Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002?

For trailering, the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 has the edge at 45 lbs dry weight versus 45 lbs for the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008. 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 280 Center Console 2002 is rated to a maximum of 500 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 tops out at 375 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 passengers can the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 carry?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 has an official capacity rating of 8 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 measures 105" wide, compared to 102" for the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008. 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 242LS Bowrider 2008 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008. That 189-gallon difference translates to roughly 567–945 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 and Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 and the Caravelle 280 Center Console 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 242LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002

Caravelle

Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008

2008

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Caravelle

Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002

2002

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 500 hp, the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 has a 125-hp advantage over the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008's 375-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 280 Center Console 2002 carries 195 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 and its 500-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 with its 375-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeCaravelle

Model242LS Bowrider

Model280 Center Console

Model Year2008

Model Year2002

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam105"

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.67

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches105

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise24 degrees

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail27"

Draft [drive up] meters0.58

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] inches23

Draft [drive up] inches27

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

Draft [max] - Detail24"

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Meters0.61

Draft [max] - Inches39

Draft [max] - Inches24

Weight - Detail4,500 lbs

Weight - Detail4500 lbs

Weight - kg2041.16

Weight - lbs.45

Length - Feet25

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches11

Length - Inchesnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]25 ft. 11 in

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail28' 0"

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters8.53

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches336

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7Gi - 300 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail195 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Liters738.15

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Fuel tank capacity - Gal195

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max375 hp

Engine max500 hp Max

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailOptional

Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002?

For trailering, the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 has the edge at 45 lbs dry weight versus 45 lbs for the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008. 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 280 Center Console 2002 is rated to a maximum of 500 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 tops out at 375 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 passengers can the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 carry?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 has an official capacity rating of 8 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 measures 105" wide, compared to 102" for the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008. 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 242LS Bowrider 2008 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008. That 189-gallon difference translates to roughly 567–945 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 and Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 242LS Bowrider 2008 and the Caravelle 280 Center Console 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 242LS Bowrider 2008 full specs ← Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 full specs