Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002 or the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008?

For trailering, the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002 has the edge at 29 lbs dry weight versus 34 lbs for the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008. 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 217LS Bowrider 2008 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002 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 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 is certified for 6. 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 217LS Bowrider 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002. 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002 and Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 36 gallons and 36 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002 and Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002 and the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 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 2002 vs Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008

Caravelle

Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002

2002

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Caravelle

Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 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 217LS Bowrider 2008 tops out at 300 hp. Engine specs for the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 36 gal and 36 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCaravelle

Model209 Bowrider

Model217LS Bowrider

Model Year2002

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8' 6"

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise18 degrees

Deadrise21℃

Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury 17" - Volvo 21"

Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury: 19 in. Volvo: 21 in

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [max] - DetailMercury 33" - Volvo 34"

Draft [max] - DetailMercury: 36 in. Volvo: 38 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches38

Weight - Detail2900 lbs

Weight - Detail3,400 lbs

Weight - kg1315.42

Weight - kg1542.21

Weight - lbs.29

Weight - lbs.34

Length overall - Detail20' 6"

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 5 in

Length overall - Meters6.1

Length overall - Meters6.53

Length overall - Inches24

Length overall - Inches257

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet21

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard320 Max

Engine/s standardVolvo 4.3GL - 190 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail36 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters136.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal36

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max300 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people10 persons

Maximum peoplenot available

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailOptional

Trailer - Detailnot available

Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002 or the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008?

For trailering, the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002 has the edge at 29 lbs dry weight versus 34 lbs for the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008. 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 217LS Bowrider 2008 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002 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 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 is certified for 6. 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 217LS Bowrider 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002. 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002 and Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 36 gallons and 36 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002 and Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 209 Bowrider 2002 and the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 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 2002 full specs ← Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 full specs