Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 or the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003?

For trailering, the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 has the edge at 2 500 lbs dry weight versus 4 050 lbs for the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003. 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 242 Bowrider 2003 has a documented max rating of 425 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 242 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 242 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 242 Bowrider 2003?

The Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 has the bigger tank at 60 gallons, versus 30 gallons on the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002. That 30-gallon difference translates to roughly 90–150 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 and Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 and the Caravelle 242 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 242 Bowrider 2003

Caravelle

Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002

2002

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Caravelle

Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003

2003

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 242 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 242 Bowrider 2003 tops out at 425 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 242 Bowrider 2003 carries 60 gallons versus 30 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 242 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 242 Bowrider 2003 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 242 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

Model242 Bowrider

Model Year2002

Model Year2003

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8'

Beam8 ft. 6 in.

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise20 degrees

Deadrise21 degrees

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

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" - Volvo 35"

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 - Detail4050 lbs.

Weight - kg1133.98

Weight - kg1837.05

Weight - lbs.2500

Weight - lbs.4050

Length overall - Detail18'

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 7 in.

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters7.19

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches283

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 - Detail60 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Gal30

Fuel tank capacity - Gal60

Engine maxnot available

Engine max425

Operational Info

Maximum people9 persons

Maximum people10

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailOptional

Trailer - Detailnot available

Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 or the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003?

For trailering, the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 has the edge at 2 500 lbs dry weight versus 4 050 lbs for the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003. 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 242 Bowrider 2003 has a documented max rating of 425 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 242 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 242 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 242 Bowrider 2003?

The Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 has the bigger tank at 60 gallons, versus 30 gallons on the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002. That 30-gallon difference translates to roughly 90–150 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 and Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Caravelle 188 Bowrider 2002 and the Caravelle 242 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 242 Bowrider 2003 full specs