Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 vs Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 or the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008?

For trailering, the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 has the edge at 25 lbs dry weight versus 27 lbs for the Caravelle 196LS 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 has a documented max rating of 225 hp. Engine specifications for the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 is certified for 6. 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 188 Bowrider 2001 and Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 share an 8' 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 and Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 3 gallons and 3 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 and Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 and the Caravelle 196LS 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 188 Bowrider 2001 vs Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008

Caravelle

Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001

2001

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Caravelle

Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 vs Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 vs Caravelle 196LS 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 Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 tops out at 225 hp. Engine specs for the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 3 gal and 3 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCaravelle

Model188 Bowrider

Model196LS Bowrider

Model Year2001

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8'

Beam8 ft. 0 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches96

Deadrise20 degrees

Deadrise20℃

Weight - Detail2500 lbs

Weight - Detail2,700 lbs

Weight - kg1133.98

Weight - kg1224.7

Weight - lbs.25

Weight - lbs.27

Length overall - Detail18'

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 11 in

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters6.07

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches239

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury: 17 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: 33 in. Volvo: 35 in

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches35

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet19

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches11

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard210 Max

Engine/s standardVolvo 3.0GL (wps) - 135 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Gal3

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max225 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people8 persons

Maximum peoplenot available

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailOptional

Trailer - Detailnot available

Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 vs Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 or the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008?

For trailering, the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 has the edge at 25 lbs dry weight versus 27 lbs for the Caravelle 196LS 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 has a documented max rating of 225 hp. Engine specifications for the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 is certified for 6. 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 188 Bowrider 2001 and Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 share an 8' 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 and Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 3 gallons and 3 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 and Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2001 and the Caravelle 196LS 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 188 Bowrider 2001 full specs ← Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 full specs