Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 boat specs
Caravelle
Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001
2001
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VS
Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002 boat specs
Caravelle
Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002
2002
View full specs →

Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 vs Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 vs Caravelle 230 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 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 230 Center Console 2002 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
MakeCaravelle
Model209 Bowrider
Model230 Center Console
Model Year2001
Model Year2002
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8' 6"
Beam102"
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches102
Deadrise18 degrees
Deadrise24 degrees
Weight - Detail2900 lbs
Weight - Detail3650 lbs
Weight - kg1315.42
Weight - kg1655.61
Weight - lbs.29
Weight - lbs.365
Length overall - Detail20' 6"
Length overall - Detail23' 3"
Length overall - Meters6.1
Length overall - Meters7.01
Length overall - Inches24
Length overall - Inches276
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard300 Max
Engine/s standard250 Max
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
Operational Info
Maximum people9 persons
Maximum peoplenot available
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailOptional
Trailer - DetailOptional

Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 vs Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 or the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002?
For trailering, the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 has the edge at 29 lbs dry weight versus 365 lbs for the Caravelle 230 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.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002 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 230 Center Console 2002 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001. 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 209 Bowrider 2001 or the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002?
The Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 has the bigger tank at 36 gallons, versus 13 gallons on the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002. 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 209 Bowrider 2001 and Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 and the Caravelle 230 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.