Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 vs Larson LXi 238 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 or the Larson LXi 238 2009?

The Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 is the longer of the two at 23,6 feet overall. The Larson LXi 238 2009 comes in at 23,0 feet, making it roughly 0,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 or the Larson LXi 238 2009?

For trailering, the Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 444 lbs for the Larson LXi 238 2009. 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 234 I/O 2011 has a documented max rating of 320 hp. Engine specifications for the Larson LXi 238 2009 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 234 I/O 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Larson LXi 238 2009 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 234 I/O 2011 and Larson LXi 238 2009 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 or the Larson LXi 238 2009?

The Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 has the bigger tank at 59 gallons, versus 56 gallons on the Larson LXi 238 2009. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 and Larson LXi 238 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 and the Larson LXi 238 2009 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 234 I/O 2011 vs Larson LXi 238 2009

Larson

Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011

2011

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Larson

Larson LXi 238 2009

2009

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 vs Larson LXi 238 2009 — A Close Look at Two Modified Vees

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 and the Larson LXi 238 2009 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 at 23,6 ft versus Larson LXi 238 2009 at 23,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Larson LXi 238 2009 tips the scales at 444 lbs — 400 lbs less than the Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 at 44 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 Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 carries a rated maximum of 320 hp. Engine data for the Larson LXi 238 2009 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 59 gal and 56 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Larson LXi 238 2009 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 234 I/O 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 23,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson LXi 238 2009 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 234 I/O

ModelLXi 238

Model Year2011

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise16°

Deadrise22℃

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91.4 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (88.9 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches35

Weight - Detail4,400 lbs. (2,000 kg) with base engine

Weight - Detail4,440 lbs. (2,010 kg)

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - kg2013.95

Weight - lbs.44

Weight - lbs.444

Length - Feet23.58

Length - Feet23

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 7 in. (7.19 m)

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 6 in. (7.16 m)

Length overall - Meters7.19

Length overall - Meters7.16

Length overall - Inches283

Length overall - Inches282

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.16

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches6

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMerCruiser 5.0L MPI BIII

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail59 gal. (223 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters223.34

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal59

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Horsepower260 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max320 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (862 kg)

Maximum capacity1,500 lbs. (680 kg)

Maximum people12

Maximum people1

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity12 gal. (45.4 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal2

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailESC 5500 DB with swing tongue

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Length over all28 ft. 7 in. (8.71 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 vs Larson LXi 238 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 or the Larson LXi 238 2009?

The Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 is the longer of the two at 23,6 feet overall. The Larson LXi 238 2009 comes in at 23,0 feet, making it roughly 0,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 or the Larson LXi 238 2009?

For trailering, the Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 444 lbs for the Larson LXi 238 2009. 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 234 I/O 2011 has a documented max rating of 320 hp. Engine specifications for the Larson LXi 238 2009 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 234 I/O 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Larson LXi 238 2009 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 234 I/O 2011 and Larson LXi 238 2009 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 or the Larson LXi 238 2009?

The Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 has the bigger tank at 59 gallons, versus 56 gallons on the Larson LXi 238 2009. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 and Larson LXi 238 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson Escape 234 I/O 2011 and the Larson LXi 238 2009 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 234 I/O 2011 full specs ← Larson LXi 238 2009 full specs