Larson Boats

[poolshark38759]

what type of boats are these?? fish ski?? i see you guys talking quite alot about them...i see one for sell in a local trader mag and was just wondering..its an 80 model...doesnt say much more about it...its selling for a couple of thousand...

 

[kameika]

Re: Larson Boats

Hi.. <br /><br />The Larsons--early in--were configured for fishing/pleasure. As of late, the Larsons tend to be less fishing and more a pleasure-style boat.<br /><br />They have the look, feel, handling of most Wellcraft pleasure boats. This shouldn't be a surprise, as Genmar is the parent company of both.<br /><br />My 1988 226 is configured as a fishing boat--but it "fakes" a great partying platform. The 225HP Sea Drive pushes the boat at 33kts top, with a cruising speed of 21kts. The boat handles very well, despite it's 5500lb dry weight.<br /><br />They were equipped with both I/O and with single/twin OBs. I recommend the latter. A few years, late 1980's were equipped with "Sea Drives." These should be avoided before ~1985 model year. OMC finally perfected the Sea Drive in the middle 1980's but their reputation for trouble was un-fixable. <br /><br />Quality-wise, the Larsons are decent. My 15-year old boat is very solid. Expect to invest two weekends each Autumn fixing "little annoyances," however. (True for any boat, right?) <br /><br />It is my understanding that caution should be exercised with Larsons from the 1992-1996 range. Evidently, there was a design, which the decking core would rot. I have not seen this first-hand, so I recommend further investigation.<br /><br />In all, if you can get a well-tended Larson with a good power plant from the late 1980's; you'll be happy.<br /><br />I hope this helps!<br /><br />Ken

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Larson Boats

I had a 1960 Larson runabout several years ago. Pretty much a flat bottom with a chiesl point nose. It got lots of looks even though it was sorta pink color. Had a 55 horse Seaking on it. It cruised along great, not so great in chop though. It would beat the crap out of ya.<br /><br />After all those years, the glass and gel was still in great shape. No stargrazing anywhere. Sorta wish I had it back.

 

[WardenJ]

Re: Larson Boats

I'm selling a 14 foot larson runabout from sometime in the 60s. It has an evinrude 55 HP with the electric shift. Fun little boat.<br /><br />

<br /><br />

 

[EZLoader]

Re: Larson Boats

Warden,<br />The boat you show for sale above is a 1967 "All American" model. In 1968 Larson used the same hull but added a walk thru windshield. My folks bought a brand new 1967 16' All American which my brother-in-law now has and still uses regularly. Your 38 year old boat still looks like new.<br /><br />I bought a 1969 16' Larson All American and I absolutely love its great handling and cushioned deep V ride. It been a great ski and fishing boat. <br /><br />I am currently looking to buy another 1969 Larson (16'-20') because mine was seriously damaged by a tree that fell on my garage during a windstorm. If anyone in Oregon, Washingon, Idaho or British Columbia has a clean one for sale let me know.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Larson Boats

Sure wish I had a pic to post of my 60 model. The inside is hard to explain. Behind the drivers and passenger seat was like a fiberglass section seperating the front from the rear. There was an opening about 16" wide to go from the front to the rear seat. At the stern it was all rounded corners. Sorta looked like a sports car interior. It was mostly good for cruising. Wasn't much room for fishing or anything else. That is why I moved up to a 20 footer as the kids got older. Then when they got way bigger, I had to move up to a 27 footer. Now they are all gone, and I love the space!

 

[WardenJ]

Re: Larson Boats

EZ, <br />thanks for the info. The boat looks better in those pics than in real life. It needs a good shining, and some time spent washing it down from sitting, but it's in pretty good shape. Whatever material they used on the floor is loose and coming up in some areas, but it's still in one piece, no tears or anything. <br /><br />It was donated to my scout ship a couple years ago, but we just don't have much use for it, so we've decided to sell it. The PO had the engine rebuilt a few years ago and it runs like a top. The electric shift even works!<br /><br />What would you think is a fair price for this boat?

 

[EZLoader]

Re: Larson Boats

Mayfloat,<br /><br />Here is a link to a 1959 that may be close to yours:<br /><br /> http://ourworld.cs.com/DaviesWalt/boat1.html <br /><br />Warden,<br /><br />I saw one like your (also donated to charity) for sale on Craigslist a month ago at $1900. Good, functionable boats always seem to bottom out around $2000.

 

[GrandLarsony]

Re: Larson Boats

I have a 1989 Larson San Marino 250 - Express styling, mid cabin, perimeter cockpit seating. For me, it's perfect. Single Merc 260 moves it great and we spend TONS of time on board.<br /><br />My opinion is that it's a "mid-quality" boat. Not on par with some brands, but if well maintained it will serve well for years to come.<br /><br />Feel free to ask if you have any other questions.

 

[burnboyy]

Re: Larson Boats

Wow that 14ft boat in the picture looks exactly like my 16ft larson 1966, even teh same nasty green color, my guess is that boat is from 66 the H ID is on teh ride side at teh top on the back

 

[oldhull]

Re: Larson Boats

hello larson owners. i'm new to all this (forum n boats)i just bought a 1969 larson 18' tri-hull with a trailer for $375 and it needs a new transom as far as i know. i don't even have a trailer hitch on my van yet. i am having a friend who does tow the boat to my (car) garage and i am hoping it fits in there. the boat has been out in the weather for some time (uncovered)and is full of snow at the moment. i'll need all yourz help in fixing this old jewel up. i will post pictures when i get the boat home (two dayz )thnx i'm 63 n this is my first boat.

