Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002 or the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001?

For trailering, the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002 has the edge at 4 000 lbs dry weight versus 4 300 lbs for the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001. 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002 and Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 share an 8' 6" 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 242 Bowrider 2002 or the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001?

The Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 has the bigger tank at 80 gallons, versus 60 gallons on the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002 and Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002 and the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 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 242 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001

Caravelle

Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002

2002

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Caravelle

Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001

2001

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 10 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 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

Model242 Bowrider

Model260 Bowrider

Model Year2002

Model Year2001

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8' 6"

Beam8' 0"

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches96

Deadrise21 degrees

Deadrise24 degrees

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

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.58

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches23

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - DetailMercury 38" - Volvo 39"

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches39

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail4000 lbs

Weight - Detail4300 lbs

Weight - kg1814.37

Weight - kg1950.45

Weight - lbs.4000

Weight - lbs.4300

Length overall - Detail23' 7"

Length overall - Detail25' 7"

Length overall - Meters7.01

Length overall - Meters7.62

Length overall - Inches276

Length overall - Inches300

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard425 Max.

Engine/s standard470 Max.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal60

Fuel tank capacity - Gal80

Operational Info

Maximum people10

Maximum peoplenot available

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailOptional

Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002 vs Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002 or the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001?

For trailering, the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002 has the edge at 4 000 lbs dry weight versus 4 300 lbs for the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001. 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002 and Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 share an 8' 6" 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 242 Bowrider 2002 or the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001?

The Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 has the bigger tank at 80 gallons, versus 60 gallons on the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002 and Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Caravelle 242 Bowrider 2002 and the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 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 242 Bowrider 2002 full specs ← Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 full specs