Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FS185 2013 vs Lowe R1655D 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Lowe FS185 2013 vs Lowe R1655D 2005 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 2013 measures 18,4 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 3,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe R1655D 2005 at 15,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe R1655D 2005 tips the scales at 435 lbs — 418 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 70-hp advantage over the Lowe R1655D 2005's 80-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 R1655D 2005 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 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 R1655D 2005 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
Model Year2013
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam96 in. (2.44 m)
Beam75 in. (1.9 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters1.91
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches75
Weight - Detail1,700 lbs. (771.1 kg)
Weight - Detail435 lbs. (197 kg)
Weight - kg771.11
Weight - kg197.31
Weight - lbs.17
Weight - lbs.435
Width [transom] - Detail83 in. (2.11 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detail55 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. (.50 m)
Length - Feet18.42
Length - Feet15
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detail15 ft. 10 in. (4.82 m)
Length overall - Meters5.61
Length overall - Meters4.83
Length overall - Inches221
Length overall - Inches19
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail22.5 in. (.57 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters58.42
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches22.5
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters4.82
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches1
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness.100 in. (.25 cm)
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
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
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp (111 kW) 9.9 hp (7.4 kW) Kicker motor
Engine max80 hp (60 kw) (NET JET HP RATING APPLIES AGAINST CAPACITY PLATE, NOT POWER HEAD HP)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity1,352 lbs. (613 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (506 kg)
Maximum people6
Trailer Info
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available