Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 or the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003?

For trailering, the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 has the edge at 3 lbs dry weight versus 25 lbs for the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002. 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 207 Bowrider 2003 has a documented max rating of 32 hp. Engine specifications for the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 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 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 is certified for 10. 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002. 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 188 Bowrider 2002 or the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003?

The Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 has the bigger tank at 36 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002. That 33-gallon difference translates to roughly 99–165 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 and Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 and the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 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 188 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003

Caravelle

Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002

2002

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Caravelle

Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003

2003

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 207 Bowrider 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 Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 tops out at 32 hp. Engine specs for the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 carries 36 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002. 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 207 Bowrider 2003 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCaravelle

Model188 Bowrider

Model207 Bowrider

Model Year2002

Model Year2003

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8'

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise20 degrees

Deadrise18 degrees

Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury 17" - Volvo 21"

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [max] - DetailMercury 33" - Volvo 35"

Draft [max] - DetailMercury 33 in. - Volvo 34 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches34

Weight - Detail2500 lbs

Weight - Detail3000 lbs

Weight - kg1133.98

Weight - kg1360.78

Weight - lbs.25

Weight - lbs.3

Length overall - Detail18'

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters6.2

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches244

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail6 ft. 4 in. with Tennessee tamdem axle trailer (with brakes)

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.93

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches76

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard210 Max

Engine/s standardnot available

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 maxnot available

Engine max32

Operational Info

Maximum people9 persons

Maximum people10 persons

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailOptional

Trailer - Detailnot available

Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 or the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003?

For trailering, the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 has the edge at 3 lbs dry weight versus 25 lbs for the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002. 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 207 Bowrider 2003 has a documented max rating of 32 hp. Engine specifications for the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 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 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 is certified for 10. 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 207 Bowrider 2003 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002. 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 188 Bowrider 2002 or the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003?

The Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 has the bigger tank at 36 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002. 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 188 Bowrider 2002 and Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 and the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 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 188 Bowrider 2002 full specs ← Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 full specs