Caravelle 176 Bowrider  2006 boat specs
Caravelle
Caravelle 176 Bowrider 2006
2006
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VS
Caravelle 176 Fish & Ski   2003 boat specs
Caravelle
Caravelle 176 Fish & Ski 2003
2003
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Caravelle 176 Bowrider 2006 vs Caravelle 176 Fish & Ski 2003 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 176 Bowrider 2006 vs Caravelle 176 Fish & Ski 2003 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 135 hp for the Caravelle 176 Bowrider 2006 and 135 hp for the Caravelle 176 Fish & Ski 2003. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 2 gal and 2 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 7 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Caravelle 176 Bowrider 2006 and Caravelle 176 Fish & Ski 2003 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.
General Boat Info
MakeCaravelle
MakeCaravelle
Model176 Bowrider
Model176 Fish & Ski
Model Year2006
Model Year2003
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 2 in
Beam7 ft. 2 in
Beam - Meters2.18
Beam - Meters2.18
Beam - Inches86
Beam - Inches86
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise18 degrees
Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury 16 in. - Volvo 21 in
Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury 16 in. - Volvo 21 in
Draft [drive up] meters0.53
Draft [drive up] meters0.53
Draft [drive up] inches21
Draft [drive up] inches21
Draft [max] - DetailMercury 32 in. - Volvo 33 in
Draft [max] - DetailMercury 32 in. - Volvo 33 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Inches33
Draft [max] - Inches33
Weight - Detail2,300 lbs
Weight - Detail2100 lbs
Weight - kg1043.26
Weight - kg952.54
Weight - lbs.23
Weight - lbs.21
Length - Feet17
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Inches4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Meters5.28
Length overall - Meters5.28
Length overall - Inches208
Length overall - Inches208
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail6 ft. 1 in. with Tennessee single axle trailer
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters1.85
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches73
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo 3.0GL (w/ power steering)
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71
Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Drive typenot available
Engine max135 hp
Engine max135
Operational Info
Maximum people7
Maximum people7 persons
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailTennessee, single-axle
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - Height6 ft. 1 in
Trailer - Heightnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 3 in
Trailer - Widthnot available

Caravelle 176 Bowrider 2006 vs Caravelle 176 Fish & Ski 2003 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 176 Bowrider 2006 or the Caravelle 176 Fish & Ski 2003?
For trailering, the Caravelle 176 Fish & Ski 2003 has the edge at 21 lbs dry weight versus 23 lbs for the Caravelle 176 Bowrider 2006. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Caravelle 176 Bowrider 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Caravelle 176 Fish & Ski 2003 is certified for 7. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?
Both the Caravelle 176 Bowrider 2006 and Caravelle 176 Fish & Ski 2003 share an 7 ft. 2 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Caravelle 176 Bowrider 2006 and Caravelle 176 Fish & Ski 2003?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 2 gallons and 2 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.
Are the Caravelle 176 Bowrider 2006 and Caravelle 176 Fish & Ski 2003 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Caravelle 176 Bowrider 2006 and the Caravelle 176 Fish & Ski 2003 are built by Caravelle. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.