Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Larson LXi 288 I/O 2011 vs Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2006 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Larson LXi 288 I/O 2011 and the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2006 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?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Larson LXi 288 I/O 2011 measures 29,2 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 12,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2006 at 17,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Larson LXi 288 I/O 2011 tips the scales at 597 lbs — 332 lbs more than the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2006 at 265 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 LXi 288 I/O 2011 carries a rated maximum of 430 hp. Engine data for the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2006 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2006 carries 23 gallons versus 1 gallons in the Larson LXi 288 I/O 2011. 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 288 I/O 2011 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2006 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Larson LXi 288 I/O 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Larson LXi 288 I/O 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 29,2 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson SEi 180 Ski Fish I/O 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelLXi 288 I/O
ModelSEi 180 Ski Fish I/O
Model Year2011
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)
Beam7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m)
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Meters2.36
Beam - Inches108
Beam - Inches93
Deadrise24°
Deadrise21℃
Draft [max] - Detail39 in. (99.1 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (78.7 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.99
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inches39
Draft [max] - Inches31
Weight - Detail5,970 lbs. (2,687 kg) with base engine
Weight - Detail2,650 lbs. (1,202 kg)
Weight - kg2707.94
Weight - kg1202.02
Weight - lbs.597
Weight - lbs.265
Length - Feet29.17
Length - Feet17
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 2 in. (8.89 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 6 in. (5.33 m)
Length overall - Meters8.89
Length overall - Meters5.33
Length overall - Inches35
Length overall - Inches21
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.33
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches6
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser 350 Mag MPI BIII
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail100 gal. (379 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54
Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06
Fuel tank capacity - Gal1
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Horsepower300 hp
Horsepowernot available
Engine max430 hp
Engine maxnot available
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)
Water capacitynot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail12.5 gal. (47 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters49.21
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal12.5
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people6
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all34 ft. 9 in. (10.59 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailSingle-axle EZ Loader