Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 vs Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 or the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003?

For trailering, the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 has the edge at 4 lbs dry weight versus 405 lbs for the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003. 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 242 Bowrider 2003 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 tops out at 320 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 237LS Bowrider 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 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 237LS Bowrider 2009 and Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 share an 8 ft. 6 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 237LS Bowrider 2009 or the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003?

The Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 has the bigger tank at 53 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003. That 47-gallon difference translates to roughly 141–235 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 and Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 and the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 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 237LS Bowrider 2009 vs Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003

Caravelle

Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009

2009

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Caravelle

Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003

2003

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 vs Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 vs Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 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 425 hp, the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 has a 105-hp advantage over the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009'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 2009 carries 53 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 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 237LS Bowrider 2009 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 23,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 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

Model237LS Bowrider

Model242 Bowrider

Model Year2009

Model Year2003

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise21 degrees

Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury: 19 in. Volvo: 21 in

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] meters0.58

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [drive up] inches23

Draft [max] - DetailMercury: 36 in. Volvo: 38 in

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches38

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail4,000 lbs

Weight - Detail4050 lbs

Weight - kg1814.37

Weight - kg1837.05

Weight - lbs.4

Weight - lbs.405

Length - Feet23.42

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail23.42 ft

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 7 in

Length overall - Meters7.14

Length overall - Meters7.19

Length overall - Inches281.04

Length overall - Inches283

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi - 270 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail53 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters200.63

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Gal53

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max320 hp

Engine max425

Operational Info

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people1

Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 vs Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 or the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003?

For trailering, the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 has the edge at 4 lbs dry weight versus 405 lbs for the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003. 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 242 Bowrider 2003 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 tops out at 320 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 237LS Bowrider 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 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 237LS Bowrider 2009 and Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 share an 8 ft. 6 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 237LS Bowrider 2009 or the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003?

The Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 has the bigger tank at 53 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003. That 47-gallon difference translates to roughly 141–235 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 and Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 237LS Bowrider 2009 and the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 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 237LS Bowrider 2009 full specs ← Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2003 full specs