Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FM185DC 2011 vs Lowe RV160SC 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Lowe FM185DC 2011 against a modified vee Lowe RV160SC 2011 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 2011 at 18,3 ft versus Lowe RV160SC 2011 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe RV160SC 2011 tips the scales at 704 lbs — 583 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 100-hp advantage over the Lowe RV160SC 2011's 50-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 RV160SC 2011 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 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 RV160SC 2011 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
Model Year2011
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam76.5 in. (1.94 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters1.96
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches76.5
Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)
Weight - Detail704 lbs. (319 kg)
Weight - kg548.85
Weight - kg319.33
Weight - lbs.121
Weight - lbs.704
Width [transom] - Detail83 in. (2.1 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detail52 in. (1.32 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]20 in. (0.51 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 - Detail19.5 in. (0.50 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters50.8
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches19.5
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness0.100 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
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp (111 kW) 9.9 hp (7.5 kW) Kicker motor
Engine max50 hp (37 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (506 kg)
Maximum people4 / 550 lbs. (249 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer
Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer with swing tongue
Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 7 in. (6.9 m) with tongue in
Trailer - Length over all16 ft. (4.9 m)
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available