Caravelle 280 CF Center Console 2007 vs Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Caravelle 280 CF Center Console 2007 or the Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005?

For trailering, the Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005 has the edge at 3 000 lbs dry weight versus 5 700 lbs for the Caravelle 280 CF Center Console 2007. 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 Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 280 CF Center Console 2007 tops out at 250 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 people can each boat hold?

The Caravelle 280 CF Center Console 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005 is certified for 10. 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 CF Center Console 2007 measures 105" wide, compared to 100" for the Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005. 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 280 CF Center Console 2007 or the Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005?

The Caravelle 280 CF Center Console 2007 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 36 gallons on the Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005. That 159-gallon difference translates to roughly 477–795 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Caravelle 280 CF Center Console 2007 and Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Caravelle 280 CF Center Console 2007 and the Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005 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 280 CF Center Console 2007 vs Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005

Caravelle

Caravelle 280 CF Center Console 2007

2007

View full specs →

Caravelle

Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Caravelle 280 CF Center Console 2007 vs Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Caravelle 280 CF Center Console 2007 vs Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005 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 320 hp, the Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005 has a 70-hp advantage over the Caravelle 280 CF Center Console 2007's 250-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 CF Center Console 2007 carries 195 gallons versus 36 gallons in the Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005. 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 Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Caravelle 280 CF Center Console 2007 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005 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 280 CF Center Console 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCaravelle

Model280 CF Center Console

ModelInterceptor 232 Bowrider

Model Year2007

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam105 in.

Beam8 ft. 4 in.

Beam - Meters2.67

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Inches105

Beam - Inches100

Deadrise24℃

Deadrise20 degrees

Draft [drive up] - Detail27 in.

Draft [drive up] - DetailMercury 19 in. - Volvo 22 in.

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] inches27

Draft [drive up] inches22

Draft [max] - Detail41 in.

Draft [max] - DetailMercury 35 in. - Volvo 36 in.

Draft [max] - Meters1.04

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches41

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail5,700 lbs.

Weight - Detail3000 lbs.

Weight - kg2585.47

Weight - kg1360.78

Weight - lbs.5700

Weight - lbs.3000

Length - Feet28

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in.

Length overall - Detail23 ft.

Length overall - Meters8.53

Length overall - Meters7.01

Length overall - Inches336

Length overall - Inches276

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail6 ft. 3 in with Tennessee tandem axle trailer (with brakes)

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.83

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches72

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardYamaha Twin Z200TX - 400 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail195 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail36 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters738.15

Fuel tank capacity - Liters136.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal195

Fuel tank capacity - Gal36

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine maxTwin 250 hp (500 hp)

Engine max320

Operational Info

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people10 persons

Caravelle 280 CF Center Console 2007 vs Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Caravelle 280 CF Center Console 2007 or the Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005?

For trailering, the Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005 has the edge at 3 000 lbs dry weight versus 5 700 lbs for the Caravelle 280 CF Center Console 2007. 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 Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Caravelle 280 CF Center Console 2007 tops out at 250 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 people can each boat hold?

The Caravelle 280 CF Center Console 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005 is certified for 10. 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 CF Center Console 2007 measures 105" wide, compared to 100" for the Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005. 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 280 CF Center Console 2007 or the Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005?

The Caravelle 280 CF Center Console 2007 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 36 gallons on the Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005. That 159-gallon difference translates to roughly 477–795 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Caravelle 280 CF Center Console 2007 and Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Caravelle 280 CF Center Console 2007 and the Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005 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 280 CF Center Console 2007 full specs ← Caravelle Interceptor 232 Bowrider 2005 full specs