Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008?

For trailering, the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 has the edge at 25 lbs dry weight versus 56 lbs for the Caravelle 280 Center Console 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 280 Center Console 2008 has a documented max rating of 250 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 280 Center Console 2008 is certified for 8. 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 280 Center Console 2008 measures 105" 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 280 Center Console 2008?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002. That 192-gallon difference translates to roughly 576–960 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 and Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 and the Caravelle 280 Center Console 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 Fish & Ski 2002 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008

Caravelle

Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002

2002

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Caravelle

Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 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 280 Center Console 2008 tops out at 250 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 280 Center Console 2008 carries 195 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 188 Fish & Ski 2002 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 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 280 Center Console 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCaravelle

Model188 Fish & Ski

Model280 Center Console

Model Year2002

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8'

Beam105 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.67

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches105

Deadrise20 degrees

Deadrise24℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail27 in

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [drive up] inches27

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

Draft [max] - Detail41 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters1.04

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches41

Weight - Detail2500 lbs

Weight - Detail5,600 lbs

Weight - kg1133.98

Weight - kg2540.12

Weight - lbs.25

Weight - lbs.56

Length overall - Detail18'

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters8.53

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches336

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet28

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard210 Max

Engine/s standardYamaha Twin Z200TX - 400 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail195 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Liters738.15

Fuel tank capacity - Gal3

Fuel tank capacity - Gal195

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Engine maxnot available

Engine maxTwin 250 hp (500 hp)

Operational Info

Maximum people9 persons

Maximum peoplenot available

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailOptional

Trailer - Detailnot available

Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008?

For trailering, the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 has the edge at 25 lbs dry weight versus 56 lbs for the Caravelle 280 Center Console 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 280 Center Console 2008 has a documented max rating of 250 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 280 Center Console 2008 is certified for 8. 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 280 Center Console 2008 measures 105" 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 280 Center Console 2008?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002. That 192-gallon difference translates to roughly 576–960 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 and Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 188 Fish & Ski 2002 and the Caravelle 280 Center Console 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 Fish & Ski 2002 full specs ← Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 full specs