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

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

For trailering, the Caravelle 260 Interceptor Sport 2002 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 45 lbs for the Caravelle 280 Center Console 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 260 Interceptor Sport 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 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 2001 measures 105" wide, compared to 96" for the Caravelle 260 Interceptor Sport 2002. 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 Interceptor Sport 2002 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Caravelle 260 Interceptor Sport 2002. 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 Interceptor Sport 2002 and Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 260 Interceptor Sport 2002 and the Caravelle 280 Center Console 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 260 Interceptor Sport 2002 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001

Caravelle

Caravelle 260 Interceptor Sport 2002

2002

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Caravelle

Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001

2001

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

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

The Caravelle 260 Interceptor Sport 2002 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 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 280 Center Console 2001 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Caravelle 260 Interceptor Sport 2002 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 2001 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 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 Interceptor Sport 2002 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 Interceptor Sport

Model280 Center Console

Model Year2002

Model Year2001

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8' 0"

Beam105"

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.67

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches105

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" - 39"

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches39

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

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

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard470 Max

Engine/s standard250 Max. single, 500 Max twin

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

Operational Info

Water capacity9 gal

Water capacitynot available

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailOptional

Caravelle 260 Interceptor Sport 2002 vs Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 — Common Questions

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

For trailering, the Caravelle 260 Interceptor Sport 2002 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 45 lbs for the Caravelle 280 Center Console 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 260 Interceptor Sport 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 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 2001 measures 105" wide, compared to 96" for the Caravelle 260 Interceptor Sport 2002. 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 Interceptor Sport 2002 or the Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001?

The Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Caravelle 260 Interceptor Sport 2002. 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 Interceptor Sport 2002 and Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Caravelle 260 Interceptor Sport 2002 and the Caravelle 280 Center Console 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 260 Interceptor Sport 2002 full specs ← Caravelle 280 Center Console 2001 full specs