Larson has been coming on strong the last few years with innovations, up-grades and strong styling and their latest new boat -- the 1750 – is the line’s “starter sportboat.” We’re told that the new model has gotten a good reception at retail and as we surf the net we see that Larson dealers all over the country have them in stock and are making deals that range from $19,500 down to $15,000, depending on the engine and options installed. One dealer even says that for a $175 a month a new 1750 can be all yours. No wonder this model is off to such a strong start -- the pricing is certainly sharp. We can’t remember the last time we saw a good brand name like Larson selling new for as little as about $1,000 per foot, but evidently that’s what’s going on these days.

Larson 1750 LX (2009-) Specifications

Length Overall	17' 1'' 5.21 m	Dry Weight	2,040 lbs. 925 kg
Beam	7' 4'' 2.24 m	Fuel Cap	28 gal. 87 L
Draft	31'' 79 cm	Water Cap	none
Deadrise/Transom	21 deg.	Bridge Clearance	N/A
Max Headroom	open
Prices, features, designs, and equipment are subject to change. Please see your local dealer or visit the builder's website for the latest information available on this boat model.

Larson 1750 LX (2009-) Engine options

Std. Power	Not Available
Tested Power	This model has not been tested.
Opt. Power	MerCruiser 3.0 L WPS - 135 HP MerCruiser 3.0 L MPI EC - 135 HP Volvo Penta 3.0 GL WPS - 135 HP Volvo Penta 3.0 GXi C - 150 HP

Printer Friendly Report

Larson’s newest boat is the 1750 bowrider which started shipping last fall and dealers all over the country have them in stock and are making deals.

The Larson is a “package boat” which means that it is sold with engine and trailer included in one “package price” saving the consumer the hassle and time of sorting out a trailer and going through a lot of engine options. Generally, “packages” save the consumer money as the builders and buying in bulk and cutting good deals with their vendors. Consumers get a turnkey boat.

There is nothing quite like the fun of driving into a dealership at, say, 11 AM on a Saturday, and driving away at 2 with shiny new sportboat to take home to show the kids.



Interior drawing of the new Larson 1750 which like most boats in her class seat 7 people.

The Head of Its Class

After checking the largest selling boats in this class we see that only two brands have a lower MSRP, and one of those has 5” less beam. In fact, there are only a handful of companies building 17-footers simply because the pricing competition is so keen in that size range and it is virtually impossible, we are told, for most builders to make any money there. Most of the builders who do build 17’ boats do so to get new buyers into their brand in hopes of moving them in a few years into boats where they can make some money. Likewise, dealer margins are thin here as well, so don’t get your heart set on a deep discount or big trade in allowance.



Bow with filler cushion in place for sunbathing or play – or use it as a casting platform!

An alternative approach that a few builders have taken is simply to add a large swim platform over the lower unit of the stern drive, call the boat an 18-footer, and boost the price by several thousand dollars. And that’s fine in our book, because the consumer gets a big swim platform which has a lot of utility, the manufacturer keeps building in the class because he can make a few bucks, and it serves the purpose of giving the consumer more choices. If you like the swim platform, then move up to Larson’s 180 Sport. It is slightly different and has a few extra amenities.

VEC Is the Secret

Of all of the boats we surveyed in this class, the Larson 1750 and one other brand were the lightest by from 60 to 130 pounds. How does Larson do that? The answer is the VEC construction system which is possibly the most advanced robotic and computer-aided lamination of a boat hull in the boating business.

The VEC process is basically a huge clamshell metal die in which the glass is laid and the resin infused and “cooked off” with tremendous heat. This means that the inside of the laminate can be just as smooth and finished as the outside, sort of like most builders are doing these days with resin transfer molding of hatches and small parts – only Larson does it to the whole hull.



The rounded stern is right from the Italian Riviera. How about a little dolce vita?

As a result, the engine compartment, the interiors of lockers and bins are just as smooth and attractive as they would be if the boat had a conventional fiberglass liner. Generally, liners add little or no strength to the hull and are used mostly for cosmetic reasons. This is, quite simply, where Larson saves anywhere from 60 pounds to 130 pounds of weight over the other boats in her class. Saved weight in the liners eliminated means some saved money, and in the case of VEC lots of saved man hours (VEC hulls are made in 30 minutes). The more boats that can be made in a day means overhead can be amortized over more units. It appears to us as that the money Larson is saving in the liner material, man hours, and lower overhead per unit is being passed along this year in very competitive pricing.



She looks just as good on a trailer as she does in the water.

The VEC process has some other benefits as well. Because there are no liners, annoying rattles, clatter and vibration that can occur are all virtually eliminated. Further, because the parts are made from steel dies their tolerances are unlike virtually anything in the industry, which permits the VEC boats to be manufactured with more precision and other parts, such as seats and windshields, can be made with tighter tolerances. Tighter tolerances mean better fit and finish.

Performance

Since all boats in the 17’ class use the carbureted 3.0L 135-hp GM block as their standard engine, use the same props, have similar hull shapes and beam a major component of performance will be weight. So – all things being equal – the 1750 should have a slight edge here. We have not tested the boat, so we do not know if this theory will prove out. Certainly the 60 to 130 pounds weight savings over other boats in class should save fuel over the road when towing.

In summary, the new Larson 1750 is quite competitive with all of the boats in her class on price, features, equipment and amenities, but has the added advantage of a higher perceived fit and finish, value, and -- dare we say it? – brand prestige than most of the other models in her price range. How can you go wrong?

Larson 1750 LX (2009-) Standard and Optional Equipment

Systems
CD Stereo
Trailer
Exterior Features
Swim Ladder
Swim Platform
Canvas
Bimini Top
Cockpit Cover

= Standard = Optional

Larson 1750 LX (2009-) Warranty Information

Warranties change from time to time. While BoatTEST.com has tried to insure the most up-to-date warranty offered by each builder, it does not guarantee the accuracies of the information presented below. Please check with the boat builder or your local dealer before you buy any boat.
Hull Warranty
Years	Lifetime LImited Warranty
Certifications
NMMA Certification	Yes

Larson 1750 LX (2009-) Price

Base Price (MSRP)	N/A
Price as Tested	N/A
Prices, features, designs, and equipment are subject to change. Please see your local dealer or visit the builder's website for the latest information available on this boat model.