Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine  2007 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007
2007
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VS
Lowe JM250 SD 2005 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe JM250 SD 2005
2005
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Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 vs Lowe JM250 SD 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 vs Lowe JM250 SD 2005 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe JM250 SD 2005 measures 25,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 7,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 at 18,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe JM250 SD 2005 tips the scales at 3 258 lbs — 3 137 lbs less than the Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 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 190 hp, the Lowe JM250 SD 2005 has a 40-hp advantage over the Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 38 gal and 35 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe JM250 SD 2005 is rated for 17 passengers, while the Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe JM250 SD 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe JM250 SD 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 17 passengers and at 25,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeLowe
MakeLowe
ModelFM185S Fishing Machine
ModelJM250 SD
Model Year2007
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.45 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)
Weight - Detail3,258 lbs. (1,477.8 kg)
Weight - kg548.85
Weight - kg1477.8
Weight - lbs.121
Weight - lbs.3258
Width [transom] - Detail83 in. (2.1 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - Detail41 in. (1 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.04
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches41
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (.53 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters5.56
Length - Meters7.62
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet25
Length - Inches3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 0 in. (7.62 m)
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Meters7.62
Length overall - Inches219
Length overall - Inches3
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]25 ft. 0 in. (7.62 m)
Body / Hull
Hull thickness.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail38 gal. (144 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (133 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters143.85
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Gal38
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp (111 kW)
Engine max190 hp (141.7 kw)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity3,005 lbs. (1,352 kg)
Maximum people7
Maximum people17
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailLB-3050-82-SB-BL - painted bunk trailer w/ brakes
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - Length over allTongue in: 22 ft. 7 in. (6.9 m)
Trailer - Length over all31 ft. 6 in
Trailer - Width102 in
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in. (.63 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge.080 in

Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 vs Lowe JM250 SD 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 or the Lowe JM250 SD 2005?
The Lowe JM250 SD 2005 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 7,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 or the Lowe JM250 SD 2005?
For trailering, the Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 has the edge at 121 lbs dry weight versus 3 258 lbs for the Lowe JM250 SD 2005. 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 JM250 SD 2005 is rated to a maximum of 190 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 tops out at 150 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 FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe JM250 SD 2005 is certified for 17. 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 JM250 SD 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 95" for the Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007. 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.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 or the Lowe JM250 SD 2005?
The Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 has the bigger tank at 38 gallons, versus 35 gallons on the Lowe JM250 SD 2005. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 and Lowe JM250 SD 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 and the Lowe JM250 SD 2005 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.