Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2007 vs Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2007 vs Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2008 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2008 measures 23,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2007 at 18,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2008 tips the scales at 4 000 lbs - 1 300 lbs less than the Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2007 at 2 700 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 320 hp, the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2008 has a 95-hp advantage over the Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2007's 225-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2008 carries 53 gallons versus 30 gallons in the Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2007. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2008 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2007 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 7 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeCaravelle
MakeCaravelle
Model186 Bowrider
Model237LS Bowrider
Model Year2007
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 0 in.
Beam8 ft. 6 in.
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches102
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise20℃
Weight - Detail2,700 lbs.
Weight - Detail4,000 lbs.
Weight - kg1224.7
Weight - kg1814.37
Weight - lbs.2700
Weight - lbs.4000
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet23
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in.
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 5 in.
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters7.14
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches281
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury: 19 in. Volvo: 21 in.
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.53
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches21
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - DetailMercury: 36 in. Volvo: 38 in.
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches38
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches5
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo 3.0L (wps) - 135 hp
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi - 270 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Detail53 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56
Fuel tank capacity - Liters200.63
Fuel tank capacity - Gal30
Fuel tank capacity - Gal53
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max225 hp
Engine max320 hp
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailTennessee, single-axle
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - Height6 ft. 2 in.
Trailer - Heightnot available
Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 2 in. (Removable trailer tongue will shorten length by approximately 16 in.)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in.
Trailer - Widthnot available