I'm getting my first boat, and with a family of 6 do not want to get
something too small, but on the other hand, not completely certain how
much use the boat will get, being new to it (although my wife had a
boat as a kid and loved it).

So at the local boat show in Minneapolis, shopped around different
makes, types, and sizes, and came up with the Larson Escape 214
deckboat style. Accomodates 12 according to the placard, and I believe
it. Chose it on the basis of amenities, my perception of its quality,
recommendation of knowledgable friends, and for what it's worth, the
factory is 30 minutes from here.

Anyone have any opinions on the boat?

Mitch

Hi Mitchell,

Larson makes a damn fine boat. Not fast, heavy, and could have done a
better job with the electrical, but otherwise, well made and
"bulletproof". My dad owned a Larson for 25 years.
I recommend you get a 4 stroke Suzuki as near to MAX allowable as
possible. It will need every bit of power you can give it to get on a
plane with a load of passengers. Trim tabs are a must, and so is a
winter storage garage.

You may want to read my webpage about "Abandon Ship, Children & Pet
Lifejackets"

I strongly recommend you and wife take the USCG (Or Power Squadron) Safe
Boating Class.

www.home.earthlink.net/~aartworks/solas.html

Regards, and welcome to boating!

Capt. Frank Hopkins

Mitchell Gossman wrote:
I'm getting my first boat, and with a family of 6 do not want to get
something too small, but on the other hand, not completely certain how
much use the boat will get, being new to it (although my wife had a
boat as a kid and loved it).

So at the local boat show in Minneapolis, shopped around different
makes, types, and sizes, and came up with the Larson Escape 214
deckboat style. Accomodates 12 according to the placard, and I believe
it. Chose it on the basis of amenities, my perception of its quality,
recommendation of knowledgable friends, and for what it's worth, the
factory is 30 minutes from here.

Anyone have any opinions on the boat?

Mitch

I have an 18 foot Larson and I have been very satisfied with it. It's even
the "underpowered" 4 cylinder model and the thing still does 46 MPH, 42 with
2 people aboard pulling a slalom skier!


MC

"Mitchell Gossman" wrote in message
om...
I'm getting my first boat, and with a family of 6 do not want to get
something too small, but on the other hand, not completely certain how
much use the boat will get, being new to it (although my wife had a
boat as a kid and loved it).

So at the local boat show in Minneapolis, shopped around different
makes, types, and sizes, and came up with the Larson Escape 214
deckboat style. Accomodates 12 according to the placard, and I believe
it. Chose it on the basis of amenities, my perception of its quality,
recommendation of knowledgable friends, and for what it's worth, the
factory is 30 minutes from here.

Anyone have any opinions on the boat?

Mitch

Nice website..

The engine I'm looking at is 270 HP fuel injected Mercruiser - biggest
one available, I/O, with trim. Sounds like I'm making a reasonable
decision!?

"Capt. Frank Hopkins" wrote in message nk.net...
Hi Mitchell,

Larson makes a damn fine boat. Not fast, heavy, and could have done a
better job with the electrical, but otherwise, well made and
"bulletproof". My dad owned a Larson for 25 years.
I recommend you get a 4 stroke Suzuki as near to MAX allowable as
possible. It will need every bit of power you can give it to get on a
plane with a load of passengers. Trim tabs are a must, and so is a
winter storage garage.

You may want to read my webpage about "Abandon Ship, Children & Pet
Lifejackets"

I strongly recommend you and wife take the USCG (Or Power Squadron) Safe
Boating Class.

www.home.earthlink.net/~aartworks/solas.html

Regards, and welcome to boating!

Capt. Frank Hopkins

Mitchell Gossman wrote:
I'm getting my first boat, and with a family of 6 do not want to get
something too small, but on the other hand, not completely certain how
much use the boat will get, being new to it (although my wife had a
boat as a kid and loved it).

So at the local boat show in Minneapolis, shopped around different
makes, types, and sizes, and came up with the Larson Escape 214
deckboat style. Accomodates 12 according to the placard, and I believe
it. Chose it on the basis of amenities, my perception of its quality,
recommendation of knowledgable friends, and for what it's worth, the
factory is 30 minutes from here.

Anyone have any opinions on the boat?

Mitch

Hi again Mitchall,
IMHO you will be well satisfied with the boat and power combinatinon,
though I think the 270hp power plant is a Volvo 5.0 GXI. You can add the
optional dp* drive

Volvo's duo prop (dp*) is a great engine and more fuel efficient.
source: www.larsonboats.com


You will want to install trim tabs to help balance out the load of
kids/coolers/ and the three and a half cubic yards of "wife stuff" which all
family boats seem to accumulate.


http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...240&storeNum=6

Click the link above to view trim tabs.

Make sure you have all the safety equipment you will need for the type of
water you are crossing. If you want any help with the items, send me an
email.


Remove "KILLSPAM" for a valid address.

Welcome to the 3/5ths wider world of boating!

Capt. Frank
www.home.earthlink.net/~aartworks

"Mitchell Gossman" wrote in message
m...
Nice website..

The engine I'm looking at is 270 HP fuel injected Mercruiser - biggest
one available, I/O, with trim. Sounds like I'm making a reasonable
decision!?

"Capt. Frank Hopkins" wrote in message
nk.net...
Hi Mitchell,

Larson makes a damn fine boat. Not fast, heavy, and could have done a
better job with the electrical, but otherwise, well made and
"bulletproof". My dad owned a Larson for 25 years.
I recommend you get a 4 stroke Suzuki as near to MAX allowable as
possible. It will need every bit of power you can give it to get on a
plane with a load of passengers. Trim tabs are a must, and so is a
winter storage garage.

You may want to read my webpage about "Abandon Ship, Children & Pet
Lifejackets"

I strongly recommend you and wife take the USCG (Or Power Squadron)
Safe
Boating Class.

www.home.earthlink.net/~aartworks/solas.html

Regards, and welcome to boating!

Capt. Frank Hopkins

Mitchell Gossman wrote:
I'm getting my first boat, and with a family of 6 do not want to get
something too small, but on the other hand, not completely certain
how
much use the boat will get, being new to it (although my wife had a
boat as a kid and loved it).

So at the local boat show in Minneapolis, shopped around different
makes, types, and sizes, and came up with the Larson Escape 214
deckboat style. Accomodates 12 according to the placard, and I
believe
it. Chose it on the basis of amenities, my perception of its
quality,
recommendation of knowledgable friends, and for what it's worth, the
factory is 30 minutes from here.

Anyone have any opinions on the boat?

Mitch