 

[EZLoader]

Re: Larson Boats

Welcome Oldhull,<br />You'll love the Iboats "Boat building and restoration" forum further up the page here.<br /><br />Plenty of folks there have repaired their bad transoms and shared their experience, including photos of the whole process. Just do a search on that site for past posts about "transoms" and also ask your questions that you still need answers to. <br /><br />

 

[oldhull]

Re: Larson Boats

thanx EZ

 

[oldhull]

Re: Larson Boats

well... i tried that search n got a reply "nothing matched"

 

[EZLoader]

Re: Larson Boats

Oldhull,<br />I found a few but it looks like Iboats got rid of all postings prior to Sept. 05. If this is the case we lost a lot of valuable repair information that took years for members to post here.<br /><br />Post your questions and project information in the Boat Building and Restoration forum, not here in the Larson section. That is where you will get the most response and good answers.<br /><br />I'll look for you up there. Good luck!

 

[slimeyminnow]

Re: Larson Boats

JUST WANTED TO SHOW YOU MY 1967 LARSON 15 FT ALL AMERCIAN WITH A 1966 650 MERCURY..<br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/7115/1966larsonallamerican5rl.jpg

 

[EZLoader]

Re: Larson Boats

Beautiful boat Slimey... I remember those. I wish today's manufacturers still sold simple, clean, deep-v hulls like that. They're great for fishing and skiing and ride smoothly in rough water. <br /><br />Is that a recent photo because your boat looks great? What's your secret to keep it looking brand new?<br /><br />What do you use it for most (fishing/skiing/etc) and how do you like it?

 

[slimeyminnow]

Re: Larson Boats

THANKS ALOT EZLOADER... The boat is in show room condtion. I mostly use this boat on Lake Erie for fishing and sking. This boat handles great in rougher water.Clean the boat with soft scrub with bleach to maintain it then i wax it 2 times a year.this boat is very solid still for 38 years old the only problem is that i have dole fins on the motor which is giving me problems with water coming back in to the splash box. I'm going to take them off this season..I'm also haviing a hard time posting pics of the inside of the boat as soon as i fixed the problem will post them.Oh the photo is from this past summer.

 

[EZLoader]

Re: Larson Boats

Slimey,<br /><br />My folks bought a new 16' All American Larson for $1400.00 (w/o motor or trailer) in 1967. It was one of the nicest boats on the market at that time since it came with a stnd 18 gallon built-in gas tank, full matching color front and back top with side curtains. Initially it had an underpowered 40 hp Evinrude Big Twin but that was replaced with a new 80 hp Mercury motor in '69. The boat and motor are still in use today and have been over the Columbia River bar a few times plus used extensively for water skiing. I deep water started 9 small water skiers with it. Its deep V hull really cushions the ride in rough water. Whenever the seas got rough we could out run most other boats because they couldn't take the severe pounding on their hulls. My BIL now owns the 38 year old boat and still fishes from it today. We replaced the factory gas tank because the original factory air vent on the front of the hull let in salt water that corroded it. We moved that vent to the rear of the boat. The boat looks like it just came off the factory floor but we did replace the full deck, stringers, and transom due to rot. <br /><br />I bought a nice 1969 16' All American Larson many years ago and also used it to salmon fishing on the Columbia River, crabbing, water skiing and cruising. It was a great boat for my wife and myself but a large fir tree fell on it (and my garage) so I gave it to my brother. I'm now looking for a similar new or used boat but I may buy a larger since I want to go fishing further offshore.

 

[98Z71Silverado]

Re: Larson Boats

Originally posted by Ken-Red Bank:<br /> Hi.. <br /><br />The Larsons--early in--were configured for fishing/pleasure. As of late, the Larsons tend to be less fishing and more a pleasure-style boat.<br /><br />They have the look, feel, handling of most Wellcraft pleasure boats. This shouldn't be a surprise, as Genmar is the parent company of both.<br /><br />My 1988 226 is configured as a fishing boat--but it "fakes" a great partying platform. The 225HP Sea Drive pushes the boat at 33kts top, with a cruising speed of 21kts. The boat handles very well, despite it's 5500lb dry weight.<br /><br />They were equipped with both I/O and with single/twin OBs. I recommend the latter. A few years, late 1980's were equipped with "Sea Drives." These should be avoided before ~1985 model year. OMC finally perfected the Sea Drive in the middle 1980's but their reputation for trouble was un-fixable. <br /><br />Quality-wise, the Larsons are decent. My 15-year old boat is very solid. Expect to invest two weekends each Autumn fixing "little annoyances," however. (True for any boat, right?) <br /><br />It is my understanding that caution should be exercised with Larsons from the 1992-1996 range. Evidently, there was a design, which the decking core would rot. I have not seen this first-hand, so I recommend further investigation.<br /><br />In all, if you can get a well-tended Larson with a good power plant from the late 1980's; you'll be happy.<br /><br />I hope this helps!<br /><br />Ken

Ken, I just bought a 1994 Larson SEI 174, what is the "DECKING CORE" that you say may have problems??!!<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Dustin