Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002 vs Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002 or the Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005?

For trailering, the Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 has the edge at 45 lbs dry weight versus 365 lbs for the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002. 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 Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 has a documented max rating of 5 hp. Engine specifications for the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002 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 230 Center Console 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 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 Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 measures 105" wide, compared to 102" for the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002. 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 230 Center Console 2002 or the Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005?

The Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 13 gallons on the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002. That 182-gallon difference translates to roughly 546–910 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002 and Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002 and the Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 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 230 Center Console 2002 vs Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005

Caravelle

Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002

2002

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Caravelle

Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002 vs Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002 vs Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 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 Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 tops out at 5 hp. Engine specs for the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 carries 195 gallons versus 13 gallons in the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002. 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 Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 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 230 Center Console 2002 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCaravelle

Model230 Center Console

ModelSea Hawk 280 Center Console

Model Year2002

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102"

Beam105 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.67

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches105

Deadrise24 degrees

Weight - Detail3650 lbs

Weight - Detail4500 lbs

Weight - kg1655.61

Weight - kg2041.16

Weight - lbs.365

Weight - lbs.45

Length overall - Detail23' 3"

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Meters7.01

Length overall - Meters8.53

Length overall - Inches276

Length overall - Inches336

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail27 in

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches27

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail41 in

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters1.04

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches41

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard250 Max

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail195 gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1

Fuel tank capacity - Liters738.15

Fuel tank capacity - Gal13

Fuel tank capacity - Gal195

Engine maxnot available

Engine max5

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailOptional

Trailer - Detailnot available

Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002 vs Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002 or the Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005?

For trailering, the Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 has the edge at 45 lbs dry weight versus 365 lbs for the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002. 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 Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 has a documented max rating of 5 hp. Engine specifications for the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002 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 230 Center Console 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 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 Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 measures 105" wide, compared to 102" for the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002. 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 230 Center Console 2002 or the Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005?

The Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 13 gallons on the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002. That 182-gallon difference translates to roughly 546–910 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002 and Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 230 Center Console 2002 and the Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 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 230 Center Console 2002 full specs ← Caravelle Sea Hawk 280 Center Console 2005 full specs