The Larson 330 DC is one of the hottest day cruisers (DC) on the market because of its single-purpose entertaining aspect.
Cabin class treatment…
Several years ago Larson was the first builder to break the code on the little secret that every boat owner knew but boat builders didn’t want to acknowledge – most people with 27’ to 35’ boats don’t overnight on them! What do most people do instead? They day cruise and entertain.
That huge couch runs all the way to the aft end of this salon, and with the table forward, there’s plenty of room to mingle with your guests. Check out the wine cooler under the sink, and TV forward. And the good news, nothing in this shot is on the options list. It’s all standard, with the exception of the ornaments of course.
Larson recognized that fact and rather than being afraid to admit such a landlubberly use of their products, they embraced the customer's desires. The result was they led the industry in producing terrific entertaining venues below deck for day cruising and cozy evenings around a table having cocktails or sharing a bottle of grand cru.
If you love to entertain on your boat, and who doesn’t, then why not get a boat that’s made for entertaining? The Larson Cabrio 330DC is purpose built for the party, and don’t be shy about adding to the guest list. There are multiple gathering spaces on this boat so mingling is the order of the day. The cabin has a spacious layout that can hold plenty of people, whether standing, milling about or just sitting on either the massive main wrap around sofa, or in the aft settee. The galley has all the accoutrements of the home kitchen so food prep is a breeze.
The mid-cabin lounge can convert to a settee or even a berth. Note the privacy curtain.
The galley includes a coffeemaker, microwave oven, dual voltage refrigerator, stainless steel appliances, a two-burner electric stove with a cutting board cover and even a wine cooler.
But not every party starts and ends at the cabin. Let’s take a look at what the cockpit has to offer.
The skipper has the hammer down and note that the windshield keeps the wind off his lady’s hair. The Cabrio 330 DC is ideal for two couples.
The cockpit…
Here is where things get a little more typical. The cockpit has “U” seating with a filler cushion to turn the area into a sun worshipper's dream. Conversely a table fits in the place for snacks and cocktails. The cockpit refrigerator and wet bar are standard, and there’s easy access to the extended swim platform with its hot/cold transom shower, also standard.
A handy wetbar between the bridge deck and the cockpit means you don’t have to be running below for beverages. There is a refer/icemaker under the sink.
Expensive Options are Standard…
Speaking of standards, there are plenty, in fact the options list is pretty sparse on this boat. The only options to concern yourself with are either the basic or cruising electronics package, a cockpit TV (puhlease!) and what you want to power your dream boat with. That’s it. Everything else that you care about is included in the standard package. Talk about a builder having their act together.
The use of the Nu-teak treatment gives the boat an upscale look without the maintenance hassle and expense.
Power Play…
Now here’s where it gets interesting… engine choices. You can choose from seven MerCruiser options from 250 to 320-hp and either single or dual propped outdrives including one with the Axius joystick drives. And, if Volvo Penta is your drive of choice then choose from another sixteen different engine and prop combinations from 260 to 320-hp including two diesel options. None of these choices, however, are inboards. You’re guests will be taking up enough room without having to move the engines forward and adding shafts and rudders.
There are two choices for electronics packages, basic and cruising. The helm has a dual seat and tilt steering. We don’t care for the mounting of the engine controls, we’d rather they be mounted on the horizontal, and with an armrest please. Also, we’d get the ignition switches moved out of the way. They’re at the starboard end of the row of switches. Rocker switch layout is excellent, and all have lights to tell when they’re activated. We’d put the gauges across the top and leave room for a second nav display to port where it could be larger. A radar display and chartplotter will crowd that 6.5” screen in no time, even if overlaid. Thanks for the drink holders.
Specs…
Your Larson Cabrio 330DC has a LOA of 32' (9.75 m) and a beam of 11'6" (3.51 m). Depending on your engine choice, her approximate weight is going to be around 12,500 lbs. (5670 kg) and to get you where you’ll need to go, she carries 240 gallons (908 L) of fuel.
The head is also the shower stall – but be careful not to get your toilet paper wet.
Clearly, this boat is a party animal, and that suits Larson just fine. If you need a weekender with better sleeping arrangements, then they have that for you as well, but since you’ll likely only be sleeping on it only once in awhile, why not go for the entertainment value instead? You’re guests will be glad you did.
For a more detailed look at the Larson 330 DC see Capt. Rob’s full boat test which appears below. Also be sure to check out the test numbers and related articles.
Sweet dreams are made of this…nothing like floating into an inlet with the skipper and his mate on the bow and no one at the helm.
