|
BIG LITTLE GUY –
THE CARAVELLE 187 LS IS A BEAMY 18-FOOTER WITH
IMPRESSIVE ROOMINESS AND PERFORMANCE
By
GO BOATING TEST TEAM
Caravelle’s newest small sport boat really isn’t all that
small. Most 18-foot boats have a beam that ranges from 7 feet to 7 feet,
6 inches. Caravelle’s 187 LS, however, has an 8-foot beam, which is
something you don’t even find on too many 19-foot boats.
While this
extra width isn’t enough to complicate garage storage; it does make a
difference in interior space, which is always a concern with smaller
craft. Caravelle likes to say that the 187 is “small on the outside and
big on the inside,” and we agree.
The 187 costs
a little more than some of the other, entry-level 18-footers out there,
but the cost is still in the affordable range for the first-time buyer or
the experienced boater on a budget who wants a brand-new craft. Keep in
mind that Caravelle doesn’t use any wood in its construction, which drives
up the cost in composite materials, and actually puts Caravelle at the
high end of the entry-level market.
Still, the
base price of the 187 with our test power, a 190hp 4.3 GL Volvo Penta SX,
is only $21,843.00. Throw in another thousand or two for dealer prep fees,
shipping and an option or two, and you’re still looking at a brand-new
sportboat for less than $25000, and in this case you have the plus of more
room to move inside the boat.
INSIDE
Thanks to the
extra beam, the 187 is able to keep the sun pad large and still have room
for a starboard walk-through transom that provides access to the
integrated swim step (an extended swim platform is a popular option and is
recommended if you’re going to do a lot of water sports activities).
There’s also an optional seat cushion and padded backrest that slides into
the walk-through slot to create a true full-beam rear bench.
Access to the
swim step from the water is simplified with a telescopic three-step
stainless steel swim ladder with a grab handle-the ladder folds under a
hinged hatch to keep it out of the way when not in use. Caravelle
engineers built an integrated cooler into the deck of the walk-through
transom, which provides convenient access from the swim step or the
cockpit and helps keep the deck clutter free because you don’t have to
bring a portable cooler.
The cockpit
is where you’ll really notice the bigness of the 187. The space between
the bucket helm seats is cavernous compared to many other 18-footers, and
the butt room on the rear bench is made even better. In between the seats
you’ll find a voluminous ski locker with plenty of room for all your toys
and then some – and the extended rubber pad will protect your toys as the
inside of the locker.
The helm
seats themselves are built using leaf springs to keep the ride cushy even
in rough conditions. Both seats also swivel and have bolsters to improve
the view.
The glove box
in the port helm has a surprising amount of room – more than enough space
to store a few changes of dry clothes. To starboard you’ll find a sporty
driver’s helm with tilt steering, Faria gauges, rocker switches, a trim
indicator, a 12V receptacle and an AM/FM CD player (there are four
speakers in the boat) – all standard equipment.
The
walk-through windshield opens to provide access to the bow, which has
wrap-around seating and stainless steel grab handles (all the hardware on
the 187 is stainless steel). Under the port bench seat, which swings open
on a hinge, you’ll find another integrated insulated cooler, which will
keep your bow passengers refreshed without having to pester the cockpit
crew. Under the center and starboard seats you’ll find dry storage – the
perfect place to keep extra PFDs.
PERFORMANCE
Our
test was performed on a surprisingly calm day out on Castaic Lake, which
is about 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The lake’s elevation is 1,055
feet, so we didn’t expect to experience much in the way of power loss due
to altitude. Our test engine was a carbureted 190hp 4.3GL Volvo Penta SX
spinning a 14.5 X 23-inch aluminum three blade wheel. In addition to a
tester we had two passengers, light gear and a half tank of fuel (about 15
gallons) – all in all, a light load, but not terribly light.
Our time to
plane was 5 seconds with a moderate amount of bow rise. We posted a 0 to
30 mph time of 9 seconds and a top speed of 49.3 mph at 4,800 rpm. Other
tests we’ve seen published (with the same power and prop) point to a time
to plane of 3 to 4 seconds and 7 to 8 seconds 0 to 30 mph time, but those
tests were conducted with lighter loads. The maximum operating range for
the 4.3GL is 4600 to 4800 rpm, so it appears the 23-inch-pitch prop is
where it needs to be.
We set the
speed at 40 mph and gave the wheel a series of aggressive turns – the
craft responded admirably with only a slight amount rpm loss. In the
tighter turns, we could scrub off a little more, but we couldn’t get the
prop to blow out no matter how hard we jammed the steering wheel over.
We dialed in
a comfortable cruising speed of 31.3 mph at 3,000 rpm, which gave us a
fuel consumption rate of 4.54mpg and a range of about 130 miles on a tank
of gas. Those who opt to take it to the limit with a 225hp motor will
lose a few miles in range, but there speed and acceleration numbers will
certainly improve a point or two.
OVERALL
We’re glad to see Caravelle stepping it up for
entry-level buyers with a new 18-footer that has more room inside. It’s
going to cost a little more than some of the narrower entry-level packages
from other manufacturers, but the added room and Caravelle’s reputation
for boats that satisfy justify the expense.
In fact, one
interesting thing the dealer who provided our test boat mentioned was how
he had carried a number of boats from other manufacturers before finally
settling on Caravelle. He said he received fewer complaints from
customers and didn’t have as many service issues with the Caravelles.
That’s good info for those who are looking to buy their first boat.
Caravelle has
also taken advantage of available space in the 187 with the two integrated
insulated coolers and the walk through transom, which might not look like
much on the showroom floor, but they make a big difference out on the
water. A few of the options we would recommend include the extended swim
platform, the bimini top and the snap-in-carpet, which will vastly improve
comfort and water sports enjoyment
In fact, this
is the kind of craft countless people have learned to wakeboard and ski
behind. If you’re in the market for a brand-new 18-footer, the 187 is a
worthy consideration. |
