Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 vs Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 or the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008?

The Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 is the longer of the two at 18,5 feet overall. The Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 16,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 or the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008?

For trailering, the Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 has the edge at 2 179 lbs dry weight versus 3 245 lbs for the Larson LXi 208 I/O 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 is rated to a maximum of 270 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 tops out at 150 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 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.

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

Both the Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 and Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 share an 7 ft. 10 in. (2.39 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 LX 180 S O/B 2013 or the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008?

The Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 has the bigger tank at 29 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013. That 26-gallon difference translates to roughly 78–130 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 and Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 and the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 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 LX 180 S O/B 2013 vs Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008

Larson

Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013

2013

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Larson

Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 vs Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 against a modified vee Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 measures 18,5 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 16,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 tips the scales at 3 245 lbs — 1 066 lbs less than the Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 at 2 179 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 270 hp, the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 has a 120-hp advantage over the Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 carries 29 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeLarson

ModelLX 180 S O/B

ModelLXi 208 I/O

Model Year2013

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 10 in. (2.39 m)

Beam - Meters2.39

Beam - Inches94

Deadrise21°

Deadrise21℃

Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (79 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (83.9 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inches33

Weight - Detail2,179 lbs. (988 kg) with Mercury 115 4S

Weight - Detail3,245 lbs. (1,472 kg)

Weight - kg988.38

Weight - kg1471.91

Weight - lbs.2179

Weight - lbs.3245

Length - Feet18.5

Length - Feet2

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in. (5.64 m)

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 9 in. (6.37 m)

Length overall - Meters5.64

Length overall - Meters6.32

Length overall - Inches222

Length overall - Inches249

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters6.37

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches9

Body / Hull

Hull materialComposite

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal. (114 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal. (109.8 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78

Fuel tank capacity - Gal3

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typeInboard/Outboard

Engine max150 hp

Engine max270 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,850 lbs. (839 kg)

Maximum capacity1,400 lbs. (635 kg)

Maximum people8

Maximum people9

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailLX 3400 with swing tongue

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 1 in. (7.64 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 vs Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 or the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008?

The Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 is the longer of the two at 18,5 feet overall. The Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 16,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 or the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008?

For trailering, the Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 has the edge at 2 179 lbs dry weight versus 3 245 lbs for the Larson LXi 208 I/O 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 is rated to a maximum of 270 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 tops out at 150 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 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.

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

Both the Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 and Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 share an 7 ft. 10 in. (2.39 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 LX 180 S O/B 2013 or the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008?

The Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 has the bigger tank at 29 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013. That 26-gallon difference translates to roughly 78–130 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 and Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson LX 180 S O/B 2013 and the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 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 LX 180 S O/B 2013 full specs ← Larson LXi 208 I/O 2008 full specs