Larson Cabrio 290 2004 vs Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Larson Cabrio 290 2004 or the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005?

For trailering, the Larson Cabrio 290 2004 has the edge at 9 lbs dry weight versus 31 lbs for the Larson Escape 204 I/O 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 290 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Larson Cabrio 290 2004 measures 114" wide, compared to 102" for the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005. 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Larson Cabrio 290 2004 or the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005?

The Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005 has the bigger tank at 5 gallons, versus 1 gallons on the Larson Cabrio 290 2004. That 4-gallon difference translates to roughly 12–20 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Larson Cabrio 290 2004 and Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson Cabrio 290 2004 and the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005 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 290 2004 vs Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005

Larson

Larson Cabrio 290 2004

2004

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Larson

Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Larson Cabrio 290 2004 vs Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Larson Cabrio 290 2004 vs Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005 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 I/O 2005 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Larson Cabrio 290 2004 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 I/O 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson Cabrio 290 2004 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 29

ModelEscape 204 I/O

Model Year2004

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 6 in

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam - Meters2.9

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches114

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise17℃

Draft [max] - Detail28 in

Draft [max] - Detail29 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.71

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Inches28

Draft [max] - Inches29

Weight - Detail9,000 lbs. apx

Weight - Detail3,100 lbs

Weight - kg4082.33

Weight - kg1406.14

Weight - lbs.9

Weight - lbs.31

Height - DetailBridge clearance with Arch: 7 ft. 1 in. Bridge clearance without Arch: 8 ft. 6 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters2.59

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches102

Height - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail27 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 1 in

Length overall - Meters8.48

Length overall - Meters6.12

Length overall - Inches334

Length overall - Inches241

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail100 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail5 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54

Fuel tank capacity - Liters18.93

Fuel tank capacity - Gal1

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Operational Info

Headroom6 ft. 2 in

Headroomnot available

Water capacity28 gal

Water capacitynot available

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,550 lbs

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people11 Persons

Larson Cabrio 290 2004 vs Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Larson Cabrio 290 2004 or the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005?

For trailering, the Larson Cabrio 290 2004 has the edge at 9 lbs dry weight versus 31 lbs for the Larson Escape 204 I/O 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 290 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Larson Cabrio 290 2004 measures 114" wide, compared to 102" for the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005. 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 290 2004 or the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005?

The Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005 has the bigger tank at 5 gallons, versus 1 gallons on the Larson Cabrio 290 2004. That 4-gallon difference translates to roughly 12–20 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Larson Cabrio 290 2004 and Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson Cabrio 290 2004 and the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005 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 290 2004 full specs ← Larson Escape 204 I/O 2005 full specs