Lowe L1648 2012 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe L1648 2012
2012
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VS
Lowe Stinger 18 HP 2012 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe Stinger 18 HP 2012
2012
View full specs →

Lowe L1648 2012 vs Lowe Stinger 18 HP 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a flat Lowe L1648 2012 against a modified vee Lowe Stinger 18 HP 2012 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 L1648 2012 at 15,8 ft versus Lowe Stinger 18 HP 2012 at 18,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe L1648 2012 tips the scales at 275 lbs — 169 lbs more than the Lowe Stinger 18 HP 2012 at 106 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 115 hp, the Lowe Stinger 18 HP 2012 has a 80-hp advantage over the Lowe L1648 2012's 35-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

Both boats are rated for 4 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Lowe Stinger 18 HP 2012 at 18,2 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Lowe L1648 2012 at 15,8 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.
General Boat Info
MakeLowe
MakeLowe
ModelL1648
ModelStinger 18 HP
Model Year2012
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam70 in. (1.78 m)
Beam85 in. (2.16 m)
Beam - Meters1.78
Beam - Meters2.16
Beam - Inches7
Beam - Inches85
Depth - Detail21 in. (0.53 m)
Depth - Detail24 in. (0.61 m)
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Centimeters60.96
Depth - Inches21
Depth - Inches24
Weight - Detail275 lbs. (125 kg)
Weight - Detail1,060 lbs. (481 kg)
Weight - kg124.74
Weight - kg480.81
Weight - lbs.275
Weight - lbs.106
Width [transom] - Detail48 in. (1.2 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detail60 in. (1.42 m) bottom
Height [transom]15 in. (0.38 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length - Feet15.75
Length - Feet18.17
Length overall - Detail15 ft. 9 in. (4.8 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 2 in. (5.54 m)
Length overall - Meters4.8
Length overall - Meters5.54
Length overall - Inches189
Length overall - Inches218
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.072 in. (1.83 mm)
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull typeFlat
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max35 hp (26 kW)
Engine max115 hp (86 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail19 gal. (72 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters71.92
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal19
Operational Info
Maximum capacity973 lbs. (441 kg)
Maximum capacity1,340 lbs. (608 kg)
Maximum people4 / 555 lbs. (252 kg)
Maximum people4 / 600 lbs. (272 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width89 in. (2.26 m)

Lowe L1648 2012 vs Lowe Stinger 18 HP 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe L1648 2012 or the Lowe Stinger 18 HP 2012?
The Lowe Stinger 18 HP 2012 is the longer of the two at 18,2 feet overall. The Lowe L1648 2012 comes in at 15,8 feet, making it roughly 2,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe L1648 2012 or the Lowe Stinger 18 HP 2012?
For trailering, the Lowe Stinger 18 HP 2012 has the edge at 106 lbs dry weight versus 275 lbs for the Lowe L1648 2012. 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 Stinger 18 HP 2012 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe L1648 2012 tops out at 35 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 L1648 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Lowe Stinger 18 HP 2012 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 Stinger 18 HP 2012 measures 85" wide, compared to 7" for the Lowe L1648 2012. 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 L1648 2012 and Lowe Stinger 18 HP 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Lowe L1648 2012 and the Lowe Stinger 18 HP 2012 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.