Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 or the Caravelle Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003?

For trailering, the Caravelle Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003 has the edge at 14 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: 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 Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003 tops out at 13 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 Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003 is certified for 5. 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 87" for the Caravelle Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003. 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 Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003?

The Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 has the bigger tank at 36 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Caravelle Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003. That 31-gallon difference translates to roughly 93–155 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 and Caravelle Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 and the Caravelle Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 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 Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003

Caravelle

Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008

2008

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Caravelle

Caravelle Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003

2003

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 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 287-hp advantage over the Caravelle Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003's 13-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 5 gallons in the Caravelle Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 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 217LS Bowrider 2008 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Caravelle Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 21,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Caravelle Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCaravelle

Model217LS Bowrider

ModelSea Hawk 180 Center Console

Model Year2008

Model Year2003

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam87 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.21

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches87

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise14 degrees

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail12 in

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] meters0.3

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [drive up] inches12

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

Draft [max] - Detail26 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Meters0.66

Draft [max] - Inches38

Draft [max] - Inches26

Weight - Detail3,400 lbs

Weight - Detail1400 lbs

Weight - kg1542.21

Weight - kg635.03

Weight - lbs.34

Weight - lbs.14

Length - Feet21

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches5

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 5 in

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Meters6.53

Length overall - Meters5.33

Length overall - Inches257

Length overall - Inches21

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 - Detail50 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters136.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal36

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max300 hp

Engine max13

Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 or the Caravelle Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003?

For trailering, the Caravelle Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003 has the edge at 14 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.

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 Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003 tops out at 13 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 Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003 is certified for 5. 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 87" for the Caravelle Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003. 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 Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003?

The Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 has the bigger tank at 36 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Caravelle Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003. That 31-gallon difference translates to roughly 93–155 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 and Caravelle Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2008 and the Caravelle Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 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 Sea Hawk 180 Center Console 2003 full specs