Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008?

For trailering, the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003 has the edge at 4 400 lbs dry weight versus 5 600 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 tops out at 250 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 7 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 130 gallons on the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003. That 65-gallon difference translates to roughly 195–325 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003 and Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008

Caravelle

Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003

2003

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Caravelle

Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 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 320 hp, the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003 has a 70-hp advantage over the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008's 250-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 130 gallons in the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003 caps at 7. 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003 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 Walk Around (Stern Drive)

Model280 Center Console

Model Year2003

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in.

Beam105 in.

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.67

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches105

Deadrise24 degrees

Deadrise24℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail26 in.

Draft [drive up] - Detail27 in.

Draft [drive up] meters0.66

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] inches26

Draft [drive up] inches27

Draft [max] - Detail39 in.

Draft [max] - Detail41 in.

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Meters1.04

Draft [max] - Inches39

Draft [max] - Inches41

Weight - Detail4400 lbs.

Weight - Detail5,600 lbs.

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - kg2540.12

Weight - lbs.4400

Weight - lbs.5600

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 3 in.

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in.

Length overall - Meters7.09

Length overall - Meters8.53

Length overall - Inches279

Length overall - Inches336

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet28

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail195 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1

Fuel tank capacity - Liters738.15

Fuel tank capacity - Gal130

Fuel tank capacity - Gal195

Engine max320

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

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008?

For trailering, the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003 has the edge at 4 400 lbs dry weight versus 5 600 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 tops out at 250 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 7 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 130 gallons on the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003. That 65-gallon difference translates to roughly 195–325 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003 and Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2003 full specs ← Caravelle 280 Center Console 2008 full specs