Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 vs Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2002 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 or the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2002?

For trailering, the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2002 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 44 lbs for the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 has a documented max rating of 32 hp. Engine specifications for the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 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 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2002 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 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 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 or the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2002?

The Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 has the bigger tank at 13 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2002. That 5-gallon difference translates to roughly 15–25 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 260 Bowrider 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 and the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2002 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 260 Bowrider 2002

Caravelle

Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005

2005

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Caravelle

Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2002

2002

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 vs Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2002 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 vs Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2002 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 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 carries a rated maximum of 32 hp. Engine data for the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2002 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 carries 13 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2002. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 7 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 and Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2002 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.

General Boat Info

MakeCaravelle

Model230 Walk Around (Stern Drive)

Model260 Bowrider

Model Year2005

Model Year2002

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in

Beam8' 0"

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches96

Deadrise24 degrees

Draft [drive up] - Detail26 in

Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury 22" - Volvo 23"

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" -Volvo 39"

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail4400 lbs

Weight - Detail4300 lbs

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - kg1950.45

Weight - lbs.44

Weight - lbs.43

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 3 in

Length overall - Detail25' 7"

Length overall - Meters7.09

Length overall - Meters7.62

Length overall - Inches279

Length overall - Inches3

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal13

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Engine max32

Engine maxnot available

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard470 Max

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailOptional

Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 vs Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2002 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 or the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2002?

For trailering, the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2002 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 44 lbs for the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 has a documented max rating of 32 hp. Engine specifications for the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 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 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2002 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 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 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 or the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2002?

The Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 has the bigger tank at 13 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2002. That 5-gallon difference translates to roughly 15–25 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 260 Bowrider 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 230 Walk Around (Stern Drive) 2005 and the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2002 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 260 Bowrider 2002 full specs