When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Larson FX 1750 TL O/B 2012 and the Larson LX 710 I/O 2011 are modified vee designs with composite 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 FX 1750 TL O/B 2012 at 17,4 ft versus Larson LX 710 I/O 2011 at 17,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Larson LX 710 I/O 2011 tips the scales at 204 lbs — 188 lbs less than the Larson FX 1750 TL O/B 2012 at 16 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 135 hp, the Larson LX 710 I/O 2011 has a 45-hp advantage over the Larson FX 1750 TL O/B 2012's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 23 gal and 23 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Larson LX 710 I/O 2011 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Larson FX 1750 TL O/B 2012 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Larson LX 710 I/O 2011 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Larson FX 1750 TL O/B 2012 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 2 lbs per hp for the Larson LX 710 I/O 2011. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.