Caravelle 212 SS Bowrider 2006 boat specs
Caravelle
Caravelle 212 SS Bowrider 2006
2006
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VS
Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2008 boat specs
Caravelle
Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2008
2008
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Caravelle 212 SS Bowrider 2006 vs Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 212 SS Bowrider 2006 vs Caravelle 232 SS 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Caravelle 212 SS Bowrider 2006 at 21,0 ft versus Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2008 at 23,0 ft. At 33 lbs and 35 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 375 hp, the Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2008 has a 55-hp advantage over the Caravelle 212 SS Bowrider 2006's 320-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. 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 212 SS Bowrider 2006 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2008 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle 212 SS Bowrider 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 212 SS Bowrider 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 21,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2008 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
Model212 SS Bowrider
Model232 SS Bowrider
Model Year2006
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 0 in
Beam8 ft. 4 in
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches1
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury 17 in. - Volvo 22 in
Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury: 19 in. Volvo: 22 in
Draft [drive up] meters0.56
Draft [drive up] meters0.56
Draft [drive up] inches22
Draft [drive up] inches22
Draft [max] - DetailMercury 33 in. - Volvo 34 in
Draft [max] - DetailMercury: 35 in. Volvo: 36 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches34
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - Detail3,300 lbs
Weight - Detail3,500 lbs
Weight - kg1496.85
Weight - kg1587.57
Weight - lbs.33
Weight - lbs.35
Length - Feet21
Length - Feet23
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters6.4
Length overall - Meters7.01
Length overall - Inches252
Length overall - Inches276
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0GL
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0GXi - 270 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detail36 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail36 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters136.27
Fuel tank capacity - Liters136.27
Fuel tank capacity - Gal36
Fuel tank capacity - Gal36
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max320 hp
Engine max375 hp
Operational Info
Maximum people9
Maximum peoplenot available
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailTennessee tandem-axle w/ brakes
Trailer - DetailTennessee, tandem-axle with brakes
Trailer - Height6 ft. 1 in
Trailer - Height6 ft. 3 in
Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 6 in
Trailer - Length over all27 ft. 1 in. (Removable trailer tongue will shorten length by approximately 26 in.)
Trailer - Width8 ft. 3 in
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee

Caravelle 212 SS Bowrider 2006 vs Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Caravelle 212 SS Bowrider 2006 or the Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2008?
The Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2008 is the longer of the two at 23,0 feet overall. The Caravelle 212 SS Bowrider 2006 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 212 SS Bowrider 2006 or the Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2008?
For trailering, the Caravelle 212 SS Bowrider 2006 has the edge at 33 lbs dry weight versus 35 lbs for the Caravelle 232 SS 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.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2008 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 212 SS Bowrider 2006 tops out at 320 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 212 SS Bowrider 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2008 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 212 SS Bowrider 2006 measures 96" wide, compared to 1" for the Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2008. 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 212 SS Bowrider 2006 and Caravelle 232 SS 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 212 SS Bowrider 2006 and Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Caravelle 212 SS Bowrider 2006 and the Caravelle 232 SS 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.