Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 vs Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 or the Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004?

For trailering, the Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004 has the edge at 1 176 lbs dry weight versus 2 375 lbs for the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008. 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 Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 is rated to a maximum of 190 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004 tops out at 150 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 Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004 is certified for 6. 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 Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 88" for the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008. 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 or the Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004?

The Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004 has the bigger tank at 50 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008. That 27-gallon difference translates to roughly 81–135 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 and Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 and the Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004 are built by Larson. 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

Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 vs Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004

Larson

Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008

2008

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Larson

Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 vs Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 vs Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 190 hp, the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 has a 40-hp advantage over the Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004's 150-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004 carries 50 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 8 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004 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

MakeLarson

Model180 Sport I/O

ModelEscape 204 O/B

Model Year2008

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 4 in. (2.24 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in.

Beam - Meters2.24

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches88

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise17℃

Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (78.7 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail28 in.

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Meters0.71

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inches28

Weight - Detail2,375 lbs. (1,080 kg)

Weight - Detail1,176 lbs.

Weight - kg1077.28

Weight - kg533.42

Weight - lbs.2375

Weight - lbs.1176

Length - Meters5.36

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet17

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches7

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 7 in. (5.36 m)

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 2 in.

Length overall - Meters5.36

Length overall - Meters6.15

Length overall - Inches211

Length overall - Inches242

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 4.3 GL

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal23

Fuel tank capacity - Gal50

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeInboard/Outboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max190 hp

Engine max150 HP

Performance

Maximum speed50-52 mph

Maximum speednot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,150 lbs. (522 kg)

Maximum capacity2,200 lbs.

Maximum people8

Maximum peoplenot available

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailCustom EZ Loader

Trailer - Detailnot available

Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 vs Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 or the Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004?

For trailering, the Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004 has the edge at 1 176 lbs dry weight versus 2 375 lbs for the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008. 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 Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 is rated to a maximum of 190 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004 tops out at 150 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 Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004 is certified for 6. 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 Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 88" for the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008. 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 or the Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004?

The Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004 has the bigger tank at 50 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008. That 27-gallon difference translates to roughly 81–135 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 and Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 and the Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004 are built by Larson. 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.

← Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 full specs ← Larson Escape 204 O/B 2004 full specs