When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Larson Cabrio 350 2008 and the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2012 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 350 2008 measures 36,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 12,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2012 at 23,5 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2012 tips the scales at 444 lbs — 430 lbs less than the Larson Cabrio 350 2008 at 14 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 330 hp, the Larson Cabrio 350 2008 has a 304-hp advantage over the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2012's 26-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 LXi 238 I/O 2012 carries 56 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Larson Cabrio 350 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.