Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Larson Cabrio 330 Day Cruiser 2011 vs Larson LXi 288 I/O 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Larson Cabrio 330 Day Cruiser 2011 against a modified vee Larson LXi 288 I/O 2012 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Larson Cabrio 330 Day Cruiser 2011 at 32,0 ft versus Larson LXi 288 I/O 2012 at 29,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Larson LXi 288 I/O 2012 tips the scales at 597 lbs — 472 lbs less than the Larson Cabrio 330 Day Cruiser 2011 at 125 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 320 hp, the Larson Cabrio 330 Day Cruiser 2011 has a 317-hp advantage over the Larson LXi 288 I/O 2012's 3-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Larson Cabrio 330 Day Cruiser 2011 carries 24 gallons versus 1 gallons in the Larson LXi 288 I/O 2012. 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 330 Day Cruiser 2011 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Larson LXi 288 I/O 2012 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Larson Cabrio 330 Day Cruiser 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Larson Cabrio 330 Day Cruiser 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 32,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson LXi 288 I/O 2012 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
ModelCabrio 330 Day Cruiser
ModelLXi 288 I/O
Model Year2011
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam11 ft. 6 in. (3.51 m)
Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)
Beam - Meters3.51
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Inches138
Beam - Inches108
Bridge clearance - Detail9 ft. 4 in. (2.84 m) with arch
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.84
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches112
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise18°
Deadrise24°
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86.4 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail39 in. (99.1 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters0.99
Draft [max] - Inches34
Draft [max] - Inches39
Weight - Detail12,500 lbs. (5,670 kg)
Weight - Detail5,970 lbs. (2,687 kg) with base engine (5.0L)
Weight - kg5669.9
Weight - kg2707.94
Weight - lbs.125
Weight - lbs.597
Length - Feet32
Length - Feet29.17
Length overall - Detail32 ft. (9.75 m) with pulpit
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 2 in. (8.69 m)
Length overall - Meters9.75
Length overall - Meters8.89
Length overall - Inches384
Length overall - Inches35
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialComposite
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser 5.0L MPI BIII
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail240 gal. (908 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail100 gal. (379 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters908.5
Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Fuel tank capacity - Gal1
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Horsepower260 hp
Horsepower3
Engine max320 hp
Engine maxnot available
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMerCruiser (catalyst compliant) (mandatory in U.S.)
Engine modelnot available
Engine model350 Mag MPI EC BIII
Operational Info
Headroom6 ft. 3 in. (1.91 m) in cabin
Headroomnot available
Water capacity46 gal. (174 l)
Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail37 gal. (140 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail12.5 gal. (47 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters140.06
Holding tank capacity - Liters49.21
Holding tank capacity - Gal37
Holding tank capacity - Gal12.5
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,850 lbs. (840 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all34 ft. 9 in. (10.59 m)