Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FM185DC 2011 vs Lowe Sportsman 18 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Lowe FM185DC 2011 against a modified vee Lowe Sportsman 18 2013 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 Sportsman 18 2013 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe Sportsman 18 2013 tips the scales at 958 lbs — 837 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 60-hp advantage over the Lowe Sportsman 18 2013's 90-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 Sportsman 18 2013 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 Sportsman 18 2013 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
ModelSportsman 18
Model Year2011
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam79 in. (2 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters2.01
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches79
Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)
Weight - Detail958 lbs. (435 kg)
Weight - kg548.85
Weight - kg434.54
Weight - lbs.121
Weight - lbs.958
Width [transom] - Detail83 in. (2.1 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detail61 in. (1.55 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. (0.5 m)
Length - Feet18.25
Length - Feet18
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. (5.49 m)
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Inches219
Length overall - Inches216
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail22 in. (0.56 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters55.88
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches22
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
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp (111 kW) 9.9 hp (7.5 kW) Kicker motor
Engine max90 hp (67 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity1,202 lbs. (545 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (506 kg)
Maximum people4 / 600 lbs. (272 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