When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Larson Cabrio 290 2009 and the Larson LXi 228 I/O 2006 are modified vee designs with fiberglass 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 290 2009 measures 27,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Larson LXi 228 I/O 2006 at 22,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Larson LXi 228 I/O 2006 tips the scales at 3 495 lbs — 3 486 lbs less than the Larson Cabrio 290 2009 at 9 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.