Larson Cabrio 274 2005 vs Larson Escape 204 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Larson Cabrio 274 2005 or the Larson Escape 204 2008?

For trailering, the Larson Escape 204 2008 has the edge at 3 100 lbs dry weight versus 6 000 lbs for the Larson Cabrio 274 2005. 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 Cabrio 274 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson Escape 204 2008 is certified for 11. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Larson Cabrio 274 2005 and Larson Escape 204 2008 share an 8 ft. 6 in. beam - meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Larson Cabrio 274 2005 or the Larson Escape 204 2008?

The Larson Cabrio 274 2005 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 50 gallons on the Larson Escape 204 2008. 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 Cabrio 274 2005 and Larson Escape 204 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Larson Cabrio 274 2005 and the Larson Escape 204 2008 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 Cabrio 274 2005 vs Larson Escape 204 2008

Larson

Larson Cabrio 274 2005

2005

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Larson

Larson Escape 204 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Larson Cabrio 274 2005 vs Larson Escape 204 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Larson Cabrio 274 2005 vs Larson Escape 204 2008 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 204 2008 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Larson Cabrio 274 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 Escape 204 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Larson Escape 204 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 11 passengers and at 20,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson Cabrio 274 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

ModelCabrio 274

ModelEscape 204

Model Year2005

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in.

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise17℃

Draft [max] - Detail34 in.

Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (73.7 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches29

Weight - Detail6,000 lbs. apx.

Weight - Detail3,100 lbs. (1,406 kg)

Weight - kg2721.55

Weight - kg1406.14

Weight - lbs.6000

Weight - lbs.3100

Height - DetailBridge clearance with Arch: 9 ft. 0 in. Bridge clearance without Arch: 7 ft. 0 in.

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters2.74

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches108

Height - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in.

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 1 in. (6.1 m)

Length overall - Meters8.53

Length overall - Meters6.12

Length overall - Inches336

Length overall - Inches241

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters6.1

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet20

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches1

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail85 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters321.76

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal85

Fuel tank capacity - Gal50

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeInboard/Outboard

Operational Info

Headroom6 ft. 2 in.

Headroomnot available

Water capacity28 gal.

Water capacity5 gal. (19 l)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,550 lbs. (703 kg)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people11

Larson Cabrio 274 2005 vs Larson Escape 204 2008 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Larson Cabrio 274 2005 or the Larson Escape 204 2008?

For trailering, the Larson Escape 204 2008 has the edge at 3 100 lbs dry weight versus 6 000 lbs for the Larson Cabrio 274 2005. 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 Cabrio 274 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson Escape 204 2008 is certified for 11. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Larson Cabrio 274 2005 and Larson Escape 204 2008 share an 8 ft. 6 in. beam - meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Larson Cabrio 274 2005 or the Larson Escape 204 2008?

The Larson Cabrio 274 2005 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 50 gallons on the Larson Escape 204 2008. 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 Cabrio 274 2005 and Larson Escape 204 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Larson Cabrio 274 2005 and the Larson Escape 204 2008 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 Cabrio 274 2005 full specs ← Larson Escape 204 2008 full specs