Larson Cabrio 290 2005 boat specs
Larson
Larson Cabrio 290 2005
2005
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VS
Larson SEi 180 Ski  Fish  2009 boat specs
Larson
Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish 2009
2009
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Larson Cabrio 290 2005 vs Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Larson Cabrio 290 2005 vs Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish 2009 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 Cabrio 290 2005 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish 2009 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 2009 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
MakeLarson
ModelCabrio 29
ModelSEi 180 Ski Fish
Model Year2005
Model Year2009
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.9
Weight - lbs.265
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 - Inches21
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.33
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet17
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches6
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
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 - Gal1
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeI/O
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 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Larson Cabrio 290 2005 or the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish 2009?
For trailering, the Larson Cabrio 290 2005 has the edge at 9 lbs dry weight versus 265 lbs for the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish 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.
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 2009 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 2009. 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 2009?
The Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish 2009 has the bigger tank at 23 gallons, versus 1 gallons on the Larson Cabrio 290 2005. That 22-gallon difference translates to roughly 66–110 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 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Larson Cabrio 290 2005 and the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish 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.