Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002?

For trailering, the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 45 lbs for the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002. 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 280 Center Console 2002 has a documented max rating of 500 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 260 Bowrider 2001 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 is certified for 8. 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 280 Center Console 2002 measures 105" 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001. That 187-gallon difference translates to roughly 561–935 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 and Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 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 260 Bowrider 2001 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002

Caravelle

Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001

2001

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Caravelle

Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002

2002

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 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 Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 tops out at 500 hp. Engine specs for the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 carries 195 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001. 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 280 Center Console 2002 is rated for 8 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 280 Center Console 2002 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 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

Model260 Bowrider

Model280 Center Console

Model Year2001

Model Year2002

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8' 0"

Beam105"

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.67

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches105

Deadrise24 degrees

Weight - Detail4300 lbs

Weight - Detail4500 lbs

Weight - kg1950.45

Weight - kg2041.16

Weight - lbs.43

Weight - lbs.45

Length overall - Detail25' 7"

Length overall - Detail28' 0"

Length overall - Meters7.62

Length overall - Meters8.53

Length overall - Inches3

Length overall - Inches336

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail27"

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches27

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail24"

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.61

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches24

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard470 Max

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail195 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Liters738.15

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel tank capacity - Gal195

Engine maxnot available

Engine max500 hp Max

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailOptional

Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002?

For trailering, the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 45 lbs for the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002. 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 280 Center Console 2002 has a documented max rating of 500 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 260 Bowrider 2001 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 is certified for 8. 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 280 Center Console 2002 measures 105" 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001. That 187-gallon difference translates to roughly 561–935 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 and Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 260 Bowrider 2001 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 260 Bowrider 2001 full specs ← Caravelle 280 Center Console 2002 full specs