Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 vs Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 or the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006?

For trailering, the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 45 lbs for the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006. 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 242LS Bowrider 2006 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 is certified for 1. 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 and Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 share an 102 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 or the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006?

The Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 has the bigger tank at 13 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 and Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 and the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 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) 2005 vs Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006

Caravelle

Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005

2005

View full specs →

Caravelle

Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 vs Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 vs Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 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 375 hp, the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 has a 343-hp advantage over the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 carries 13 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006. 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 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

Model230 Walk Around (Stern Drive)

Model242LS Bowrider

Model Year2005

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise24 degrees

Deadrise21℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail26 in

Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury 22 in. - Volvo 23 in

Draft [drive up] meters0.66

Draft [drive up] meters0.58

Draft [drive up] inches26

Draft [drive up] inches23

Draft [max] - Detail39 in

Draft [max] - DetailMercury 38 in. - Volvo 39 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail4400 lbs

Weight - Detail4,500 lbs

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - kg2041.16

Weight - lbs.44

Weight - lbs.45

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 3 in

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 7 in

Length overall - Meters7.09

Length overall - Meters7.19

Length overall - Inches279

Length overall - Inches283

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet23

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches7

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Gal13

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Engine max32

Engine max375 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7 Gi

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people1

Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 vs Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 or the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006?

For trailering, the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 45 lbs for the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006. 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 242LS Bowrider 2006 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 is certified for 1. 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 and Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 share an 102 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 or the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006?

The Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 has the bigger tank at 13 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 and Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 and the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 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) 2005 full specs ← Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 full specs