A heavy and expensive diesel engine and a six-metre-long bowrider made in the USA - does that go together? It is not due to the technology and performance of the modern diesel engines that potential buyers search in vain for a diesel engine for the LSR 2000 in the price list of the German Larson importer. The reason for the lack of diesel engines is to make it easy for trailer captains and thrifty travellers. Will it work? It is clear that a total weight of around 1200 kg, the price of 42,050 euros (both with the 220 hp test engine) and not least the sporty design are attractive. But is that enough?
The LSR is certainly interesting for someone who also wants to travel by road with their boat, prefers inland waterways and coastal waters and enjoys (sun)bathing, diving, fishing and waterskiing. The question of whether white upholstery seams and matt black lacquered windscreen frames are practical is a minor issue in the "fun community". The fact is that the paint on the aluminium frame under the shameful port and transport tarpaulin does not last forever and the beautiful seams will eventually become unsightly. Shapes and colours, on the other hand, remain real eye-catchers in the long term. The gelcoat is first-class, the spray-applied laminate and the final coat of paint on the inside are undoubtedly neat.
Four or six-cylinder? Regardless of the choice of engine, LSR customers prioritise the joy of driving. If the tested V-6 engine with single-Z drive is on the order form, the owner can look forward to more than just a top speed of 46 knots. Once they have familiarised themselves with the well-placed and smooth-running single-lever throttle and gear shift and the integrated trim switch, they can accelerate the "front-runner" to its top speed quickly and without any visual obstructions. The situation only becomes opaque in the dark and in the rain. The safety glass of the windscreen is tinted and there is no wiper. Bad? The windscreen is flat and you can see more over it than through it anyway. That can be a good thing, but it can also be a bad thing. The tester tends to favour the latter.
There is "nothing to complain about" in terms of handling characteristics. Properly trimmed, the LSR 2000 with its perfect power steering can be easily steered into tight bends and circles at normal bank angles even at speeds of 35 knots. No hooking, rocking or propeller ventilation. The driver and front passenger find the necessary lateral support on fast roundabouts in the thickly and firmly upholstered bucket seats. The fact that the seats can be swivelled and moved and have armrests, adjustable backrests and reclining seats is commendable. The comfortable seats only reach their limits in rough water. The only thing you can do to counteract the hard seating in the wave is to ease off the throttle. If you set yourself a speed limit, you will protect your intervertebral discs and your wallet.
In the economical speed range (22 kn at 2500 rpm), the V-6 consumes less than one litre of premium petrol per nautical mile. The fact that the LSR 2000 does not mutate into an endurance runner is due to the far too small tank. With 72 litres of fuel on board, you simply can't make any great leaps. In other words, when water skiing or wakeboarding at full load, the fun is over after just under an hour. The small turning circles and rapid reversing, which make mooring manoeuvres at the bunker station child's play, are little consolation.
The boat is moored to five sufficiently underlaid mooring cleats, which, like the rubbing strake, are made of plastic and steel to match the size of the boat. The position lantern and the fact that the biminitop, cockpit tarpaulins and cockpit carpet fit perfectly but cost extra are unsuitable because they are not authorised everywhere in Germany. The standard cockpit equipment includes a large, integrated bathing platform with ladder, clearly laid out dashboard console, sturdy handrails, stern bench, a small sunbed above the engine compartment and the spacious storage compartments for skis, wakeboard and "everyday odds and ends".
The technicians' equipment list starts with A for automatic fire extinguisher and ends with Z for towing eye for water skiing. In between, the tester notes easy-to-read instruments for the engine functions, 12-volt automatic circuit breakers, main battery switch, electric bilge pump, engine compartment fan and a fuel filter with water separator. Cables and lines are clearly laid out and adequately supported under the dashboard and in the service-friendly engine compartment. At this point, criticism centres on the lack of a manual bilge pump, fuel shut-off valve, compass and depth sounder, as well as the engine compartment ventilation system, which allows water to run into the bilge when the boat is reversing at speed. The fact that the engine compartment has no sound insulation cannot be criticised in view of the (good) measurement results.
Conclusion: The Larson LSR 2000 impresses with its good handling characteristics and decent workmanship. It is the right choice for anyone who enjoys speed and is looking for a trailerable boat for water skiing and the like. Its shortcomings are the small tank and the limited standard equipment.
Data sheet: Larson LSR 2000
Shipyard: Larson Boats
Type designation: Larson LSR 2000
CE category: C - Coastal waters
Material of hull and deck: Plastic
Length: 6,12 m
Width: 2,33 m
Displacement: 1,22 t
Price: 42.050,00 €
