When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Larson Cabrio 220 2008 and the Larson LX 860 O/B 2012 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Larson Cabrio 220 2008 measures 22,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 3,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Larson LX 860 O/B 2012 at 18,5 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Larson LX 860 O/B 2012 tips the scales at 178 lbs — 136 lbs less than the Larson Cabrio 220 2008 at 42 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 320 hp, the Larson Cabrio 220 2008 has a 170-hp advantage over the Larson LX 860 O/B 2012's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 6 gal and 3 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Larson LX 860 O/B 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson Cabrio 220 2008 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Larson LX 860 O/B 2012 could be the deciding factor.