Larson Cabrio 285 2013 boat specs
Larson
Larson Cabrio 285 2013
2013
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VS
Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 boat specs
Larson
Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013
2013
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Larson Cabrio 285 2013 vs Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 — Which Deep Vee Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Larson Cabrio 285 2013 and the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 are deep vee designs with composite 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 285 2013 measures 28,1 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 4,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 at 23,5 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Larson Cabrio 285 2013 tips the scales at 665 lbs — 221 lbs more than the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Larson Cabrio 285 2013 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 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 285 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Larson Cabrio 285 2013 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 LXi 238 I/O 2013 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
MakeLarson
MakeLarson
ModelCabrio 285
ModelLXi 238 I/O
Model Year2013
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.69
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches106
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail9 ft. 2 in. (2.8 m) with arch 7 ft. 10 in. (2.39 m) without arch
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.79
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches11
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise20°
Deadrise22°
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91.4 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (88.9 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches35
Weight - Detail6,650 lbs. (3,016 kg) with base engine (350 Mag)
Weight - Detail4,440 lbs. (2,014 kg) with base engine (5.0L)
Weight - kg3016.39
Weight - kg2013.95
Weight - lbs.665
Weight - lbs.444
Length - Feet28.08
Length - Feet23.5
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 1 in. (8.57 m) with pulpit
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 6 in. (7.16 m)
Length overall - Meters8.56
Length overall - Meters7.16
Length overall - Inches337
Length overall - Inches282
Body / Hull
Hull materialComposite
Hull materialComposite
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail76 gal. (287.7 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters287.69
Fuel tank capacity - Liters215.77
Fuel tank capacity - Gal76
Fuel tank capacity - Gal57
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Operational Info
Headroom6 ft. 3 in. (1.91 m) in cabin
Headroomnot available
Water capacity19 gal. (72 l)
Water capacity12 gal. (45.4 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail12 gal. (45 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters45.42
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal12
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,500 lbs. (680 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people1
Trailer Info
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailLXi 5500 DB with swing tongue, chrome wheels & diamond plated fenders
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all28 ft. 4 in. (8.63 m)

Larson Cabrio 285 2013 vs Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Larson Cabrio 285 2013 or the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013?
The Larson Cabrio 285 2013 is the longer of the two at 28,1 feet overall. The Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 comes in at 23,5 feet, making it roughly 4,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Larson Cabrio 285 2013 or the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013?
For trailering, the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 has the edge at 444 lbs dry weight versus 665 lbs for the Larson Cabrio 285 2013. 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 285 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 is certified for 1. 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 285 2013 measures 106" wide, compared to 102" for the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013. 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 Cabrio 285 2013 or the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013?
The Larson Cabrio 285 2013 has the bigger tank at 76 gallons, versus 57 gallons on the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013. That 19-gallon difference translates to roughly 57–95 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Larson Cabrio 285 2013 and Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Larson Cabrio 285 2013 and the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 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.