Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 vs Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 or the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009?

For trailering, the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 has the edge at 3 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 tops out at 32 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 207 Bowrider 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 10 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 and Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 share an 8 ft. 6 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 207 Bowrider 2003 or the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009?

The Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 has the bigger tank at 36 gallons, versus 13 gallons on the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009. That 23-gallon difference translates to roughly 69–115 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 and Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 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 207 Bowrider 2003 vs Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009

Caravelle

Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003

2003

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Caravelle

Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009

2009

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 vs Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 has a 268-hp advantage over the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003's 32-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 207 Bowrider 2003 carries 36 gallons versus 13 gallons in the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 caps at 10. 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 207 Bowrider 2003 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCaravelle

Model207 Bowrider

Model230 Walk Around (Stern Drive)

Model Year2003

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise18 degrees

Deadrise24℃

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

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 in. - Volvo 34 in

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail3000 lbs

Weight - Detail4,900 lbs

Weight - kg1360.78

Weight - kg2222.6

Weight - lbs.3

Weight - lbs.49

Height - Detail6 ft. 4 in. with Tennessee tamdem axle trailer (with brakes)

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.93

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches76

Height - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in

Length overall - Detail23.25 ft

Length overall - Meters6.2

Length overall - Meters7.09

Length overall - Inches244

Length overall - Inches279

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet23.25

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail36 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters136.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1

Fuel tank capacity - Gal36

Fuel tank capacity - Gal13

Engine max32

Engine max300 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0GL - 220 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

Maximum people10 persons

Maximum people12

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 vs Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 or the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009?

For trailering, the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 has the edge at 3 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 tops out at 32 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 207 Bowrider 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 10 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.

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

Both the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 and Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 share an 8 ft. 6 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 207 Bowrider 2003 or the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009?

The Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 has the bigger tank at 36 gallons, versus 13 gallons on the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009. That 23-gallon difference translates to roughly 69–115 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 and Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 207 Bowrider 2003 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 207 Bowrider 2003 full specs ← Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2009 full specs