Larson 180 Sport 2009 vs Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Larson 180 Sport 2009 or the Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005?

For trailering, the Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005 has the edge at 36 lbs dry weight versus 2 375 lbs for the Larson 180 Sport 2009. 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Larson 180 Sport 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005 is certified for 12. 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 214 I/O 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 88" for the Larson 180 Sport 2009. 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 2009 or the Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005?

The Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005 has the bigger tank at 58 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Larson 180 Sport 2009. That 35-gallon difference translates to roughly 105–175 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Larson 180 Sport 2009 and Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson 180 Sport 2009 and the Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005 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 2009 vs Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005

Larson

Larson 180 Sport 2009

2009

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Larson

Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Larson 180 Sport 2009 vs Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Larson 180 Sport 2009 vs Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Larson 180 Sport 2009 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson 180 Sport 2009 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

ModelEscape 214 I/O

Model Year2009

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 4 in. (2.24 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam - Meters2.24

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches88

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise16℃

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

Draft [max] - Detail32 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Meters0.81

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inches32

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

Weight - Detail3,600 lbs

Weight - kg1077.28

Weight - kg1632.93

Weight - lbs.2375

Weight - lbs.36

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 - Detail21 ft. 3 in

Length overall - Meters5.36

Length overall - Meters6.48

Length overall - Inches211

Length overall - Inches255

Height - Detailnot available

Height - DetailBridge Clearance: 5 ft. 11 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.8

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches71

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail58 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06

Fuel tank capacity - Liters219.55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal23

Fuel tank capacity - Gal58

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,150 lbs. (522 kg)

Maximum capacity1,925 lbs

Maximum people8

Maximum people12 Persons

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity5 gal

Larson 180 Sport 2009 vs Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Larson 180 Sport 2009 or the Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005?

For trailering, the Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005 has the edge at 36 lbs dry weight versus 2 375 lbs for the Larson 180 Sport 2009. 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Larson 180 Sport 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005 is certified for 12. 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 214 I/O 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 88" for the Larson 180 Sport 2009. 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 2009 or the Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005?

The Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005 has the bigger tank at 58 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Larson 180 Sport 2009. That 35-gallon difference translates to roughly 105–175 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Larson 180 Sport 2009 and Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson 180 Sport 2009 and the Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005 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 2009 full specs ← Larson Escape 214 I/O 2005 full specs