Larson Cabrio 330 Day Cruiser
By Capt. Rob Smith
I have tested just about everything Larson has to offer over the years. I have come to expect quality, value and a few surprises. I was really surprised when I entered the salon of the Cabrio 330 DC or Day Cruiser. Spacious and 33-footer don’t usually go hand in hand, but with this new Larson, it does. Larson has managed to pack in the interior space of something more in line of a 40-footer with a few design changes, making this truly an entertaining platform good enough for a weekend aboard. Both above and below decks, this model is set up for gracious entertaining that will simply astound your guests as much as it did me when I soaked in the features and ambiance.
From the Stern
The hook was set for me beginning with the standard composite teak in the cockpit. The model in Miami had it all the way to the bow pulpit. It’s easy to care for, yet easier on the feet and pocket, overall. It adds an elegant touch without the back-breaking effort required of real teak. There is a swing down swim ladder rather than the typical telescoping style and a hot and cold swim shower to rinse off from a cool dip. The integrated swim platform has plenty of room to host the kids at anchor keeping the cockpit free for the adults to enjoy.
In the Cockpit
Stepping through the port side walkthrough you enter a flexible aft cockpit seating area. You can go with a single aft facing bench behind the helm seat to completely filling the area with wrap-around seating for the entire party. Set up the single post table and lay out the snacks for everyone to enjoy. A large engine hatch covers your choice of many optional engine packages; nineteen in all from a MerCruiser 5.0L Bravo II 260 hp twin to the Volvo D-4 C Diesel 260 hp twin package. A 7.3kw Kohler generator is also part of this package. Drop in the filler cushion when you don’t have guests and create a large space to lounge in the sun or to relax under the stars. Entertaining can continue both topside and below with the full wet bar on the port side in the cockpit. No skimping here either, the refrigerator is a standard feature, not an expensive option.
In the forward cockpit there is a double wide helm seat and double wide port side lounger. The dash has the typical stylish low glare Larson cover along with standard gauges that can be upgraded with a 6.5” color multifunction display. The helm has more of a high-end automotive look and feel.
View from the Bow
Up front, the teak treatment continues around the side decks up to the standard bow pulpit with integrated anchor roller and rope locker. The foredeck also sports two of the beefiest loungers I have seen. These foredeck loungers have oversized heavy duty frames and extra thick cushions that feel like you are floating over the foredeck rather than resting on it. An integrated anchor roller with electric windlass is also standard.
The Surprise
Stepping into the salon, you really feel like you have entered a larger yacht than the 330 DC. Larson has designed this model without large bulkheads that tend to divide the space into small areas that you need a can opener to move around in. The salon is a well lit and comfortable space with a lot of natural light largely due to the three hatches over the cabin. This open space has the galley to port, head to starboard and the dining area forward. The table is a magnificent wood table with compass rose inlay and rope design edge. You press a button and this table converts from dining table to coffee table. The plush high-backed seats invite you to stay awhile and relax with a bottle of wine fresh from the wine chiller in the galley. Want to watch some TV or a DVD of your favorite anchorage? Well, this one has a standard 26” flat screen TV just waiting to spin up your favorite DVD.
The mid cabin is designed to continue the open feeling and didn’t feel cramped when I sat down and looked over the cabin forward. At six feet tall, I didn’t feel like I had to fold into the space, simply relax and enjoy. For overnights, this cabin can be converted into a full sized area with ease.
The size of it
The Cabrio 330 Day Cruiser measures 32’ at the centerline and has a beam width of 11’6”. She weighs approximately 12,500 lbs. dry and has a bridge clearance of 9’4” with her standard arch. Fuel capacity is 240 gallons and water capacity is 46 gallons.
Oh, don’t let the plushness and elegance fool you, the 330 is a nimble craft. She is on plane in 5.4 seconds and up to 30 mph in 10.8. Maybe a little slow out of the hole, but certainly up there with others on time to 30 mph. She clocked a top speed of 48 mph and at 3500 rpm she was making turns for 29.9 mph burning 23.9 gph for a full tank range of 270 miles.
Oh, I forgot to mention; I got to drive this one with the first EVC controlled joystick Volvo stern drive system I have seen. Now you can take the group out with confidence and wow them as you return unrushed and lightly touch the docks as you return! You have all the control of the IPS system in a smaller cruiser using stern drives!
Conclusion
I’ve spent a couple days looking over this one and I can see how this will become a favorite in the Larson line, especially for those who enjoy taking a few friends out for a cruise, enjoy a few treats and relax with a fine glass of wine while the sun sets. Adding the control of the joystick drive EVC system and you can have just about anyone at the helm and not be worried. She has the elegance and opulence to treat the boss to a ride, yet has the amenities you need to take the kids out for a full day of fun on the water.
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