Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 or the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003?

For trailering, the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 has the edge at 34 lbs dry weight versus 365 lbs for the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003 tops out at 25 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 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 217LS Bowrider 2008 and Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003 share an 8 ft. 6 in 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 217LS Bowrider 2008 or the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003?

The Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 has the bigger tank at 36 gallons, versus 13 gallons on the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003. That 23-gallon difference translates to roughly 69–115 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 and Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 and the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 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 217LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003

Caravelle

Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008

2008

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Caravelle

Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003

2003

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 has a 275-hp advantage over the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003's 25-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 carries 36 gallons versus 13 gallons in the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003. 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 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003 is rated for 7 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 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 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

Model217LS Bowrider

Model230 Walk Around (Outboard)

Model Year2008

Model Year2003

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise24 degrees

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail20 in

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [drive up] inches2

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

Draft [max] - Detail34 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Inches38

Draft [max] - Inches34

Weight - Detail3,400 lbs

Weight - Detail3650 lbs

Weight - kg1542.21

Weight - kg1655.61

Weight - lbs.34

Weight - lbs.365

Length - Feet21

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches5

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 5 in

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 3 in

Length overall - Meters6.53

Length overall - Meters7.09

Length overall - Inches257

Length overall - Inches279

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 4.3GL - 190 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

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

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max300 hp

Engine max25

Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 or the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003?

For trailering, the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 has the edge at 34 lbs dry weight versus 365 lbs for the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003 tops out at 25 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 217LS Bowrider 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 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 217LS Bowrider 2008 and Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003 share an 8 ft. 6 in 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 217LS Bowrider 2008 or the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003?

The Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 has the bigger tank at 36 gallons, versus 13 gallons on the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003. 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 217LS Bowrider 2008 and Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 and the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 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 217LS Bowrider 2008 full specs ← Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Outboard) 2003 full specs