Larson LXi 218 I/O 2011 vs Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Larson LXi 218 I/O 2011 or the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005?

For trailering, the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005 has the edge at 1 785 lbs dry weight versus 3 735 lbs for the Larson LXi 218 I/O 2011. 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 218 I/O 2011 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005 tops out at 175 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 LXi 218 I/O 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005 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 218 I/O 2011 measures 99" wide, compared to 93" for the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005. 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 LXi 218 I/O 2011 or the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005?

The Larson LXi 218 I/O 2011 has the bigger tank at 34 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005. That 5-gallon difference translates to roughly 15–25 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Larson LXi 218 I/O 2011 and Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson LXi 218 I/O 2011 and the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005 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 LXi 218 I/O 2011 vs Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005

Larson

Larson LXi 218 I/O 2011

2011

View full specs →

Larson

Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Larson LXi 218 I/O 2011 vs Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Larson LXi 218 I/O 2011 vs Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 320 hp, the Larson LXi 218 I/O 2011 has a 145-hp advantage over the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005's 175-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 218 I/O 2011 carries 34 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005. 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 218 I/O 2011 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005 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 218 I/O 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Larson LXi 218 I/O 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 21,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005 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

ModelLXi 218 I/O

ModelSEi 180 Fish Series O/B

Model Year2011

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)

Beam7 ft. 9 in

Beam - Meters2.51

Beam - Meters2.36

Beam - Inches99

Beam - Inches93

Deadrise22°

Deadrise21℃

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

Draft [max] - Detail33 in. max

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inches33

Weight - Detail3,735 lbs. (1,690 kg) with base engine

Weight - Detail1,785 lbs. apx

Weight - kg1694.17

Weight - kg809.66

Weight - lbs.3735

Weight - lbs.1785

Length - Feet21.5

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 6 in. (6.55 m)

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Meters6.55

Length overall - Meters5.64

Length overall - Inches258

Length overall - Inches222

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]20 in

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMerCruiser 5.0 MPI

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail34 gal. (129 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters128.7

Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78

Fuel tank capacity - Gal34

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Horsepower260 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max320 hp

Engine max175 HP

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,450 lbs. (658 kg)

Maximum capacity1,880 lbs

Maximum people9

Maximum people8 Persons

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailLXi 4600 DB with swing tongue

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Length over all27 ft. (8.23 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Larson LXi 218 I/O 2011 vs Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Larson LXi 218 I/O 2011 or the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005?

For trailering, the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005 has the edge at 1 785 lbs dry weight versus 3 735 lbs for the Larson LXi 218 I/O 2011. 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 218 I/O 2011 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005 tops out at 175 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 LXi 218 I/O 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005 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 218 I/O 2011 measures 99" wide, compared to 93" for the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005. 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 LXi 218 I/O 2011 or the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005?

The Larson LXi 218 I/O 2011 has the bigger tank at 34 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005. That 5-gallon difference translates to roughly 15–25 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Larson LXi 218 I/O 2011 and Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson LXi 218 I/O 2011 and the Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005 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 LXi 218 I/O 2011 full specs ← Larson SEi 180 Fish Series O/B 2005 full specs