Lowe R1860VT 2006 vs Lowe ST190 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Lowe R1860VT 2006 or the Lowe ST190 2011?

The Lowe ST190 2011 is the longer of the two at 18,7 feet overall. The Lowe R1860VT 2006 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 0,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe R1860VT 2006 or the Lowe ST190 2011?

For trailering, the Lowe R1860VT 2006 has the edge at 57 lbs dry weight versus 106 lbs for the Lowe ST190 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 ST190 2011 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe R1860VT 2006 tops out at 80 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 R1860VT 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe ST190 2011 is certified for 5. 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 ST190 2011 measures 85" wide, compared to 81" for the Lowe R1860VT 2006. 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 R1860VT 2006 and Lowe ST190 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe R1860VT 2006 and the Lowe ST190 2011 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 R1860VT 2006 vs Lowe ST190 2011

Lowe

Lowe R1860VT 2006

2006

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Lowe

Lowe ST190 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lowe R1860VT 2006 vs Lowe ST190 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Lowe R1860VT 2006 vs Lowe ST190 2011 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe R1860VT 2006 at 18,0 ft versus Lowe ST190 2011 at 18,7 ft. At 57 lbs and 106 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Lowe ST190 2011 has a 35-hp advantage over the Lowe R1860VT 2006'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 R1860VT 2006 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe ST190 2011 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe R1860VT 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe R1860VT 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe ST190 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeLowe

ModelR1860VT

ModelST19

Model Year2006

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam81 in. (2.05 m)

Beam85 in. (2.15 m)

Beam - Meters2.06

Beam - Meters2.16

Beam - Inches81

Beam - Inches85

Depth - Detail21.5 in. (.55 m)

Depth - Detail21 in. (0.53 m)

Depth - Centimeters55.88

Depth - Centimeters53.34

Depth - Inches21.5

Depth - Inches21

Weight - Detail570 lbs. (258 kg)

Weight - Detail1,060 lbs. (481 kg)

Weight - kg258.55

Weight - kg480.81

Weight - lbs.57

Weight - lbs.106

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

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

Height [transom]20 in. (.50 m)

Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)

Length - Meters5.49

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feet18.67

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in. (5.49 m)

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in. (5.69 m)

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters5.69

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches224

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail12 in. (0.30 m)

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.3

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches12

Body / Hull

Hull thickness.100 in. (.25 cm)

Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine maxRemote: 80 hp (60 kW) Tiller: 50 hp (37 kW)

Engine max115 hp (86 kW)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal2

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,362 lbs. (618 kg)

Maximum capacity1,400 lbs. (635 kg)

Maximum people6

Maximum people5 / 660 lbs. (299 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 11 in. (6.68 m) with tongue in

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width89 in. (2.26 m)

Lowe R1860VT 2006 vs Lowe ST190 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe R1860VT 2006 or the Lowe ST190 2011?

The Lowe ST190 2011 is the longer of the two at 18,7 feet overall. The Lowe R1860VT 2006 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 0,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe R1860VT 2006 or the Lowe ST190 2011?

For trailering, the Lowe R1860VT 2006 has the edge at 57 lbs dry weight versus 106 lbs for the Lowe ST190 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 ST190 2011 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe R1860VT 2006 tops out at 80 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 R1860VT 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe ST190 2011 is certified for 5. 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 ST190 2011 measures 85" wide, compared to 81" for the Lowe R1860VT 2006. 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 R1860VT 2006 and Lowe ST190 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe R1860VT 2006 and the Lowe ST190 2011 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 R1860VT 2006 full specs ← Lowe ST190 2011 full specs