Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 vs Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 or the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013?

The Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 is the longer of the two at 23,5 feet overall. The Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 comes in at 18,4 feet, making it roughly 5,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 or the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013?

For trailering, the Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 has the edge at 245 lbs dry weight versus 444 lbs for the Larson LXi 238 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 has a documented max rating of 135 hp. Engine specifications for the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 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 I/O 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 is certified for 1. 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 238 I/O 2013 measures 102" wide, compared to 92" for the Larson LX 850 I/O 2012. 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 850 I/O 2012 or the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013?

The Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 has the bigger tank at 57 gallons, versus 19 gallons on the Larson LX 850 I/O 2012. That 38-gallon difference translates to roughly 114–190 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 and Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 and the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 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 I/O 2012 vs Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013

Larson

Larson LX 850 I/O 2012

2012

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Larson

Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 vs Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 against a deep vee Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 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 238 I/O 2013 measures 23,5 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 5,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 at 18,4 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 tips the scales at 444 lbs — 199 lbs less than the Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 at 245 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 Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 carries a rated maximum of 135 hp. Engine data for the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 carries 57 gallons versus 19 gallons in the Larson LX 850 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 LX 850 I/O 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 18,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeLarson

ModelLX 850 I/O

ModelLXi 238 I/O

Model Year2012

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 8 in. (2.33 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.34

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches92

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise21°

Deadrise22°

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

Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (88.9 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inches35

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

Weight - Detail4,440 lbs. (2,014 kg) with base engine (5.0L)

Weight - kg1111.3

Weight - kg2013.95

Weight - lbs.245

Weight - lbs.444

Length - Feet18.42

Length - Feet23.5

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in. (5.61 m)

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 6 in. (7.16 m)

Length overall - Meters5.61

Length overall - Meters7.16

Length overall - Inches221

Length overall - Inches282

Body / Hull

Hull materialComposite

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

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

Engine makenot available

Engine model3.0L MPI EC

Engine modelnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail19 gal. (72 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters71.92

Fuel tank capacity - Liters215.77

Fuel tank capacity - Gal19

Fuel tank capacity - Gal57

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Horsepower135

Horsepowernot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,150 lbs. (522 kg)

Maximum capacity1,500 lbs. (680 kg)

Maximum people8

Maximum people1

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity12 gal. (45.4 l)

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailLX 3000 DB with swing tongue & chrome wheels

Trailer - DetailLXi 5500 DB with swing tongue, chrome wheels & diamond plated fenders

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

Trailer - Length over all28 ft. 4 in. (8.63 m)

Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 vs Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 or the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013?

The Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 is the longer of the two at 23,5 feet overall. The Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 comes in at 18,4 feet, making it roughly 5,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 or the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013?

For trailering, the Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 has the edge at 245 lbs dry weight versus 444 lbs for the Larson LXi 238 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 has a documented max rating of 135 hp. Engine specifications for the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 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 I/O 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 is certified for 1. 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 238 I/O 2013 measures 102" wide, compared to 92" for the Larson LX 850 I/O 2012. 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 850 I/O 2012 or the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013?

The Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 has the bigger tank at 57 gallons, versus 19 gallons on the Larson LX 850 I/O 2012. That 38-gallon difference translates to roughly 114–190 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 and Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson LX 850 I/O 2012 and the Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 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 I/O 2012 full specs ← Larson LXi 238 I/O 2013 full specs