Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012 vs Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012 or the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006?

The Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 is the longer of the two at 20,0 feet overall. The Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012 comes in at 18,5 feet, making it roughly 1,5 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012 or the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006?

For trailering, the Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012 has the edge at 1 780 lbs dry weight versus 3 245 lbs for the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006. 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 860 SF O/B 2012 has a documented max rating of 150 hp. Engine specifications for the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 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 860 SF O/B 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 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 860 SF O/B 2012 and Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012 and Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads - 30 gallons and 29 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012 and Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012 and the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 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 860 SF O/B 2012 vs Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006

Larson

Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012

2012

View full specs →

Larson

Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012 vs Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006: A Close Look at Two Modified-V Boats

Both the Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012 and the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 are modified-V designs, so 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 LX 860 SF O/B 2012 at 18,5 ft versus Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 at 20,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 tips the scales at 3 245 lbs - 1 465 lbs less than the Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012 at 1 780 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 860 SF O/B 2012 carries a rated maximum of 150 hp. Engine data for the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 wasn't available in our records - check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 30 gal and 29 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012 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 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 20,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012 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 860 SF O/B

ModelLXi 208 I/O

Model Year2012

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 10 in. (2.39 m)

Beam7 ft. 10 in. (2.38 m)

Beam - Meters2.39

Beam - Inches94

Deadrise21°

Deadrise21℃

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

Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (83.8 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inches33

Weight - Detail1,780 lbs. (807 kg)

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

Weight - kg807.39

Weight - kg1471.91

Weight - lbs.1780

Weight - lbs.3245

Length - Feet18.5

Length - Feet20

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 materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMercury

Engine makenot available

Engine model90ELPT Optimax

Engine modelnot available

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 - Gal30

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typeI/O

Engine max150 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,850 lbs. (839 kg)

Maximum capacity1,400 lbs. (635 kg)

Maximum people8 / 1,200 lbs.

Maximum people9

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailLX 3000 with swing tongue

Trailer - DetailEZ Loader

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

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012 vs Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012 or the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006?

The Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 is the longer of the two at 20,0 feet overall. The Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012 comes in at 18,5 feet, making it roughly 1,5 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer - the Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012 or the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006?

For trailering, the Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012 has the edge at 1 780 lbs dry weight versus 3 245 lbs for the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006. 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 860 SF O/B 2012 has a documented max rating of 150 hp. Engine specifications for the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 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 860 SF O/B 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 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 860 SF O/B 2012 and Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012 and Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads - 30 gallons and 29 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012 and Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Larson LX 860 SF O/B 2012 and the Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 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 860 SF O/B 2012 full specs ← Larson LXi 208 I/O 2006 full specs