Larson Escape 234 I/O 2005 boat specs
Larson
Larson Escape 234 I/O 2005
2005
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Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 boat specs
Larson
Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006
2006
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Larson Escape 234 I/O 2005 vs Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Larson Escape 234 I/O 2005 vs Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Larson Escape 234 I/O 2005 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Larson Escape 234 I/O 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Larson Escape 234 I/O 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeLarson
MakeLarson
ModelEscape 234 I/O
ModelLXi 208 I/O
Model Year2005
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam7 ft. 10 in. (2.38 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.39
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches94
Deadrise16℃
Deadrise21℃
Draft [max] - Detail33 in
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (83.8 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Inches33
Draft [max] - Inches33
Weight - Detail3,895 lbs
Weight - Detail3,245 lbs. (1,472 kg)
Weight - kg1766.74
Weight - kg1471.91
Weight - lbs.3895
Weight - lbs.3245
Height - DetailBridge clearance: 5 ft. 11 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.8
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches71
Height - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 9 in. (6.37 m)
Length overall - Meters7.09
Length overall - Meters6.32
Length overall - Inches279
Length overall - Inches249
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters6.37
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet2
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches9
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail58 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal. (109.8 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters219.55
Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78
Fuel tank capacity - Gal58
Fuel tank capacity - Gal29
Drive typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Operational Info
Water capacity5 gal
Water capacitynot available
Maximum capacity2,250 lbs
Maximum capacity1,400 lbs. (635 kg)
Maximum people14 Persons
Maximum people9
Trailer Info
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailEZ Loader

Larson Escape 234 I/O 2005 vs Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Larson Escape 234 I/O 2005 or the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006?
For trailering, the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 has the edge at 3 245 lbs dry weight versus 3 895 lbs for the Larson Escape 234 I/O 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.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Larson Escape 234 I/O 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 is certified for 9. 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 Escape 234 I/O 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 94" for the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006. 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 Escape 234 I/O 2005 or the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006?
The Larson Escape 234 I/O 2005 has the bigger tank at 58 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006. That 29-gallon difference translates to roughly 87–145 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Larson Escape 234 I/O 2005 and Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Larson Escape 234 I/O 2005 and the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 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.