Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FS185 2011 vs Lowe L1232 Jon Boat 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Lowe FS185 2011 vs Lowe L1232 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe FS185 2011 measures 18,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 7,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe L1232 Jon Boat 2007 at 11,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe FS185 2011 tips the scales at 135 lbs — 126 lbs more than the Lowe L1232 Jon Boat 2007 at 9 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 2011 has a 147-hp advantage over the Lowe L1232 Jon Boat 2007's 3-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 2011 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe L1232 Jon Boat 2007 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe FS185 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe FS185 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 L1232 Jon Boat 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelFS185
ModelL1232 Jon Boat
Model Year2011
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam48 in. (1.21 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters1.22
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches48
Weight - Detail1,350 lbs. (612 kg)
Weight - Detail90 lbs. (40 kg)
Weight - kg612.35
Weight - kg40.82
Weight - lbs.135
Weight - lbs.9
Width [transom] - Detail83 in. (2.1 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detail32 in. (.81 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]15 in. (.38 m)
Length - Feet18.25
Length - Feet11
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detail11 ft. 10 in. (3.6 m)
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Meters3.61
Length overall - Inches219
Length overall - Inches142
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail16 in. (.41 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters40.64
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches16
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters3.6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches1
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness.043 in. (.109 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 max3 hp (2 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity335 lbs. (151 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (506 kg)
Maximum people2
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer with swing tongue
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 7 in. (6.9 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available