Larson LX 195

The Larson LX 195 is a mid-size bowrider built in moulded fibreglass by Larson of United States, a builder trading since 1913. On our measurements it works out at roughly 19 ft 6 in (5.94 m) of hull with a beam near 8 ft 5 in (2.56 m), which places it squarely in the trailerable family bowrider class: one vehicle, one trailer, one afternoon of prep, and the boat is in the water. Century-old American brand whose LX and LXi bowriders are used-market bargains.

Layout is classic bowrider and that is the whole point of the boat. Twin lounges run forward of the windscreen with a walk-through to the anchor well, the helm and companion seats sit amidships behind a wrap screen, and a full-width lounge spans the transom for sunbathing and socialising. Around 10 people fit aboard comfortably in sheltered water. Cushions lift out, backrests fold and filler pads convert the cockpit from a conversation pit into one long sun bed in a couple of minutes.

The ride is what most owners talk about first. Deadrise through the forward sections knocks the top off bay chop, the running surface aft keeps the boat stable at rest, and the hull sits level when six people crowd one side to watch a skier. Inside the bay it feels planted and predictable, which is exactly what a family boat needs.

Power is a 135-205 hp four-stroke outboard package, and that suits both the hull and the way these boats are used. Keeping the machinery outside the hull frees up stern storage, simplifies servicing and removes the bellows and gimbal wear items that punish neglected stern drive boats. It also lifts the swim platform clear of the exhaust.

Watersports are well covered. A tow point is standard on almost every boat in this class, and Larson owners regularly add a pylon or a folding tower for wakeboarding. A healthy outboard package pulls a slalom skier out of the water cleanly and tows children on an inflatable biscuit all day without protest. Skis, ropes and vests live in the under-floor and under-seat lockers so nothing sits underfoot while the boat is loaded.

Anglers do well out of the LX 195. The bow converts to a casting deck once the cushions are stowed, there is room to swing a rod without hitting the screen, and lockers swallow tackle, nets and a cooler. It is not a dedicated fishing boat, but it catches fish and it still takes the family out the next morning — which is the entire argument for owning a bowrider.

Build and finish sit where you would expect for a budget used boat from United States. Larson dates back to 1913 and produced bowriders in enormous numbers through the 1990s and 2000s before production wound down, leaving a deep pool of affordable used boats. The LX and LXi ranges are the ones most buyers encounter: 17 to 23 foot family bowriders with the Delta Conic hull, a distinctive design combining a deep entry with flatter aft sections for stability at rest and quick planing. Owners consistently praise the ride and the amount of usable space, and the hulls were built with Larson's own moulded stringer system, which resists the rot problems that plague timber-cored competitors of the same age. Fit-out is straightforward and durable rather than luxurious. As with any older stern drive boat, the purchase decision comes down to survey rather than badge: check the transom, the floor and the drive service history. A well-kept Larson LXi is one of the most boat-for-money propositions in the entire bowrider market today.

Options worth having on the LX 195 are the practical ones: a bimini for shade, a decent bow and cockpit cover so the upholstery survives being stored outside, an upgraded sounder if you fish, and a stereo package that can be heard over the engine. On fibreglass, a ceramic coat or a good polish once a season keeps the gelcoat looking new and protects resale.

As a used buy, check the same things you would on any bowrider in this size band: transom firmness, stringer and floor soundness, hours and service history on the engine, steering and trim function, and the state of the upholstery seams, which are the first thing to fail on a boat that lives uncovered. At this end of the market condition matters far more than model year — a well-kept older boat beats a neglected newer one every time.

Our price guide for the LX 195 is US$31,000 - US$41,000 used, which moves with engine choice, trailer, tower and how recently the boat was refreshed. Judged as a whole, it does what people buy a bowrider for: cruise, tow, swim, fish and entertain in one boat, without asking the family to compromise on any of them. Larson has been refining that formula since 1913, and the LX 195 is a straightforward, well-judged expression of it.