Boat tests for the 187/196 Bow Rider

BOATTEST.com test on the Caravelle 187LS Bow Rider

The 187LS Bow Rider has been tested by BOATTEST.com. 

To see this online boat test click Here.

The Caravelle 187 had more big-boat features than any 18-footer we tested! 

Most notable are the companionway entry between swim platform to the full liner cockpit and complete no-wood composite construction.  To our knowledge, no other boat its size has all these great features.

            Our test boat had a Volvo 190 HP stern-drive under the hood.  Built on GM’s reliable Vortec V-6 (you probably have one in your car), we found the power a good match for the hull- great performance rewards for minimum fuel consumption.

            Top speed was 50 mph, darned good for any boat but really good for one priced like the Caravelle 187.  We took the boat into Sarasota Bay to test its handling in chop and current.  Tracking was true and the ride on this steamy day was very good.  For sharp turns with no blowout, trim the engine in and hang on.

            After some quick turns and throttle-jamming acceleration tests, we were eager to pick apart the view from the helm.  But we found little to criticize.  The windshield gives a good view below the top rim while seated.  We liked the stainless- steel supports, both for their good looks and for their strength and corrosion resistance.

            Upholstery in the Caravelle looked great, too.  The finish is rich and supple, stitching straight and sturdy, with no puckers to detract from the comfortable curves.

            The boat glistened in the South Florida sun as we stepped onto the dock to take the long view down the starboard side; the gelcoat finish was awesome.  Caravelle uses a three-step gelcoat process from Cook Composites:  Armor Flex prevents cracking.  A moisture barrier called Armor Guard protects from blistering, and Caravelle is so sure it’s solid they offer a pleasantly surprising one-year warranty against blistering.  To keep the finish looking bright for years, ArmorCote tops it off.  The system works, the manufacturer says.  We tend to agree based on their gelcoat warranty- often not provided at all on other boats.  Overall, it’s an exciting look for an exciting ride and we haven’t even discusses the available fish and ski model.

                     WE ALSO LIKE….1) Optional package includes bow filler cushions, tilt steering, depth finder, CD player, Bimini and snap-in carpet.  2) Optional extended swim platform give more water-sports utility.  3) Wood-free construction means no rot.  4) Coaming pads feature an upholstered armrest for the driver.  5) Spacious sun pad and aft bench are comfortable.  6) Liner cockpit drains to the bilge, keeping the deck clean and dry.

Performance

Air of Anticipation. 

by Randy Scott - Boating World Magazine

For boating enthusiasts, fall brings more than crispness to the air, for it is also accompanied by anticipation. Veteran boaters know that as fall rolls in, new boat models roll out. What will the new year bring in terms of new boats? Plenty!

With the debut of its all-new 187 Bowrider, Caravelle Powerboats aims to prove that not all 18-foot open bows are created equal. For starters it's wood-free. which means it's rot-free. It also comes with a smooth fiberglass liner and a convenient walk-through transom - features not often see on an 18-foot runabout. But there's more. More room to be exact. That's because the 187BR boasts an 8-foot beam. In fact, Caravelle claims the 187BR has as much room as many 19-footers.

To its credit, Caravelle used high-grade composites such as Armorguard, Armorflex, Armorcote and Knytex-knitted fiberglass, which add to the cost of manufacturing but increase value. Still, the 187BR's price tag is relatively affordable for a boat of this type. Base power is a 135-hp 3.0L 4-cylinder sterndrive (Mercury or Volvo Penta), which works well with Caravelle's performance XPV hull that features an extended running surface, pad keel and deep-V deadrise that can handle rough water.