Larson Cabrio 857 2012 vs Larson LXi 228 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Larson Cabrio 857 2012 or the Larson LXi 228 2005?

For trailering, the Larson Cabrio 857 2012 has the edge at 665 lbs dry weight versus 3 495 lbs for the Larson LXi 228 2005. 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.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Larson Cabrio 857 2012 has a documented max rating of 3 hp. Engine specifications for the Larson LXi 228 2005 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Larson Cabrio 857 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson LXi 228 2005 is certified for 10. 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Larson Cabrio 857 2012 measures 106" wide, compared to 99" for the Larson LXi 228 2005. 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Larson Cabrio 857 2012 or the Larson LXi 228 2005?

The Larson Cabrio 857 2012 has the bigger tank at 84 gallons, versus 35 gallons on the Larson LXi 228 2005. That 49-gallon difference translates to roughly 147–245 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Larson Cabrio 857 2012 and Larson LXi 228 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson Cabrio 857 2012 and the Larson LXi 228 2005 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.

Boat Comparison

Larson Cabrio 857 2012 vs Larson LXi 228 2005

Larson

Larson Cabrio 857 2012

2012

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Larson

Larson LXi 228 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Larson Cabrio 857 2012 vs Larson LXi 228 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Larson Cabrio 857 2012 vs Larson LXi 228 2005 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.

The Larson Cabrio 857 2012 carries a rated maximum of 3 hp. Engine data for the Larson LXi 228 2005 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Larson Cabrio 857 2012 carries 84 gallons versus 35 gallons in the Larson LXi 228 2005. 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 LXi 228 2005 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Larson Cabrio 857 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 LXi 228 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Larson LXi 228 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson Cabrio 857 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

MakeLarson

ModelCabrio 857

ModelLXi 228

Model Year2012

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m)

Beam8 ft. 3 in

Beam - Meters2.69

Beam - Meters2.51

Beam - Inches106

Beam - Inches99

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] - Detail33 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches33

Weight - Detail6,650 lbs. (3,016 kg)

Weight - Detail3,495 lbs

Weight - kg3016.39

Weight - kg1585.3

Weight - lbs.665

Weight - lbs.3495

Length - Feet28.08

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 1 in. (8.57 m) with pulpit

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Meters8.56

Length overall - Meters6.86

Length overall - Inches337

Length overall - Inches27

Body / Hull

Hull materialComposite

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMerCruiser (catalyst complaint) (mandatory in U.S.)

Engine makenot available

Engine model350 Mag MPI EC BIII

Engine modelnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail84 gal. (318 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters317.97

Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49

Fuel tank capacity - Gal84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal35

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Horsepower3

Horsepowernot available

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 capacity1,500 lbs

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people10 Persons

Larson Cabrio 857 2012 vs Larson LXi 228 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Larson Cabrio 857 2012 or the Larson LXi 228 2005?

For trailering, the Larson Cabrio 857 2012 has the edge at 665 lbs dry weight versus 3 495 lbs for the Larson LXi 228 2005. 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Larson Cabrio 857 2012 has a documented max rating of 3 hp. Engine specifications for the Larson LXi 228 2005 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Larson Cabrio 857 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson LXi 228 2005 is certified for 10. 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 857 2012 measures 106" wide, compared to 99" for the Larson LXi 228 2005. 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 857 2012 or the Larson LXi 228 2005?

The Larson Cabrio 857 2012 has the bigger tank at 84 gallons, versus 35 gallons on the Larson LXi 228 2005. That 49-gallon difference translates to roughly 147–245 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Larson Cabrio 857 2012 and Larson LXi 228 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson Cabrio 857 2012 and the Larson LXi 228 2005 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.

← Larson Cabrio 857 2012 full specs ← Larson LXi 228 2005 full specs