Lowe R1860CJ 2011 vs Lowe V1260 HD 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Lowe R1860CJ 2011 or the Lowe V1260 HD 2013?

The Lowe R1860CJ 2011 is the longer of the two at 18,4 feet overall. The Lowe V1260 HD 2013 comes in at 12,3 feet, making it roughly 6,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe R1860CJ 2011 or the Lowe V1260 HD 2013?

For trailering, the Lowe V1260 HD 2013 has the edge at 27 lbs dry weight versus 962 lbs for the Lowe R1860CJ 2011. 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Lowe R1860CJ 2011 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe V1260 HD 2013 tops out at 20 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Lowe R1860CJ 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe V1260 HD 2013 is certified for 3. 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Lowe R1860CJ 2011 measures 84" wide, compared to 6" for the Lowe V1260 HD 2013. 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.

Q: Are the Lowe R1860CJ 2011 and Lowe V1260 HD 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe R1860CJ 2011 and the Lowe V1260 HD 2013 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.

Boat Comparison

Lowe R1860CJ 2011 vs Lowe V1260 HD 2013

Lowe

Lowe R1860CJ 2011

2011

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Lowe

Lowe V1260 HD 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lowe R1860CJ 2011 vs Lowe V1260 HD 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a tunnel Lowe R1860CJ 2011 against a modified vee Lowe V1260 HD 2013 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 R1860CJ 2011 measures 18,4 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 6,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe V1260 HD 2013 at 12,3 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe R1860CJ 2011 tips the scales at 962 lbs — 935 lbs more than the Lowe V1260 HD 2013 at 27 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 90 hp, the Lowe R1860CJ 2011 has a 70-hp advantage over the Lowe V1260 HD 2013's 20-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 2011 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe V1260 HD 2013 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe R1860CJ 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe R1860CJ 2011 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 V1260 HD 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeLowe

ModelR1860CJ

ModelV1260 HD

Model Year2011

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam83.5 in. (2.12 m)

Beam60 in. (1.52 m)

Beam - Meters2.13

Beam - Meters1.52

Beam - Inches83.5

Beam - Inches6

Depth - Detail25 in. (0.64 m)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters63.5

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches25

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail962 lbs. (436 kg)

Weight - Detail270 lbs. (122.5 kg)

Weight - kg436.36

Weight - kg122.47

Weight - lbs.962

Weight - lbs.27

Width [transom] - Detail60 in. (1.52 m) bottom

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)

Height [transom]15 in. (38.1 m)

Length - Feet18.42

Length - Feet12.33

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in. (5.61 m)

Length overall - Detail12 ft. 4 in. (3.76 m)

Length overall - Meters5.61

Length overall - Meters3.76

Length overall - Inches221

Length overall - Inches148

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thickness0.110 in. (2.8 mm)

Hull thickness0.090 in. (2.3 mm)

Hull typeTunnel

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal2

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max90 hp (67 kW)

Engine max20 hp (14.9 kW)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,680 lbs. (762 kg)

Maximum capacity657 lbs. (298 kg)

Maximum people7 / 1,078 lbs. (489 kg)

Maximum people3 / 423 lbs. (191 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer with swing tongue

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 2 in. (6.45 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Lowe R1860CJ 2011 vs Lowe V1260 HD 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe R1860CJ 2011 or the Lowe V1260 HD 2013?

The Lowe R1860CJ 2011 is the longer of the two at 18,4 feet overall. The Lowe V1260 HD 2013 comes in at 12,3 feet, making it roughly 6,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe R1860CJ 2011 or the Lowe V1260 HD 2013?

For trailering, the Lowe V1260 HD 2013 has the edge at 27 lbs dry weight versus 962 lbs for the Lowe R1860CJ 2011. 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 R1860CJ 2011 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe V1260 HD 2013 tops out at 20 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 R1860CJ 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe V1260 HD 2013 is certified for 3. 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 R1860CJ 2011 measures 84" wide, compared to 6" for the Lowe V1260 HD 2013. 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 R1860CJ 2011 and Lowe V1260 HD 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe R1860CJ 2011 and the Lowe V1260 HD 2013 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.

← Lowe R1860CJ 2011 full specs ← Lowe V1260 HD 2013 full specs