Larson 218 LXi 2010 vs Larson Cabrio 290 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Larson 218 LXi 2010 or the Larson Cabrio 290 2005?

For trailering, the Larson Cabrio 290 2005 has the edge at 9 lbs dry weight versus 3 735 lbs for the Larson 218 LXi 2010. 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 218 LXi 2010 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Larson Cabrio 290 2005 is certified for 8. 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 Cabrio 290 2005 measures 114" wide, compared to 99" for the Larson 218 LXi 2010. 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 218 LXi 2010 or the Larson Cabrio 290 2005?

The Larson 218 LXi 2010 has the bigger tank at 34 gallons, versus 1 gallons on the Larson Cabrio 290 2005. That 33-gallon difference translates to roughly 99–165 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Larson 218 LXi 2010 and Larson Cabrio 290 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson 218 LXi 2010 and the Larson Cabrio 290 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 218 LXi 2010 vs Larson Cabrio 290 2005

Larson

Larson 218 LXi 2010

2010

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Larson

Larson Cabrio 290 2005

2005

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Larson 218 LXi 2010 vs Larson Cabrio 290 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Larson 218 LXi 2010 vs Larson Cabrio 290 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 218 LXi 2010 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Larson Cabrio 290 2005 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Larson 218 LXi 2010 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Larson 218 LXi 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 21,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson Cabrio 290 2005 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

Model218 LXi

ModelCabrio 29

Model Year201

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)

Beam9 ft. 6 in

Beam - Meters2.51

Beam - Meters2.9

Beam - Inches99

Beam - Inches114

Deadrise22°

Deadrise20℃

Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (83.8 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail28 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Meters0.71

Draft [max] - Inches33

Draft [max] - Inches28

Weight - Detail3,735 lbs. (1,690 lbs.)

Weight - Detail9,000 lbs. apx

Weight - kg1694.17

Weight - kg4082.33

Weight - lbs.3735

Weight - lbs.9

Length - Feet21.5

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 6 in. (6.55 m)

Length overall - Detail27 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Meters6.55

Length overall - Meters8.48

Length overall - Inches258

Length overall - Inches334

Height - Detailnot available

Height - DetailBridge clearance with Arch: 7 ft. 1 in. Bridge clearance without Arch: 8 ft. 6 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters2.59

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches102

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail34 gal. (129 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail100 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters128.7

Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54

Fuel tank capacity - Gal34

Fuel tank capacity - Gal1

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,450 lbs. (658 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people9

Maximum peoplenot available

Headroomnot available

Headroom6 ft. 2 in

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity28 gal

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all27 ft. 0 in. (8.23 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Larson 218 LXi 2010 vs Larson Cabrio 290 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Larson 218 LXi 2010 or the Larson Cabrio 290 2005?

For trailering, the Larson Cabrio 290 2005 has the edge at 9 lbs dry weight versus 3 735 lbs for the Larson 218 LXi 2010. 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 218 LXi 2010 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Larson Cabrio 290 2005 is certified for 8. 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 Cabrio 290 2005 measures 114" wide, compared to 99" for the Larson 218 LXi 2010. 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 218 LXi 2010 or the Larson Cabrio 290 2005?

The Larson 218 LXi 2010 has the bigger tank at 34 gallons, versus 1 gallons on the Larson Cabrio 290 2005. That 33-gallon difference translates to roughly 99–165 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Larson 218 LXi 2010 and Larson Cabrio 290 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson 218 LXi 2010 and the Larson Cabrio 290 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 218 LXi 2010 full specs ← Larson Cabrio 290 2005 full specs