When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Larson LXi 248 I/O 2007 and the Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — 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 LXi 248 I/O 2007 at 24,0 ft versus Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 at 26,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Larson LXi 248 I/O 2007 tips the scales at 3 805 lbs — 3 764 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 45-hp advantage over the Larson LXi 248 I/O 2007's 375-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 56 gal and 56 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Larson LXi 248 I/O 2007 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 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 248 I/O 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Larson LXi 248 I/O 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson LXi 268 I/O 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.