Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FS185 2011 vs Lowe R1960MTC Roughneck 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Lowe FS185 2011 against a modified vee Lowe R1960MTC Roughneck 2008 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 FS185 2011 at 18,3 ft versus Lowe R1960MTC Roughneck 2008 at 19,0 ft. At 135 lbs and 71 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Lowe FS185 2011 has a 45-hp advantage over the Lowe R1960MTC Roughneck 2008's 105-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 R1960MTC Roughneck 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Lowe FS185 2011 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe R1960MTC Roughneck 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe R1960MTC Roughneck 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 19,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe FS185 2011 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
ModelFS185
ModelR1960MTC Roughneck
Model Year2011
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam83 in. (2.1 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters2.11
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches83
Weight - Detail1,350 lbs. (612 kg)
Weight - Detail710 lbs. (322 kg)
Weight - kg612.35
Weight - kg322.05
Weight - lbs.135
Weight - lbs.71
Width [transom] - Detail83 in. (2.1 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detail60 in. (1.52 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]20 in. (.5 m)
Length - Feet18.25
Length - Feet19
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detail19 ft. (5.79 m)
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Meters5.79
Length overall - Inches219
Length overall - Inches228
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail21.5 in. (.55 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters55.88
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches21.5
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.79
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness.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 max105 hp (78 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity1,898 lbs. (861 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (506 kg)
Maximum people8/ 1,158 lbs. (538 kg)
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 all21 ft. 2 in. (6.45 m)
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available