Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 vs Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 vs Caravelle 232 SS 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 375 hp, the Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2008 has a 150-hp advantage over the Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005'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 SS Bowrider 2008 carries 36 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005. 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 Fish & Ski 2005 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2008 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 Fish & Ski 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 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 232 SS Bowrider 2008 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
MakeCaravelle
Model187 Fish & Ski
Model232 SS Bowrider
Model Year2005
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches1
Deadrise20 degrees
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 - Detail2500 lbs
Weight - Detail3,500 lbs
Weight - kg1133.98
Weight - kg1587.57
Weight - lbs.25
Weight - lbs.35
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 - Detail23 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters7.01
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches276
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet23
Engine and Drivetrain
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
Engine max225
Engine max375 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0GXi - 270 hp
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Operational Info
Maximum people9 persons
Maximum peoplenot available
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Trailer Info
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailTennessee, tandem-axle with brakes
Trailer - Heightnot available
Trailer - Height6 ft. 3 in
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all27 ft. 1 in. (Removable trailer tongue will shorten length by approximately 26 in.)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in