Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001?

For trailering, the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 has the edge at 34 lbs dry weight versus 45 lbs for the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001. 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 280 Center Console 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 217LS Bowrider 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 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 2001 measures 105" wide, compared to 102" for the Caravelle 217LS 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 36 gallons on the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008. That 159-gallon difference translates to roughly 477–795 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 and Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 and the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 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 280 Center Console 2001

Caravelle

Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008

2008

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Caravelle

Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001

2001

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 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 carries a rated maximum of 300 hp. Engine data for the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 carries 195 gallons versus 36 gallons in the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008. 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 2001 is rated for 8 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 280 Center Console 2001 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 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

Model280 Center Console

Model Year2008

Model Year2001

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam105"

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.67

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches105

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise24 degrees

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

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

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

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches38

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail3,400 lbs

Weight - Detail4500 lbs

Weight - kg1542.21

Weight - kg2041.16

Weight - lbs.34

Weight - lbs.45

Length - Feet21

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches5

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 5 in

Length overall - Detail28' 0"

Length overall - Meters6.53

Length overall - Meters8.53

Length overall - Inches257

Length overall - Inches336

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 4.3GL - 190 hp

Engine/s standard250 Max. single, 500 Max twin

Fuel tank capacity - Detail36 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail195 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters136.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters738.15

Fuel tank capacity - Gal36

Fuel tank capacity - Gal195

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max300 hp

Engine maxnot available

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailOptional

Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001?

For trailering, the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 has the edge at 34 lbs dry weight versus 45 lbs for the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001. 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 280 Center Console 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 217LS Bowrider 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 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 2001 measures 105" wide, compared to 102" for the Caravelle 217LS 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 36 gallons on the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008. That 159-gallon difference translates to roughly 477–795 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 and Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 and the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 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 280 Center Console 2001 full specs