.475
Width [transom] - Detail83 in. (2.1 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detail52 in. (1.32 m)
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]20 in. (.5 m)
Length - Feet18.25
Length - Feet18
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in. (5.48 m)
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Inches219
Length overall - Inches216
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail21 in. (.53 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches21
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.48
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness.072 in. (.183 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
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp (111 kW) 9.9 hp (7.5 kW) Kicker motor
Engine maxRemote: 45 hp (33 kW) Tiller: 65 hp (48 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity1,375 lbs. (624 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (506 kg)
Maximum people6
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