Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 or the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2007?

For trailering, the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 has the edge at 25 lbs dry weight versus 34 lbs for the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2007. 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 217LS Bowrider 2007 has a documented max rating of 300 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 217LS Bowrider 2007 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2007 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 217LS Bowrider 2007?

The Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2007 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 217LS Bowrider 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 and the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2007 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 217LS Bowrider 2007

Caravelle

Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002

2002

View full specs →

Caravelle

Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2007

2007

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2007 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 217LS Bowrider 2007 tops out at 300 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 217LS Bowrider 2007 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 188 Bowrider 2002 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2007 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 2002 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 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 217LS Bowrider 2007 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

Model217LS Bowrider

Model Year2002

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8'

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise20 degrees

Deadrise21℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [drive up] inches18

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

Draft [max] - Detail36 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail2500 lbs

Weight - Detail3,400 lbs

Weight - kg1133.98

Weight - kg1542.21

Weight - lbs.25

Weight - lbs.34

Length overall - Detail18'

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 5 in

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters6.53

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches257

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet21

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard210 Max

Engine/s standardVolvo 4.3 GL - 190 hp

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

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max300 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people9 persons

Maximum peoplenot available

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailOptional

Trailer - DetailTennessee tandem axle

Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2007 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 or the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2007?

For trailering, the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 has the edge at 25 lbs dry weight versus 34 lbs for the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2007. 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 217LS Bowrider 2007 has a documented max rating of 300 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 217LS Bowrider 2007 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2007 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 217LS Bowrider 2007?

The Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2007 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 217LS Bowrider 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 and the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2007 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 217LS Bowrider 2007 full specs