Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 or the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005?

For trailering, the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 has the edge at 27 lbs dry weight versus 43 lbs for the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005. 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005 tops out at 47 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005 is certified for 7. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 and Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005 share an 8 ft. 0 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 or the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005?

The Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005 has the bigger tank at 8 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008. That 5-gallon difference translates to roughly 15–25 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 and Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 and the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005 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 196LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005

Caravelle

Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008

2008

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Caravelle

Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 225 hp, the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 has a 178-hp advantage over the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005's 47-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005 carries 8 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008. 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 Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 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

Model196LS Bowrider

ModelInterceptor 260 Sport Cabin

Model Year2008

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 0 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches96

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise24 degrees

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

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 in. Volvo: 35 in

Draft [max] - DetailMercury 38 in. - 39 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail2,700 lbs

Weight - Detail4300 lbs

Weight - kg1224.7

Weight - kg1950.45

Weight - lbs.27

Weight - lbs.43

Length - Feet19

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches11

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 11 in

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 7 in

Length overall - Meters6.07

Length overall - Meters7.8

Length overall - Inches239

Length overall - Inches307

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 3.0GL (wps) - 135 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal3

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max225 hp

Engine max47

Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 or the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005?

For trailering, the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 has the edge at 27 lbs dry weight versus 43 lbs for the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005. 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005 tops out at 47 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005 is certified for 7. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 and Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005 share an 8 ft. 0 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 or the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005?

The Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005 has the bigger tank at 8 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008. That 5-gallon difference translates to roughly 15–25 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 and Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 196LS Bowrider 2008 and the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005 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 196LS Bowrider 2008 full specs ← Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2005 full specs