Larson Escape 204 2008 vs Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Larson Escape 204 2008 or the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011?

The Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011 is the longer of the two at 20,5 feet overall. The Larson Escape 204 2008 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 18,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Larson Escape 204 2008 or the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011?

For trailering, the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011 has the edge at 3 lbs dry weight versus 31 lbs for the Larson Escape 204 2008. 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 Escape 204 I/O 2011 has a documented max rating of 270 hp. Engine specifications for the Larson Escape 204 2008 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 Escape 204 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011 is certified for 1. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Larson Escape 204 2008 and Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Larson Escape 204 2008 and Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 5 gallons and 5 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Larson Escape 204 2008 and Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson Escape 204 2008 and the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011 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 Escape 204 2008 vs Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011

Larson

Larson Escape 204 2008

2008

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Larson

Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Larson Escape 204 2008 vs Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Larson Escape 204 2008 and the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011 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 Escape 204 I/O 2011 measures 20,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 18,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Larson Escape 204 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). At 31 lbs and 3 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011 tops out at 270 hp. Engine specs for the Larson Escape 204 2008 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 5 gal and 5 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Larson Escape 204 2008 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Larson Escape 204 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Larson Escape 204 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeLarson

ModelEscape 204

ModelEscape 204 I/O

Model Year2008

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise17℃

Deadrise17°

Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (73.7 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Inches29

Weight - Detail3,100 lbs. (1,406 kg)

Weight - Detail3,000 lbs. (1,350 kg) with base engine

Weight - kg1406.14

Weight - kg1360.78

Weight - lbs.31

Weight - lbs.3

Length - Meters6.1

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet2

Length - Feet20.5

Length - Inches1

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 1 in. (6.1 m)

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 6 in. (6.1 m)

Length overall - Meters6.12

Length overall - Meters6.25

Length overall - Inches241

Length overall - Inches246

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard/Outboard

Drive typeI/O

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardMerCruiser 4.3L

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower190 hp

Engine maxnot available

Engine max270 hp

Operational Info

Water capacity5 gal. (19 l)

Maximum capacity1,550 lbs. (703 kg)

Maximum capacity1,400 lbs. (635 kg)

Maximum people11

Maximum people1

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailESC 4000 DB with swing tongue

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 9 in. (7.84 m)

Larson Escape 204 2008 vs Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Larson Escape 204 2008 or the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011?

The Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011 is the longer of the two at 20,5 feet overall. The Larson Escape 204 2008 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 18,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Larson Escape 204 2008 or the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011?

For trailering, the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011 has the edge at 3 lbs dry weight versus 31 lbs for the Larson Escape 204 2008. 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 Escape 204 I/O 2011 has a documented max rating of 270 hp. Engine specifications for the Larson Escape 204 2008 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 Escape 204 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011 is certified for 1. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Larson Escape 204 2008 and Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Larson Escape 204 2008 and Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 5 gallons and 5 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Larson Escape 204 2008 and Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson Escape 204 2008 and the Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011 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 Escape 204 2008 full specs ← Larson Escape 204 I/O 2011 full specs