Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FS185 2013 vs Lowe L1448 Jon Boat 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Lowe FS185 2013 against a flat Lowe L1448 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe FS185 2013 measures 18,4 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 4,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe L1448 Jon Boat 2008 at 14,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe L1448 Jon Boat 2008 tips the scales at 365 lbs — 348 lbs less than the Lowe FS185 2013 at 17 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 2013 has a 125-hp advantage over the Lowe L1448 Jon Boat 2008'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 2013 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe L1448 Jon Boat 2008 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 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe FS185 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe L1448 Jon Boat 2008 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
ModelFS185
ModelL1448 Jon Boat
Model Year2013
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam96 in. (2.44 m)
Beam70 in. (1.77 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters1.78
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches7
Weight - Detail1,700 lbs. (771.1 kg)
Weight - Detail365 lbs. (165 kg)
Weight - kg771.11
Weight - kg165.56
Weight - lbs.17
Weight - lbs.365
Width [transom] - Detail83 in. (2.11 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detail48 in. (1.2 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. or 20 in. (.38 m or .5 m)
Length - Feet18.42
Length - Feet14
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detail14 ft. (4.27 m)
Length overall - Meters5.61
Length overall - Meters4.27
Length overall - Inches221
Length overall - Inches168
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail19 in. (.48 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters48.26
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches19
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters4.27
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness.072 in. (1.83 mm)
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeFlat
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail32 gal. (121.1 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters121.13
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal32
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp (111 kW) 9.9 hp (7.4 kW) Kicker motor
Engine max25 hp (19 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity825 lbs. (374 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (506 kg)
Maximum people4 / 500 lbs. (227 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available