Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009 vs Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009 or the Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003?

For trailering, the Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009 has the edge at 2 700 lbs dry weight versus 3 650 lbs for the Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009 tops out at 225 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 Fish & Ski 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009. 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 196LS Fish & Ski 2009 or the Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003?

The Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003 has the bigger tank at 130 gallons, versus 30 gallons on the Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009. That 100-gallon difference translates to roughly 300–500 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009 and Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009 and the Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 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 196LS Fish & Ski 2009 vs Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003

Caravelle

Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009

2009

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Caravelle

Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003

2003

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009 vs Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009 vs Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 250 hp, the Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003 has a 25-hp advantage over the Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009's 225-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 Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003 carries 130 gallons versus 30 gallons in the Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009. 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 196LS Fish & Ski 2009 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 19,9 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCaravelle

Model196LS Fish & Ski

ModelSea Hawk 230 Center Console

Model Year2009

Model Year2003

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 0 in.

Beam102 in.

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise24 degrees

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail20 in.

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [drive up] inches20

Draft [max] - DetailMercury: 33 in. Volvo: 35 in.

Draft [max] - Detail34 in.

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches34

Weight - Detail2,700 lbs.

Weight - Detail3650 lbs.

Weight - kg1224.7

Weight - kg1655.61

Weight - lbs.2700

Weight - lbs.3650

Length - Feet19.92

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail19.92 ft.

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 3 in.

Length overall - Meters6.07

Length overall - Meters7.09

Length overall - Inches239.04

Length overall - Inches279

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 - Detail130 gallon

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1

Fuel tank capacity - Gal30

Fuel tank capacity - Gal130

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max225 hp

Engine max250

Operational Info

Maximum people9

Maximum peoplenot available

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity9 gallon

Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009 vs Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009 or the Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003?

For trailering, the Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009 has the edge at 2 700 lbs dry weight versus 3 650 lbs for the Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009 tops out at 225 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 Fish & Ski 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009. 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 196LS Fish & Ski 2009 or the Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003?

The Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003 has the bigger tank at 130 gallons, versus 30 gallons on the Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009. That 100-gallon difference translates to roughly 300–500 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009 and Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Caravelle 196LS Fish & Ski 2009 and the Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 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 196LS Fish & Ski 2009 full specs ← Caravelle Sea Hawk 230 Center Console 2003 full specs