Larson Cabrio 274 2011 vs Larson Escape 234 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Larson Cabrio 274 2011 or the Larson Escape 234 2009?

The Larson Cabrio 274 2011 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Larson Escape 234 2009 comes in at 23,0 feet, making it roughly 5,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Larson Cabrio 274 2011 or the Larson Escape 234 2009?

For trailering, the Larson Cabrio 274 2011 has the edge at 6 lbs dry weight versus 44 lbs for the Larson Escape 234 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Larson Cabrio 274 2011 has a documented max rating of 400 hp. Engine specifications for the Larson Escape 234 2009 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Larson Cabrio 274 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson Escape 234 2009 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Larson Cabrio 274 2011 and Larson Escape 234 2009 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m) 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 2011 or the Larson Escape 234 2009?

The Larson Cabrio 274 2011 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 59 gallons on the Larson Escape 234 2009. That 26-gallon difference translates to roughly 78–130 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Larson Cabrio 274 2011 and Larson Escape 234 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson Cabrio 274 2011 and the Larson Escape 234 2009 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 2011 vs Larson Escape 234 2009

Larson

Larson Cabrio 274 2011

2011

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Larson

Larson Escape 234 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Larson Cabrio 274 2011 vs Larson Escape 234 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Larson Cabrio 274 2011 against a modified vee Larson Escape 234 2009 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 274 2011 measures 28,0 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Larson Escape 234 2009 at 23,0 feet (2009). At 6 lbs and 44 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The Larson Cabrio 274 2011 carries a rated maximum of 400 hp. Engine data for the Larson Escape 234 2009 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Larson Cabrio 274 2011 carries 85 gallons versus 59 gallons in the Larson Escape 234 2009. 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 Escape 234 2009 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Larson Cabrio 274 2011 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 234 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Larson Escape 234 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson Cabrio 274 2011 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 234

Model Year2011

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 2 in. (2.13 m) without arch 9 ft. (2.74 m) with arch

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.74

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches108

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise18°

Deadrise16℃

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86.4 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91.4 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail6,000 lbs. (2,722 kg)

Weight - Detail4,400 lbs. (2,000 kg)

Weight - kg2721.55

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - lbs.6

Weight - lbs.44

Length - Feet28

Length - Feet23

Length overall - Detail28 ft. (8.53 m) with pulpit

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 7 in. (7.19 m)

Length overall - Meters8.53

Length overall - Meters7.19

Length overall - Inches336

Length overall - Inches283

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.19

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches7

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMerCruiser 350 Mag MPI BIII

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail85 gal. (322 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail59 gal. (223 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters321.76

Fuel tank capacity - Liters223.34

Fuel tank capacity - Gal85

Fuel tank capacity - Gal59

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Horsepower300 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max400 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Water capacity28 gal. (106 l)

Water capacitynot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters105.99

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal28

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (862 kg)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people12

Larson Cabrio 274 2011 vs Larson Escape 234 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Larson Cabrio 274 2011 or the Larson Escape 234 2009?

The Larson Cabrio 274 2011 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Larson Escape 234 2009 comes in at 23,0 feet, making it roughly 5,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Larson Cabrio 274 2011 or the Larson Escape 234 2009?

For trailering, the Larson Cabrio 274 2011 has the edge at 6 lbs dry weight versus 44 lbs for the Larson Escape 234 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Larson Cabrio 274 2011 has a documented max rating of 400 hp. Engine specifications for the Larson Escape 234 2009 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Larson Cabrio 274 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson Escape 234 2009 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.

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

Both the Larson Cabrio 274 2011 and Larson Escape 234 2009 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m) 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 2011 or the Larson Escape 234 2009?

The Larson Cabrio 274 2011 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 59 gallons on the Larson Escape 234 2009. That 26-gallon difference translates to roughly 78–130 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Larson Cabrio 274 2011 and Larson Escape 234 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson Cabrio 274 2011 and the Larson Escape 234 2009 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 2011 full specs ← Larson Escape 234 2009 full specs