Caravelle 200 Center Console 2009 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 200 Center Console 2009 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002?

For trailering, the Caravelle 200 Center Console 2009 has the edge at 26 lbs dry weight versus 45 lbs for the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002. 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 280 Center Console 2002 is rated to a maximum of 500 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 200 Center Console 2009 tops out at 200 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 200 Center Console 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 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 2002 measures 105" wide, compared to 99" for the Caravelle 200 Center Console 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 200 Center Console 2009 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 75 gallons on the Caravelle 200 Center Console 2009. That 120-gallon difference translates to roughly 360–600 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 200 Center Console 2009 and Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 200 Center Console 2009 and the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 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 200 Center Console 2009 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002

Caravelle

Caravelle 200 Center Console 2009

2009

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Caravelle

Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002

2002

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 200 Center Console 2009 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 200 Center Console 2009 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 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 500 hp, the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 has a 300-hp advantage over the Caravelle 200 Center Console 2009's 200-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 280 Center Console 2002 carries 195 gallons versus 75 gallons in the Caravelle 200 Center Console 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 280 Center Console 2002 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Caravelle 200 Center Console 2009 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Caravelle 200 Center Console 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCaravelle

Model200 Center Console

Model280 Center Console

Model Year2009

Model Year2002

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam99 in

Beam105"

Beam - Meters2.51

Beam - Meters2.67

Beam - Inches99

Beam - Inches105

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise24 degrees

Draft [max] - DetailUp: 16 in. Down: 30 in

Draft [max] - Detail24"

Draft [max] - Meters0.76

Draft [max] - Meters0.61

Draft [max] - Inches3

Draft [max] - Inches24

Weight - Detail2,600 lbs

Weight - Detail4500 lbs

Weight - kg1179.34

Weight - kg2041.16

Weight - lbs.26

Weight - lbs.45

Length - Feet19.67

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail19.67 ft

Length overall - Detail28' 0"

Length overall - Meters5.99

Length overall - Meters8.53

Length overall - Inches236.04

Length overall - Inches336

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail27"

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches27

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMercury 150XL Optimax - 150 hp (aluminum prop)

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail195 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91

Fuel tank capacity - Liters738.15

Fuel tank capacity - Gal75

Fuel tank capacity - Gal195

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Engine max200 hp

Engine max500 hp Max

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailOptional

Caravelle 200 Center Console 2009 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 200 Center Console 2009 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002?

For trailering, the Caravelle 200 Center Console 2009 has the edge at 26 lbs dry weight versus 45 lbs for the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002. 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 280 Center Console 2002 is rated to a maximum of 500 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 200 Center Console 2009 tops out at 200 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 200 Center Console 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 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 2002 measures 105" wide, compared to 99" for the Caravelle 200 Center Console 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 200 Center Console 2009 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 75 gallons on the Caravelle 200 Center Console 2009. That 120-gallon difference translates to roughly 360–600 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 200 Center Console 2009 and Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 200 Center Console 2009 and the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 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 200 Center Console 2009 full specs ← Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 full specs