Larson Cabrio 290 2005 vs Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Larson Cabrio 290 2005 or the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008?

For trailering, the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008 has the edge at 2 650 lbs dry weight versus 9 000 lbs for the Larson Cabrio 290 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008 has a documented max rating of 225 hp. Engine specifications for the Larson Cabrio 290 2005 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 290 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008 is certified for 6. 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 2005 measures 114" wide, compared to 93" for the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008. 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 2005 or the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008?

The Larson Cabrio 290 2005 has the bigger tank at 100 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008. That 77-gallon difference translates to roughly 231–385 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Larson Cabrio 290 2005 and Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Larson Cabrio 290 2005 and the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 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 290 2005 vs Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008

Larson

Larson Cabrio 290 2005

2005

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Larson

Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Larson Cabrio 290 2005 vs Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Larson Cabrio 290 2005 vs Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 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.

The Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008 tops out at 225 hp. Engine specs for the Larson Cabrio 290 2005 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Larson Cabrio 290 2005 carries 100 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008. 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 Cabrio 290 2005 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Larson Cabrio 290 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Larson Cabrio 290 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 8 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeLarson

ModelCabrio 290

ModelSEi 180 Ski Fish I/O

Model Year2005

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 6 in.

Beam7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m)

Beam - Meters2.9

Beam - Meters2.36

Beam - Inches114

Beam - Inches93

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise21℃

Draft [max] - Detail28 in.

Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (78.7 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.71

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Inches28

Draft [max] - Inches31

Weight - Detail9,000 lbs. apx.

Weight - Detail2,650 lbs. (1,202 kg)

Weight - kg4082.33

Weight - kg1202.02

Weight - lbs.9000

Weight - lbs.2650

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 - Detail17 ft. 6 in. (5.33 m)

Length overall - Meters8.48

Length overall - Meters5.33

Length overall - Inches334

Length overall - Inches210

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters5.33

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet17

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches6

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail100 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54

Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06

Fuel tank capacity - Gal100

Fuel tank capacity - Gal23

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max225 hp

Operational Info

Headroom6 ft. 2 in.

Headroomnot available

Water capacity28 gal.

Water capacitynot available

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people6

Larson Cabrio 290 2005 vs Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Larson Cabrio 290 2005 or the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008?

For trailering, the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008 has the edge at 2 650 lbs dry weight versus 9 000 lbs for the Larson Cabrio 290 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008 has a documented max rating of 225 hp. Engine specifications for the Larson Cabrio 290 2005 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 290 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008 is certified for 6. 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 2005 measures 114" wide, compared to 93" for the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008. 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 2005 or the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008?

The Larson Cabrio 290 2005 has the bigger tank at 100 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008. That 77-gallon difference translates to roughly 231–385 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Larson Cabrio 290 2005 and Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Larson Cabrio 290 2005 and the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 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 290 2005 full specs ← Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2008 full specs