Larson Escape 234 2009 vs Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Larson Escape 234 2009 or the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 2005?

For trailering, the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 2005 has the edge at 2 650 lbs dry weight versus 4 400 lbs for the Larson Escape 234 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Larson Escape 234 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 2005 is certified for 6. 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 Escape 234 2009 measures 102" wide, compared to 93" for the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 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 Escape 234 2009 or the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 2005?

The Larson Escape 234 2009 has the bigger tank at 59 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 2005. That 36-gallon difference translates to roughly 108–180 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Larson Escape 234 2009 and Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Larson Escape 234 2009 and the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 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 Escape 234 2009 vs Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 2005

Larson

Larson Escape 234 2009

2009

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Larson

Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Larson Escape 234 2009 vs Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 2005: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Larson Escape 234 2009 vs Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Larson Escape 234 2009 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 2005 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Larson Escape 234 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Larson Escape 234 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 12 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeLarson

ModelEscape 234

ModelSEi 180 Fish Series I/O

Model Year2009

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam7 ft. 9 in.

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.36

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches93

Deadrise16℃

Deadrise21℃

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

Draft [max] - Detail31 in. max.

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches31

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

Weight - Detail2,650 lbs. apx.

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - kg1202.02

Weight - lbs.4400

Weight - lbs.2650

Length - Meters7.19

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet23

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches7

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 6 in.

Length overall - Meters7.19

Length overall - Meters5.33

Length overall - Inches283

Length overall - Inches210

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail59 gal. (223 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters223.34

Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06

Fuel tank capacity - Gal59

Fuel tank capacity - Gal23

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (862 kg)

Maximum capacity1,100 lbs.

Maximum people12

Maximum people6 Persons

Larson Escape 234 2009 vs Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 2005 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Larson Escape 234 2009 or the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 2005?

For trailering, the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 2005 has the edge at 2 650 lbs dry weight versus 4 400 lbs for the Larson Escape 234 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Larson Escape 234 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 2005 is certified for 6. 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 2009 measures 102" wide, compared to 93" for the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 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 Escape 234 2009 or the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 2005?

The Larson Escape 234 2009 has the bigger tank at 59 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 2005. That 36-gallon difference translates to roughly 108–180 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Larson Escape 234 2009 and Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Larson Escape 234 2009 and the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 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 Escape 234 2009 full specs ← Larson SEi 180 Fish Series I/O 2005 full specs