Lowe FS185 2011 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe FS185 2011
2011
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VS
Lowe RV160SC 2011 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe RV160SC 2011
2011
View full specs →

Lowe FS185 2011 vs Lowe RV160SC 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Lowe FS185 2011 against a modified vee Lowe RV160SC 2011 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 RV160SC 2011 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe RV160SC 2011 tips the scales at 704 lbs — 569 lbs less than the Lowe FS185 2011 at 135 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 100-hp advantage over the Lowe RV160SC 2011's 50-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 RV160SC 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 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 RV160SC 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
MakeLowe
MakeLowe
ModelFS185
ModelRV160SC
Model Year2011
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam76.5 in. (1.94 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters1.96
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches76.5
Weight - Detail1,350 lbs. (612 kg)
Weight - Detail704 lbs. (319 kg)
Weight - kg612.35
Weight - kg319.33
Weight - lbs.135
Weight - lbs.704
Width [transom] - Detail83 in. (2.1 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detail52 in. (1.32 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. (0.51 m)
Length - Feet18.25
Length - Feet16
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. (4.88 m)
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Inches219
Length overall - Inches192
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail19.5 in. (0.50 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters50.8
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches19.5
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness0.100 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
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp (111 kW) 9.9 hp (7.5 kW) Kicker motor
Engine max50 hp (37 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (506 kg)
Maximum people4 / 550 lbs. (249 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer with swing tongue
Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer with swing tongue
Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 7 in. (6.9 m)
Trailer - Length over all16 ft. (4.9 m)
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available

Lowe FS185 2011 vs Lowe RV160SC 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe FS185 2011 or the Lowe RV160SC 2011?
The Lowe FS185 2011 is the longer of the two at 18,3 feet overall. The Lowe RV160SC 2011 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 2,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe FS185 2011 or the Lowe RV160SC 2011?
For trailering, the Lowe FS185 2011 has the edge at 135 lbs dry weight versus 704 lbs for the Lowe RV160SC 2011. 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 FS185 2011 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe RV160SC 2011 tops out at 50 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 FS185 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe RV160SC 2011 is certified for 4. 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 FS185 2011 measures 95" wide, compared to 77" for the Lowe RV160SC 2011. 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.
Are the Lowe FS185 2011 and Lowe RV160SC 2011 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Lowe FS185 2011 and the Lowe RV160SC 2011 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.