Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 vs Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 or the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008?

For trailering, the Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 has the edge at 25 lbs dry weight versus 45 lbs for the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008. 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 242LS Bowrider 2008 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 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.

Q: How many passengers can the Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 carry?

The Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 has an official capacity rating of 9 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005. 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 or the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008?

The Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 has the bigger tank at 6 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 and Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 and the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 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 Fish & Ski 2005 vs Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008

Caravelle

Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005

2005

View full specs →

Caravelle

Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 vs Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 vs Caravelle 242LS 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 242LS 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. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 3 gal and 6 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

The Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 is rated for up to 9 people. Passenger data for the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 and its 375-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 with its 225-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeCaravelle

Model187 Fish & Ski

Model242LS Bowrider

Model Year2005

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise20 degrees

Deadrise21℃

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. Volvo: 39 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail2500 lbs

Weight - Detail4,500 lbs

Weight - kg1133.98

Weight - kg2041.16

Weight - lbs.25

Weight - lbs.45

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 - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet25

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches11

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length [over all with swim platform]25 ft. 11 in

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Gal3

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Engine max225

Engine max375 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7Gi - 300 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 typeModified Vee

Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 vs Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 or the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008?

For trailering, the Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 has the edge at 25 lbs dry weight versus 45 lbs for the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008. 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 242LS Bowrider 2008 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 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 passengers can the Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 carry?

The Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 has an official capacity rating of 9 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005. 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 187 Fish & Ski 2005 or the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008?

The Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 has the bigger tank at 6 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 and Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 187 Fish & Ski 2005 and the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 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 Fish & Ski 2005 full specs ← Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 full specs