Larson Adds Convenience to the Family on the Go

Take This Cruiser Wherever You’re Headed

By Capt. Bob Smith

Test Captain

Larson has designed a trailerable, mid-cabin cruiser with an emphasis on performance, with the introduction of the Cabrio 240. Larson has loaded this cruiser up with a healthy list of standard features so you are not buying a barebones cruiser.

Bow Features

Getting to the front of the boat to handle the ground tackle is pretty easy with the wide steps built into the dash and the wide walkthrough windshield. An anchor roller is standard but an optional winch is available to make it easy for anyone to handle the anchoring chores. The cockpit has a handy refreshment center with Corian Countertop with sink and faucet along with lots of storage below for chips and other dry goods. The carry on cooler is close by and held in place next to the refreshment center, keeping ice and chilled drinks handy for entertaining in the spacious cockpit. The main breakers and battery switch are located behind a drop down panel in the port wall next to these seats.

Engine Access

A large in-floor hatch gets you access to the power plant below. There is plenty of room for checking the engine and doing routine maintenance. If you choose to add the optional air conditioner, you will not be cramping the mechanical spaces, as there is room to spare in here.

Cockpit Seating

The rear facing bench seat can be lowered to make a large sun pad for tanning. When it is time to serve snacks, a table can be set up back here as well. The rear bench seat is both simple to set up and put away, so you can choose more seating or open space if you decide to fish from the boat. After a dip you can rinse off with the swim shower at the stern walkthrough area. A sturdy grab rail runs across the stern to give you a solid grip on the boat while standing on the swim platform. The bolt-on swim platform is plenty sturdy and has a telescoping swim ladder tucked under the platform. You can opt for the extended swim platform if needed.

Well-Designed Helm

The spacious helm area is outfitted with wood trim accents. Larson has placed a convenient chart holder in the top of the dash right where the driver needs it, rather than somewhere else where the maps may get misplaced. Standard gauges are arranged for easy view at a quick glance. A joystick control is here to manage the spotlight as well as remote for the Sirius Satellite radio with AM/FM/CD, which is mounted in the cabin next to the galley. The helm seat features a flip-up bolster for added visibility and comfort underway.

Stepping Below

Down in the cabin, you have over six feet of headroom and good light thanks to the four portlights and hatch above. The galley is port mounted and includes a microwave, coffeemaker, small refrigerator, and single-burner stove. Cabinets can handle enough supplies for a weekend on the water. If you opt for it, you get a DVD player mounted next to the radio and a flat screen TV in the peak of the V-berth/dinette area. The dinette seats four or five easily and has a large wood table for meals. The mid-cabin has a queen-sized berth, privacy curtain, reading lights, and thanks to the window will not feel as cramped. The full “wet head” includes a manual pump out toilet with vanity, and pull out spray handle shower head.

Specs

The Cabrio measures in at 24’7” length overall with an 8’6” beam. She weighs in at 5,750 lbs., which makes her trailerable. The 240 requires 35” of clearance with the outdrive completely down. Her fuel capacity is 84 gallons and she carries 19 gallons of fresh water for cooking and showers. Engine packages range from a Volvo 5.0 GL DP 220-hp I/O to a MerCruiser 350 MAG MPI, or Volvo 5.7 OSXI DP 320-hp I/O.

Performance and Test Ride

The Cabrio 240’s deep-V hull and 20-degree deadrise delivered a smooth ride during our test run. We did the testing on an inland lake in Minnesota with two people on board, and ¾ of a tank of fuel. We found her best cruise to be around 3000 rpm traveling a brisk 21.2 mph with a fuel burn of 10.6gph, which gave us a range of about 151 miles. She produced a top end speed of 44.4 mph at 5390 rpm, burning 23.7gph with the 300-hp MerCruiser 350 MAG MPI Bravo III installed. The boat planed in just 4 seconds and was up to 30 mph in a total of 8.3 seconds. Sound levels were very reasonable with 85 dBa at cruise speed and 92 dBa at top end.

Larson has designed a complete package with the Cabrio 240, which offers amenities and performance in a trailerable cruiser.

• Top speed for the Larson Cabrio 240 (2006-) is 44.4 MPH (71.5 KPH), burning 23.7 gallons per hour (GPH) or 89.7 liters per hour (LPH).


• Best cruise for the Larson Cabrio 240 (2006-) is 27.1 MPH (43.6 KPH), and the boat gets 2.44 miles per gallon (MPG) or 1.04 kilometers per liter (KPL), giving the boat a cruising range of 185 miles (297.73 kilometers).


• Tested power is 1 x 300-hp MerCruiser 350 MAG MPI.

Larson Cabrio 240 (2006-) Standard and Optional Equipment

Systems
Air Cond./Heat
Battery Charger/Converter
CD Stereo
Head: Fixed
Shore Power
Trim Tabs
TV/DVD
Galley
Coffeemaker
Microwave
Refrigerator
Stove
Exterior Features
Carpet: Cockpit
Outlet: 12-Volt Acc
Swim Ladder
Swim Platform
Transom Shower
Wet bar
Canvas
Bimini Top
Camper Back
Cockpit Cover

= Standard = Optional