Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 vs Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 or the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003?

For trailering, the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 has the edge at 2 900 lbs dry weight versus 4 300 lbs for the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 has a documented max rating of 470 hp. Engine specifications for the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 were not available in our database - check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 and Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 share an 8' 6" 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 209 Bowrider 2001 or the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003?

The Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 has the bigger tank at 80 gallons, versus 36 gallons on the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001. That 44-gallon difference translates to roughly 132–220 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 and Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 and the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 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 209 Bowrider 2001 vs Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003

Caravelle

Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001

2001

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Caravelle

Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003

2003

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 vs Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 vs Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 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 Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 tops out at 470 hp. Engine specs for the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 carries 80 gallons versus 36 gallons in the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001. 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 209 Bowrider 2001 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 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 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 Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 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

Model209 Bowrider

ModelInterceptor 260 Sport Cabin

Model Year2001

Model Year2003

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8' 6"

Beam8 ft. 0 in.

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches96

Deadrise18 degrees

Deadrise24 degrees

Weight - Detail2900 lbs

Weight - Detail4300 lbs

Weight - kg1315.42

Weight - kg1950.45

Weight - lbs.2900

Weight - lbs.4300

Length overall - Detail20' 6"

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 7 in.

Length overall - Meters6.1

Length overall - Meters7.8

Length overall - Inches240

Length overall - Inches307

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury 22 in. - Volvo 23 in.

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.58

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches23

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

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

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches39

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard300 Max.

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail36 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters136.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal36

Fuel tank capacity - Gal80

Engine maxnot available

Engine max470

Operational Info

Maximum people9 persons

Maximum peoplenot available

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailOptional

Trailer - Detailnot available

Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 vs Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 or the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003?

For trailering, the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 has the edge at 2 900 lbs dry weight versus 4 300 lbs for the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 has a documented max rating of 470 hp. Engine specifications for the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 were not available in our database - check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 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.

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

Both the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 and Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 share an 8' 6" 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 209 Bowrider 2001 or the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003?

The Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 has the bigger tank at 80 gallons, versus 36 gallons on the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001. That 44-gallon difference translates to roughly 132–220 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 and Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2001 and the Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 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 209 Bowrider 2001 full specs ← Caravelle Interceptor 260 Sport Cabin 2003 full specs