Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012 vs Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012 or the Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998?

The Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998 is the longer of the two at 29,0 feet overall. The Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012 comes in at 18,4 feet, making it roughly 10,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012 has a documented max rating of 135 hp. Engine specifications for the Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998 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 LX 850 Classic I/O 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998 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 has the larger fuel tank — the Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012 or the Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998?

The Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998 has the bigger tank at 125 gallons, versus 19 gallons on the Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012. That 106-gallon difference translates to roughly 318–530 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012 and Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012 and the Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998 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 850 Classic I/O 2012 vs Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998

Larson

Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012

2012

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Larson

Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998

1998

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012 vs Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012 vs Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998 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.

The Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012 carries a rated maximum of 135 hp. Engine data for the Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998 carries 125 gallons versus 19 gallons in the Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012. 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 Marine Cabrio 290 1998 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 29,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012 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

Makenot available

ModelLX 850 Classic I/O

Modelnot available

Model Year2012

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 8 in. (2.33 m)

Beamnot available

Beam - Meters2.34

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Inches92

Beam - Inchesnot available

Deadrise21°

Deadrisenot available

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

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail2,450 lbs. (1,111 kg) with base engine (3.0L)

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg1111.3

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.245

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Feet18.42

Length - Feet29

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in. (5.64 m)

Length overall - Detail29.00 ft

Length overall - Meters5.61

Length overall - Meters8.84

Length overall - Inches221

Length overall - Inches348

Body / Hull

Hull materialComposite

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMerCruiser (catalyst compliant) (mandatory in U.S.)

Engine makeMercruiser rwc I/O

Engine model3.0L MPI EC

Engine modelnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail19 gal. (72 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters71.92

Fuel tank capacity - Liters473.18

Fuel tank capacity - Gal19

Fuel tank capacity - Gal125

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeinboard

Horsepower135

Horsepowernot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,150 lbs. (522 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people7

Maximum peoplenot available

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity33

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal3

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters113.56

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailLX 3000 DB with swing tongue & chrome wheels

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 4 in. (6.9 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012 vs Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012 or the Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998?

The Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998 is the longer of the two at 29,0 feet overall. The Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012 comes in at 18,4 feet, making it roughly 10,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012 has a documented max rating of 135 hp. Engine specifications for the Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998 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 LX 850 Classic I/O 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998 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 has the larger fuel tank — the Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012 or the Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998?

The Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998 has the bigger tank at 125 gallons, versus 19 gallons on the Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012. That 106-gallon difference translates to roughly 318–530 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012 and Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson LX 850 Classic I/O 2012 and the Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998 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 850 Classic I/O 2012 full specs ← Larson Marine Cabrio 290 1998 full specs