When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lowe R1860CJ 2009 and the Lowe ST190 2009 are modified vee designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe R1860CJ 2009 at 18,0 ft versus Lowe ST190 2009 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe R1860CJ 2009 tips the scales at 962 lbs — 856 lbs more than the Lowe ST190 2009 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 ST190 2009 has a 25-hp advantage over the Lowe R1860CJ 2009's 90-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 R1860CJ 2009 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe ST190 2009 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe R1860CJ 2009 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe ST190 2009 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Lowe R1860CJ 2009. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe R1860CJ 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe ST190 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.