Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe Frontier 1546 2011 vs Lowe FS185 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Lowe Frontier 1546 2011 against a deep vee Lowe FS185 2010 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 FS185 2010 measures 18,3 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 3,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe Frontier 1546 2011 at 15,0 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe FS185 2010 tips the scales at 135 lbs — 106 lbs less than the Lowe Frontier 1546 2011 at 29 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 FS185 2010 has a 125-hp advantage over the Lowe Frontier 1546 2011's 25-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 FS185 2010 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe Frontier 1546 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 FS185 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe FS185 2010 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 Frontier 1546 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
ModelFrontier 1546
ModelFS185
Model Year2011
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam70 in. (1.78 m)
Beam95 in. (5.56 m)
Beam - Meters1.78
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Inches7
Beam - Inches95
Depth - DetailN/A
Depth - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail290 lbs. (132 kg)
Weight - Detail1,350 lbs. (612 kg)
Weight - kg131.54
Weight - kg612.35
Weight - lbs.29
Weight - lbs.135
Width [transom] - Detail46 in. (1.17 m) bottom
Width [transom] - DetailBottom Width: 83 in. (2.1 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length - Feet15
Length - Feet18.25
Length overall - Detail15 ft. (4.57 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.49 m)
Length overall - Meters4.57
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Inches18
Length overall - Inches219
Height - Detailnot available
Height - DetailBow Height: 41 in. (1.04 m)
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters1.04
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches41
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.080 in. (2.03 mm)
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max25 hp (19 kW)
Engine max150 hp (111 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail38 gal. (144 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters143.85
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal38
Operational Info
Maximum capacity825 lbs. (374 kg)
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum people4 / 500 lbs. (227 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (506 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all19 ft. (5.79 m)
Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 7 in. (6.9 m)
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer with swing tongue
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)