Larson SEi 180 LX 2009 vs Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Larson SEi 180 LX 2009 or the Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006?

The Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Larson SEi 180 LX 2009 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Larson SEi 180 LX 2009 or the Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006?

For trailering, the Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006 has the edge at 2 365 lbs dry weight versus 2 365 lbs for the Larson SEi 180 LX 2009. 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Larson SEi 180 LX 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006 is certified for 5. 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 SEi 180 LX 2009 and Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006 share an 7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 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 SEi 180 LX 2009 and Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 23 gallons and 23 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 SEi 180 LX 2009 and Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson SEi 180 LX 2009 and the Larson SEi 180 Sport 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 SEi 180 LX 2009 vs Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006

Larson

Larson SEi 180 LX 2009

2009

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Larson

Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Larson SEi 180 LX 2009 vs Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006 — A Close Look at Two Modified Vees

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Larson SEi 180 LX 2009 and the Larson SEi 180 Sport 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Larson SEi 180 LX 2009 at 17,0 ft versus Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006 at 17,0 ft. At 2 365 lbs and 2 365 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Larson SEi 180 LX 2009 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Larson SEi 180 LX 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Larson SEi 180 LX 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeLarson

ModelSEi 180 LX

ModelSEi 180 Sport I/O

Model Year2009

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m)

Beam - Meters2.36

Beam - Inches93

Deadrise21℃

Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (78.7 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Inches31

Weight - Detail2,365 lbs. (1,072 kg)

Weight - kg1072.75

Weight - lbs.2365

Length - Meters5.33

Length - Feet17

Length - Inches6

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 6 in. (5.33 m)

Length overall - Meters5.33

Length overall - Inches21

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06

Fuel tank capacity - Gal23

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,275 lbs. (578 kg)

Maximum people8

Maximum peoplenot available

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailSingle-axle EZ Loader

Larson SEi 180 LX 2009 vs Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Larson SEi 180 LX 2009 or the Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006?

The Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Larson SEi 180 LX 2009 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Larson SEi 180 LX 2009 or the Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006?

For trailering, the Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006 has the edge at 2 365 lbs dry weight versus 2 365 lbs for the Larson SEi 180 LX 2009. 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Larson SEi 180 LX 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006 is certified for 5. 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 SEi 180 LX 2009 and Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006 share an 7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 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 SEi 180 LX 2009 and Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 23 gallons and 23 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 SEi 180 LX 2009 and Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Larson SEi 180 LX 2009 and the Larson SEi 180 Sport 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 SEi 180 LX 2009 full specs ← Larson SEi 180 Sport I/O 2006 full specs