Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 2001 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 2001 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006?

For trailering, the Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 2001 has the edge at 3 lbs dry weight versus 57 lbs for the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006. 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 280 Center Console 2006 has a documented max rating of 600 hp. Engine specifications for the Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 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 Cuddy Cabin 2001 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006 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 2006 measures 105" wide, compared to 96" for the Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 2001 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 2001. That 190-gallon difference translates to roughly 570–950 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 2001 and Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 2001 and the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006 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 Cuddy Cabin 2001 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006

Caravelle

Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 2001

2001

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Caravelle

Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006

2006

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 2001 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 2001 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006 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 280 Center Console 2006 tops out at 600 hp. Engine specs for the Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 2001 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006 carries 195 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 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 280 Center Console 2006 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 2001 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 28,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 2001 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 Cuddy Cabin

Model280 Center Console

Model Year2001

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8' 6"

Beam105 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.67

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches105

Deadrise18 degrees

Deadrise24℃

Weight - Detail3000 lbs

Weight - Detail5,700 lbs

Weight - kg1360.78

Weight - kg2585.47

Weight - lbs.3

Weight - lbs.57

Length overall - Detail20' 6"

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Meters6.1

Length overall - Meters8.53

Length overall - Inches24

Length overall - Inches336

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail27 in

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches27

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail41 in

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters1.04

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches41

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet28

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard300 Max

Engine/s standardYamaha Twin Z2

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail195 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters738.15

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel tank capacity - Gal195

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Engine maxnot available

Engine max600 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people7 persons

Maximum peoplenot available

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailOptional

Trailer - Detailnot available

Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 2001 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 2001 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006?

For trailering, the Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 2001 has the edge at 3 lbs dry weight versus 57 lbs for the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006. 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 280 Center Console 2006 has a documented max rating of 600 hp. Engine specifications for the Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 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 Cuddy Cabin 2001 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006 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 2006 measures 105" wide, compared to 96" for the Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 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 Cuddy Cabin 2001 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 2001. That 190-gallon difference translates to roughly 570–950 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 2001 and Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 209 Cuddy Cabin 2001 and the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006 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 Cuddy Cabin 2001 full specs ← Caravelle 280 Center Console 2006 full specs