Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2009 vs Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2009 vs Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2007 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 217LS Bowrider 2009 at 21,4 ft versus Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2007 at 23,0 ft. At 34 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 LS Bowrider 2007 has a 75-hp advantage over the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2009's 300-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 232 LS Bowrider 2007 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2009 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 232 LS Bowrider 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Caravelle 217LS Bowrider 2009 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
MakeCaravelle
Model217LS Bowrider
Model232 LS Bowrider
Model Year2009
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam8 ft. 4 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches1
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury: 19 in. Volvo: 21 in
Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury: 19 in. Volvo: 22 in
Draft [drive up] meters0.53
Draft [drive up] meters0.56
Draft [drive up] inches21
Draft [drive up] inches22
Draft [max] - DetailMercury: 36 in. Volvo: 38 in
Draft [max] - DetailMercury: 35 in. Volvo: 36 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches38
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - Detail3,400 lbs
Weight - Detail3,500 lbs
Weight - kg1542.21
Weight - kg1587.57
Weight - lbs.34
Weight - lbs.35
Length - Feet21.42
Length - Feet23
Length overall - Detail21.42 ft
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters6.53
Length overall - Meters7.01
Length overall - Inches257.04
Length overall - Inches276
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo 4.3GL - 190 hp
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi - 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
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max300 hp
Engine max375 hp
Trailer Info
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailTennessee tandem-axle with brakes
Trailer - Heightnot available
Trailer - Height6 ft. 3 in
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all27 ft. 1 in. (Removable trailer tongue will shorten length by approximately 26 in.)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in