Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Larson Cabrio 857 2012 vs Larson FX 1850 DC O/B 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Larson Cabrio 857 2012 against a modified vee Larson FX 1850 DC O/B 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Larson Cabrio 857 2012 measures 28,1 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 9,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Larson FX 1850 DC O/B 2012 at 18,5 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Larson Cabrio 857 2012 tips the scales at 665 lbs — 483 lbs more than the Larson FX 1850 DC O/B 2012 at 182 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 175 hp, the Larson FX 1850 DC O/B 2012 has a 172-hp advantage over the Larson Cabrio 857 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 857 2012 carries 84 gallons versus 35 gallons in the Larson FX 1850 DC O/B 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 857 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson FX 1850 DC O/B 2012 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Larson Cabrio 857 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Larson Cabrio 857 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 28,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson FX 1850 DC O/B 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelCabrio 857
ModelFX 1850 DC O/B
Model Year2012
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m)
Beam7 ft. 8 in. (2.39 m)
Beam - Meters2.69
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches106
Beam - Inches92
Bridge clearance - Detail9 ft. 2 in. (2.8 m) with arch 7 ft. 10 in. (2.39 m) without arch
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.79
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches11
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise20°
Deadrise21°
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91.4 cm)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail6,650 lbs. (3,016 kg)
Weight - Detail1,820 lbs. (819 kg)
Weight - kg3016.39
Weight - kg825.54
Weight - lbs.665
Weight - lbs.182
Length - Feet28.08
Length - Feet18.5
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 1 in. (8.57 m) with pulpit
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in. (5.64 m)
Length overall - Meters8.56
Length overall - Meters5.64
Length overall - Inches337
Length overall - Inches222
Body / Hull
Hull materialComposite
Hull materialComposite
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMerCruiser (catalyst complaint) (mandatory in U.S.)
Engine makeMercury
Engine model350 Mag MPI EC BIII
Engine model90ELPT Optimax
Fuel tank capacity - Detail84 gal. (318 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (128 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters317.97
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Gal84
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeOutboard
Horsepower3
Horsepowernot available
Engine maxnot available
Engine max175 hp
Operational Info
Headroom6 ft. 3 in. (1.91 m) in cabin
Headroomnot available
Water capacity19 gal. (72 l)
Water capacitynot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail12 gal. (45 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters45.42
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal12
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,850 lbs. (839 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people7 / 1,200 lbs
Trailer Info
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailCustom color matched FX 3000 DB with swing tongue & chrome wheels
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 8 in. (6.6 m)