Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008?

For trailering, the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003 has the edge at 34 lbs dry weight versus 56 lbs for the Caravelle 280 Center Console 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 280 Center Console 2008 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003 tops out at 32 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 218 Deck Boat 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 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 2008 measures 105" wide, compared to 102" for the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 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 218 Deck Boat 2003 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003. That 190-gallon difference translates to roughly 570–950 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003 and Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003 and the Caravelle 280 Center Console 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.

Boat Comparison

Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008

Caravelle

Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003

2003

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Caravelle

Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 250 hp, the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 has a 218-hp advantage over the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003's 32-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 280 Center Console 2008 carries 195 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 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 280 Center Console 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 28,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCaravelle

Model218 Deck Boat

Model280 Center Console

Model Year2003

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam105 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.67

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches105

Deadrise16 degrees

Deadrise24℃

Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury 17 in. - Volvo 22 in

Draft [drive up] - Detail27 in

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] inches22

Draft [drive up] inches27

Draft [max] - DetailMercury 33 in. - Volvo 34 in

Draft [max] - Detail41 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters1.04

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches41

Weight - Detail3400 lbs

Weight - Detail5,600 lbs

Weight - kg1542.21

Weight - kg2540.12

Weight - lbs.34

Weight - lbs.56

Height - Detail6 ft. 10 in. with Tennessee tandem axle trailer

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters2.08

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches82

Height - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Meters6.4

Length overall - Meters8.53

Length overall - Inches252

Length overall - Inches336

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet28

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail195 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters738.15

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel tank capacity - Gal195

Engine max32

Engine maxTwin 250 hp (500 hp)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardYamaha Twin Z200TX - 400 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum people1

Maximum peoplenot available

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008?

For trailering, the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003 has the edge at 34 lbs dry weight versus 56 lbs for the Caravelle 280 Center Console 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 280 Center Console 2008 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003 tops out at 32 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 218 Deck Boat 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 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 2008 measures 105" wide, compared to 102" for the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 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 218 Deck Boat 2003 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003. That 190-gallon difference translates to roughly 570–950 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003 and Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003 and the Caravelle 280 Center Console 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.

← Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2003 full specs ← Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 full specs