Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 vs Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 or the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013?

The Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 is the longer of the two at 23,5 feet overall. The Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 6,5 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 LXi 238 I/O 2013?

For trailering, the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 has the edge at 2 375 lbs dry weight versus 4 440 lbs for the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013. 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 has a documented max rating of 190 hp. Engine specifications for the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 were not available in our database - check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

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 LXi 238 I/O 2013 is certified for 10. 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 LXi 238 I/O 2013 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 LXi 238 I/O 2013?

The Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 has the bigger tank at 57 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008. That 34-gallon difference translates to roughly 102–170 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 LXi 238 I/O 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 and the Larson LXi 238 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 LXi 238 I/O 2013

Larson

Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008

2008

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Larson

Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 vs Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 is a modified-V design and the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 is a deep-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably 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 Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 measures 23,5 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 6,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 at 17,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 tips the scales at 4 440 lbs - 2 065 lbs less than the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 at 2 375 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 Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 carries a rated maximum of 190 hp. Engine data for the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 wasn't available in our records - check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 carries 57 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 LXi 238 I/O 2013 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 10 passengers and at 23,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeLarson

Model180 Sport I/O

ModelLXi 238 I/O

Model Year2008

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 4 in. (2.24 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.24

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches88

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise22°

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

Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (88.9 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inches35

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

Weight - Detail4,440 lbs. (2,014 kg) with base engine (5.0L)

Weight - kg1077.28

Weight - kg2013.95

Weight - lbs.2375

Weight - lbs.4440

Length - Meters5.36

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet17

Length - Feet23.5

Length - Inches7

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 6 in. (7.16 m)

Length overall - Meters5.36

Length overall - Meters7.16

Length overall - Inches211

Length overall - Inches282

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 - Detail57 gal. (216 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06

Fuel tank capacity - Liters215.77

Fuel tank capacity - Gal23

Fuel tank capacity - Gal57

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard/Outboard

Drive typeI/O

Engine max190 hp

Engine maxnot available

Performance

Maximum speed50-52 mph

Maximum speednot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,150 lbs. (522 kg)

Maximum capacity1,500 lbs. (680 kg)

Maximum people8

Maximum people10

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity12 gal. (45.4 l)

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailCustom EZ Loader

Trailer - DetailLXi 5500 DB with swing tongue, chrome wheels & diamond plated fenders

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all28 ft. 4 in. (8.63 m)

Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 vs Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 or the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013?

The Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 is the longer of the two at 23,5 feet overall. The Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 6,5 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 LXi 238 I/O 2013?

For trailering, the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 has the edge at 2 375 lbs dry weight versus 4 440 lbs for the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013. 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 has a documented max rating of 190 hp. Engine specifications for the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 were not available in our database - check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 is certified for 10. 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 LXi 238 I/O 2013 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 LXi 238 I/O 2013?

The Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 has the bigger tank at 57 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008. That 34-gallon difference translates to roughly 102–170 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 and Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Larson 180 Sport I/O 2008 and the Larson LXi 238 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 LXi 238 I/O 2013 full specs