Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 vs Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 or the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001?

For trailering, the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 has the edge at 43 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 has a documented max rating of 375 hp. Engine specifications for the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 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 242LS Bowrider 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 1 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001. 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 and Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 6 gallons and 8 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 and Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 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 242LS Bowrider 2006 vs Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001

Caravelle

Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006

2006

View full specs →

Caravelle

Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001

2001

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 vs Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 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.

The Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 carries a rated maximum of 375 hp. Engine data for the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 6 gal and 8 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 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 260 Bowrider 2001 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 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

Model242LS Bowrider

Model260 Bowrider

Model Year2006

Model Year2001

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam8' 0"

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches96

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise24 degrees

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

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 in. - Volvo 39 in

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches39

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail4,500 lbs

Weight - Detail4300 lbs

Weight - kg2041.16

Weight - kg1950.45

Weight - lbs.45

Weight - lbs.43

Length - Feet23

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches7

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 7 in

Length overall - Detail25' 7"

Length overall - Meters7.19

Length overall - Meters7.62

Length overall - Inches283

Length overall - Inches3

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7 Gi

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 - Gal6

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max375 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Maximum people1

Maximum peoplenot available

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailOptional

Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 vs Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 or the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001?

For trailering, the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 has the edge at 43 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 has a documented max rating of 375 hp. Engine specifications for the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 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 242LS Bowrider 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 1 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001. 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 and Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 6 gallons and 8 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 and Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2006 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 242LS Bowrider 2006 full specs ← Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 full specs