Larson’s LXI 228 Wakeboard Edition – An Easy Choice to Make
Packed with watersport features and typical Larson luxury.
By Capt. Bob Smith
Test Captain
One of the toughest aspects of boat building is to continually build boats that perform well and appeal to today’s active boating families. Larson hit a home run with their LXi 228 Wakeboard Edition. They took the very popular LXi 228 and added an awesome tower, and Perfect Pass Pro system which helps maintain the right speed for the perfect wake.
Bow Layout
The bow of the LXi 228 has bench style seating with low safety rails canted into the cockpit, which keeps the gunwales clear and making them easy to grab when necessary. These seats are easily removed to access storage space in the bow. The anchor and rode can be stowed neatly in a box under the seat at the peak. Much like a deckboat, the LXi 228 has a four-step boarding ladder at the bow, so a tired swimmer won’t have to struggle to the back of the boat or over the gunwales. A filler cushion completes the bow and converts it to large sun pad for those who want to soak up some rays. A large walkthrough windshield allows easy movement to and from the bow, as well as a clear view of the person in tow behind the boat.
Helm Station
Cockpit space is unusually large for a boat this style and size. The helm features a bucket seat with bolster, swivel and slide adjustments. Typical analog instruments and a digital depth gauge are at the helm as well as the optional Perfect Pass Pro that is part of the Wakeboard Package. A handy 12-volt socket is to the right of the wheel to keep the portable gear charged, power a portable air compressor, or just keep the cell phone charged. Also on the right hand side of our test model was a Clarion stereo remote control panel.
The companion pod has two boxes; one is the glove box and the other protects the Clarion marine stereo AM/FM/CD player with Sirius Satellite programming, which is included for one year. A huge in-floor storage compartment can handle most water toys and other gear you want to bring aboard for the ride.
Transom Features
Moving to the stern is a comfortable bench seat with carry-on cooler below. Our test boat had the optional handy portable air pump on located back here. Larson put a clever little flip-out post which takes the walkthrough section of the sun pad and allows you to convert it to a raised headrest. The wide integrated swim platform has a swim shower to port, an integrated cooler or line locker, and a three-step boarding ladder.
The wakeboard tower has clips for two wakeboards to be stored on each side, as well as a double tow point high on the center of the arch. This test boat also had the wide angle competition ski mirror at the helm.
Specs
The LXi 228 Wakeboard Edition is 22’6” length overall with a width of 8’3” in the beam. She weighs about 3,495 lbs. dry and has a draft requirement of 33 inches with the outdrive fully down. The LXi 228 has a fuel capacity of 35 gallons and is rated for I/Os from a MerCruiser 220-hp 4.3 L MPI to a Volvo 5.7 GXi DP 320-hp power plant.
Performance
We tested the LXi 228 Wakeboard Edition on an inland lake in Minnesota in good weather with two people on board. We had a MerCruiser 350 MAG MPI 300-hp I/O aboard our test boat with ¾ tank of fuel. The 228 was quick to jump on plane in only 2.9 seconds and was at 30 mph in 6 seconds. I found she cruised most economically around 3000 rpm traveling 29.7 mph and burning 7.2 gph, for a full range of 131 miles. She hit a top end speed of 54.5 mph turning 5000 rpm for a range of about 78 miles.
If you are looking for the luxury of an LXi, but demand the performance and amenities necessary for tricks on the water, the LXi 228 Wakeboard Edition is an obvious choice. You get performance, luxury, and a watersports tower all in one package.
