Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 vs Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 or the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003?

For trailering, the Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 has the edge at 25 lbs dry weight versus 43 lbs for the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003. 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 tops out at 47 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 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.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 and Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 share an 8 ft 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 or the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003?

The Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 has the bigger tank at 8 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003. That 5-gallon difference translates to roughly 15–25 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 and Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 and the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 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.

Boat Comparison

Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 vs Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003

Caravelle

Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003

2003

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Caravelle

Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003

2003

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 vs Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 vs Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 225 hp, the Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 has a 178-hp advantage over the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003's 47-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 Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 carries 8 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003. 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 187 Bowrider 2003 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCaravelle

Model187 Bowrider

ModelInterceptor 260 Sport Cabin

Model Year2003

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft

Beam8 ft. 0 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches96

Deadrise20 degrees

Deadrise24 degrees

Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury 17 in. - Volvo 21 in

Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury 22 in. - Volvo 23 in

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] meters0.58

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [drive up] inches23

Draft [max] - DetailMercury 33 in. - Volvo 35 in

Draft [max] - DetailMercury 38 in. - 39 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail2500 lbs

Weight - Detail4300 lbs

Weight - kg1133.98

Weight - kg1950.45

Weight - lbs.25

Weight - lbs.43

Height - Detail6 ft. 2 in. with Tennessee single axle trailer

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.88

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches74

Height - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 7 in

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters7.8

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches307

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal3

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Engine max225

Engine max47

Operational Info

Maximum people9 persons

Maximum peoplenot available

Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 vs Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 or the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003?

For trailering, the Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 has the edge at 25 lbs dry weight versus 43 lbs for the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003. 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 187 Bowrider 2003 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 tops out at 47 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 187 Bowrider 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 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 187 Bowrider 2003 and Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 share an 8 ft 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 or the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003?

The Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 has the bigger tank at 8 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003. That 5-gallon difference translates to roughly 15–25 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 and Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 and the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 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.

← Caravelle 187 Bowrider 2003 full specs ← Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 full specs