Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2009 boat specs
Caravelle
Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2009
2009
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VS
Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2009 boat specs
Caravelle
Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2009
2009
View full specs →

Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2009 vs Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2009 against a deep vee Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2009 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2009 measures 23,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2009 at 18,0 feet (2009). At 27 lbs and 35 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 375 hp, the Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2009 has a 150-hp advantage over the Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2009'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 232 LS Bowrider 2009 carries 36 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2009. 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 232 LS Bowrider 2009 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2009 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2009 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
Model232 LS Bowrider
Model Year2009
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 0 in
Beam8 ft. 4 in
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches1
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury: 17 in. Volvo: 21 in
Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury: 19 in. Volvo: 22 in
Draft [drive up] meters0.53
Draft [drive up] meters0.56
Draft [drive up] inches21
Draft [drive up] inches22
Draft [max] - DetailMercury: 33 in. Volvo: 35 in
Draft [max] - DetailMercury: 35 in. Volvo: 36 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - Detail2,700 lbs
Weight - Detail3,500 lbs
Weight - kg1224.7
Weight - kg1587.57
Weight - lbs.27
Weight - lbs.35
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet23
Length overall - Detail18.0 ft
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters7.01
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches276
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo 3.0L (wps) - 135 hp
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0GXi - 270 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail36 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56
Fuel tank capacity - Liters136.27
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Fuel tank capacity - Gal36
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max225 hp
Engine max375 hp
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailTennessee, single-axle
Trailer - DetailTennessee, tandem-axle with brakes
Trailer - Height6 ft. 2 in
Trailer - Height6 ft. 3 in
Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 2 in. (Removable trailer tongue will shorten length by approximately 16 in.)
Trailer - Length over all27 ft. 1 in. (Removable trailer tongue will shorten length by approximately 26 in.)
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in
Operational Info
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people8

Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2009 vs Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2009 or the Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2009?
The Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2009 is the longer of the two at 23,0 feet overall. The Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2009 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 5,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2009 or the Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2009?
For trailering, the Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2009 has the edge at 27 lbs dry weight versus 35 lbs for the Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2009. 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.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2009 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2009 tops out at 225 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2009 is certified for 8. 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.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2009 measures 96" wide, compared to 1" for the Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2009. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2009 or the Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2009?
The Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2009 has the bigger tank at 36 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2009. That 33-gallon difference translates to roughly 99–165 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2009 and Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Caravelle 186 Bowrider 2009 and the Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2009 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.