Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2005 vs Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2005 or the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009?

For trailering, the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 has the edge at 4 lbs dry weight versus 34 lbs for the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2005. 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 237LS Bowrider 2009 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2005 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 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 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 218 Deck Boat 2005 and Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 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 218 Deck Boat 2005 or the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009?

The Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 has the bigger tank at 53 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2005. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2005 and Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2005 and the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 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 2005 vs Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009

Caravelle

Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2005

2005

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Caravelle

Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2005 vs Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2005 vs Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 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 320 hp, the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 has a 288-hp advantage over the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2005'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 237LS Bowrider 2009 carries 53 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2005. 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 237LS Bowrider 2009 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2005 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 23,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2005 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

Model237LS Bowrider

Model Year2005

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise16 degrees

Deadrise20℃

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

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inches22

Draft [drive up] inches21

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

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches38

Weight - Detail3400 lbs

Weight - Detail4,000 lbs

Weight - kg1542.21

Weight - kg1814.37

Weight - lbs.34

Weight - lbs.4

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 - Detail23.42 ft

Length overall - Meters6.4

Length overall - Meters7.14

Length overall - Inches252

Length overall - Inches281.04

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet23.42

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail53 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters200.63

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel tank capacity - Gal53

Engine max32

Engine max320 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi - 270 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

Maximum people1

Maximum peoplenot available

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2005 vs Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2005 or the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009?

For trailering, the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 has the edge at 4 lbs dry weight versus 34 lbs for the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2005. 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 237LS Bowrider 2009 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2005 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 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 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 218 Deck Boat 2005 and Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 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 218 Deck Boat 2005 or the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009?

The Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 has the bigger tank at 53 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2005. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2005 and Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 218 Deck Boat 2005 and the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 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 2005 full specs ← Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 full specs