Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2009 vs Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2009 is a deep-V design and the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2008 is a modified-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2009 at 23,0 ft versus Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2008 at 23,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2008 tips the scales at 4 000 lbs - 500 lbs less than the Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2009 at 3 500 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 375 hp, the Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2009 has a 55-hp advantage over the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2008's 320-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 2008 carries 53 gallons versus 36 gallons in the Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2009. 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 232 SS Bowrider 2009 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2008 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 232 SS Bowrider 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 8 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2008 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
MakeCaravelle
Model232 SS Bowrider
Model237LS Bowrider
Model Year2009
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 4 in.
Beam8 ft. 6 in.
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches100
Beam - Inches102
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury: 19 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: 35 in. Volvo: 36 in.
Draft [max] - DetailMercury: 36 in. Volvo: 38 in.
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches38
Weight - Detail3,500 lbs.
Weight - Detail4,000 lbs.
Weight - kg1587.57
Weight - kg1814.37
Weight - lbs.3500
Weight - lbs.4000
Length - Feet23
Length - Feet23
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 0 in.
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 5 in.
Length overall - Meters7.01
Length overall - Meters7.14
Length overall - Inches276
Length overall - Inches281
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches5
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0GXi - 270 hp
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi - 270 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detail36 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Detail53 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Liters136.27
Fuel tank capacity - Liters200.63
Fuel tank capacity - Gal36
Fuel tank capacity - Gal53
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max375 hp
Engine max320 hp
Operational Info
Maximum people8
Maximum peoplenot available
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailTennessee, tandem-axle with brakes
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - Height6 ft. 3 in.
Trailer - Heightnot available
Trailer - Length over all27 ft. 1 in. (Removable trailer tongue will shorten length by approximately 26 in.)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in.
Trailer - Widthnot available