Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Larson 238 LXi 2010 vs Larson Cabrio 857 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Larson 238 LXi 2010 against a deep vee Larson Cabrio 857 2012 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Larson Cabrio 857 2012 measures 28,1 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Larson 238 LXi 2010 at 23,5 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Larson Cabrio 857 2012 tips the scales at 665 lbs — 221 lbs less than the Larson 238 LXi 2010 at 444 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 300 hp, the Larson 238 LXi 2010 has a 297-hp advantage over the Larson Cabrio 857 2012's 3-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 Cabrio 857 2012 carries 84 gallons versus 56 gallons in the Larson 238 LXi 2010. 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 Cabrio 857 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson 238 LXi 2010 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Larson Cabrio 857 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Larson Cabrio 857 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 28,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson 238 LXi 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model238 LXi
ModelCabrio 857
Model Year201
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.69
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches106
Deadrise22°
Deadrise20°
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (88.9 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91.4 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - Detail4,440 lbs. (2,010 kg)
Weight - Detail6,650 lbs. (3,016 kg)
Weight - kg2013.95
Weight - kg3016.39
Weight - lbs.444
Weight - lbs.665
Length - Feet23.5
Length - Feet28.08
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 6 in. (7.16 m)
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 1 in. (8.57 m) with pulpit
Length overall - Meters7.16
Length overall - Meters8.56
Length overall - Inches282
Length overall - Inches337
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail9 ft. 2 in. (2.8 m) with arch 7 ft. 10 in. (2.39 m) without arch
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.79
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches11
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialComposite
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail84 gal. (318 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98
Fuel tank capacity - Liters317.97
Fuel tank capacity - Gal56
Fuel tank capacity - Gal84
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max300 hp
Engine maxnot available
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMerCruiser (catalyst complaint) (mandatory in U.S.)
Engine modelnot available
Engine model350 Mag MPI EC BIII
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower3
Operational Info
Water capacity12 gal. (45.4 l)
Water capacity19 gal. (72 l)
Maximum capacity1,500 lbs. (680 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people1
Maximum peoplenot available
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 3 in. (1.91 m) in cabin
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail12 gal. (45 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters45.42
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal12
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all28 ft. 4 in. (8.63 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available