Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FS185 2012 vs Lowe L1852MT Jon Boat 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Lowe FS185 2012 against a modified vee Lowe L1852MT Jon Boat 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 2012 at 18,3 ft versus Lowe L1852MT Jon Boat 2008 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe L1852MT Jon Boat 2008 tips the scales at 475 lbs — 340 lbs less than the Lowe FS185 2012 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 2012 has a 105-hp advantage over the Lowe L1852MT Jon Boat 2008's 45-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 2012 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe L1852MT Jon Boat 2008 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe FS185 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe FS185 2012 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 L1852MT Jon Boat 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelFS185
ModelL1852MT Jon Boat
Model Year2012
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam75 in. (1.9 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters1.91
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches75
Weight - Detail1,350 lbs. (612 kg)
Weight - Detail475 lbs. (216 kg)
Weight - kg612.35
Weight - kg215.46
Weight - lbs.135
Weight - lbs.475
Width [transom] - Detail83 in. (2.11 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detail52 in. (1.32 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 - Feet18
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. (5.48 m)
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Inches219
Length overall - Inches216
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail21 in. (.53 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches21
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.48
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness.072 in. (1.83 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 (7.4 kW) Kicker motor
Engine maxTiller: 45 hp (33 kW) Remote: 65 hp (48 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity1,375 lbs. (624 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (506 kg)
Maximum people6 / 815 lbs. (370 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available