Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 vs Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 or the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009?

For trailering, the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 has the edge at 25 lbs dry weight versus 49 lbs for the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009. 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 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 Fish & Ski 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 is certified for 12. 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 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 Fish & Ski 2002 or the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009?

The Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 has the bigger tank at 13 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 and Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 and the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 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 Fish & Ski 2002 vs Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009

Caravelle

Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002

2002

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Caravelle

Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 vs Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 vs Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 tops out at 300 hp. Engine specs for the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 carries 13 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 23,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 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 Fish & Ski

Model230 Walk Around (Stern Drive)

Model Year2002

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8'

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise20 degrees

Deadrise24℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

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

Draft [max] - DetailUp: 26 in. Down: 39 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail2500 lbs

Weight - Detail4,900 lbs

Weight - kg1133.98

Weight - kg2222.6

Weight - lbs.25

Weight - lbs.49

Length overall - Detail18'

Length overall - Detail23.25 ft

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters7.09

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches279

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet23.25

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard210 Max

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0GL - 220 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1

Fuel tank capacity - Gal3

Fuel tank capacity - Gal13

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max300 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people9 persons

Maximum people12

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailOptional

Trailer - Detailnot available

Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 vs Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 or the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009?

For trailering, the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 has the edge at 25 lbs dry weight versus 49 lbs for the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009. 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 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 Fish & Ski 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 is certified for 12. 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 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 Fish & Ski 2002 or the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009?

The Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 has the bigger tank at 13 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 and Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 and the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 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 Fish & Ski 2002 full specs ← Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 full specs