Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 vs Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 or the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013?

The Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 is the longer of the two at 18,7 feet overall. The Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 1,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 or the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013?

For trailering, the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 has the edge at 204 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 LX 185 S I/O 2013 tops out at 135 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 LX 185 S I/O 2013 is certified for 7. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 and Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 share an 7 ft. 4 in. (2.24 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 or the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013?

The Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 has the bigger tank at 23 gallons, versus 19 gallons on the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013. That 4-gallon difference translates to roughly 12–20 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 LX 185 S I/O 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 and the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 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 LX 185 S I/O 2013

Larson

Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008

2008

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Larson

Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013

2013

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 vs Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 against a deep vee Larson LX 185 S I/O 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 at 17,0 ft versus Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 at 18,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 tips the scales at 2 375 lbs — 2 171 lbs more than the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 at 204 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 190 hp, the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 has a 55-hp advantage over the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013's 135-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 180 Sport I/O 2008 carries 23 gallons versus 19 gallons in the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013. 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 LX 185 S I/O 2013 caps at 7. 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 LX 185 S I/O 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeLarson

Model180 Sport I/O

ModelLX 185 S I/O

Model Year2008

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 4 in. (2.24 m)

Beam - Meters2.24

Beam - Inches88

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise21°

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

Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (79 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Inches31

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

Weight - Detail2,040 lbs. (925 kg) with base engine (3.0L)

Weight - kg1077.28

Weight - kg925.33

Weight - lbs.2375

Weight - lbs.204

Length - Meters5.36

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet17

Length - Feet18.67

Length - Inches7

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in. (5.96 m)

Length overall - Meters5.36

Length overall - Meters5.69

Length overall - Inches211

Length overall - Inches224

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialComposite

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 4.3 GL

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail19 gal. (72 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06

Fuel tank capacity - Liters71.92

Fuel tank capacity - Gal23

Fuel tank capacity - Gal19

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard/Outboard

Drive typeI/O

Engine max190 hp

Engine maxnot available

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMerCruiser Catalyst Compliant (mandatory in U.S.)

Engine modelnot available

Engine model3.0 MPI EC

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower135

Performance

Maximum speed50-52 mph

Maximum speednot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,150 lbs. (522 kg)

Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)

Maximum people8

Maximum people7

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailCustom EZ Loader

Trailer - DetailLX 3000 DB with swing tongue & chrome wheels

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 4 in. (6.5 m)

Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 vs Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 or the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013?

The Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 is the longer of the two at 18,7 feet overall. The Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 1,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 or the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013?

For trailering, the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 has the edge at 204 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 LX 185 S I/O 2013 tops out at 135 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 LX 185 S I/O 2013 is certified for 7. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 and Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 share an 7 ft. 4 in. (2.24 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 or the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013?

The Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 has the bigger tank at 23 gallons, versus 19 gallons on the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013. That 4-gallon difference translates to roughly 12–20 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 and Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 and the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 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 LX 185 S I/O 2013 full specs