Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 vs Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 or the Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008?

The Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 comes in at 18,7 feet, making it roughly 7,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 or the Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008?

For trailering, the Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 has the edge at 41 lbs dry weight versus 204 lbs for the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013. 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 268 I/O 2008 is rated to a maximum of 420 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 tops out at 135 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 185 S I/O 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 is certified for 8. 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 LXi 268 I/O 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 88" for the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013. 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 LX 185 S I/O 2013 or the Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008?

The Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 19 gallons on the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013. That 37-gallon difference translates to roughly 111–185 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 and Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 and the Larson LXi 268 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 185 S I/O 2013 vs Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008

Larson

Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013

2013

View full specs →

Larson

Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 vs Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 against a modified vee Larson LXi 268 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 LXi 268 I/O 2008 measures 26,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 7,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 at 18,7 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 tips the scales at 204 lbs — 163 lbs more than the Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 at 41 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 420 hp, the Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 has a 285-hp advantage over the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013's 135-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 268 I/O 2008 carries 56 gallons versus 19 gallons in the Larson LX 185 S I/O 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 268 I/O 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 26,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeLarson

ModelLX 185 S I/O

ModelLXi 268 I/O

Model Year2013

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 4 in. (2.24 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.24

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches88

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise21°

Deadrise21℃

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

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (85 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inches34

Weight - Detail2,040 lbs. (925 kg) with base engine (3.0L)

Weight - Detail4,100 lbs. (1,860 kg)

Weight - kg925.33

Weight - kg1859.73

Weight - lbs.204

Weight - lbs.41

Length - Feet18.67

Length - Feet26

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in. (5.96 m)

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 8 in. (8.17 m)

Length overall - Meters5.69

Length overall - Meters8.13

Length overall - Inches224

Length overall - Inches32

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.17

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches8

Body / Hull

Hull materialComposite

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMerCruiser Catalyst Compliant (mandatory in U.S.)

Engine makenot available

Engine model3.0 MPI EC

Engine modelnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail19 gal. (72 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters71.92

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal19

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeInboard/Outboard

Horsepower135

Horsepowernot available

Engine maxnot available

Engine max420 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people7

Maximum peoplenot available

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity12.5 gal. (47 l)

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailLX 3000 DB with swing tongue & chrome wheels

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 4 in. (6.5 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 vs Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 or the Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008?

The Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 comes in at 18,7 feet, making it roughly 7,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 or the Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008?

For trailering, the Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 has the edge at 41 lbs dry weight versus 204 lbs for the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013. 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 268 I/O 2008 is rated to a maximum of 420 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 tops out at 135 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 185 S I/O 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 is certified for 8. 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 LXi 268 I/O 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 88" for the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013. 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 LX 185 S I/O 2013 or the Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008?

The Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 19 gallons on the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013. That 37-gallon difference translates to roughly 111–185 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 and Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson LX 185 S I/O 2013 and the Larson LXi 268 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 185 S I/O 2013 full specs ← Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 full specs