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Boating Life Magazine
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The latest in Caravelle's Interceptor line, the 192 SS, is a pocket go-fast boat that
fits perfectly with the company's trademarks: exceedingly quick
acceleration, racy features and awesome handling characteristics.
Given that they've wedged 260 horsepower into the engine bay (and still left
some big storage on either side of the engine) we expected this 19-footer to
fly, and we were amazed by how purposefully it does so. Our power turns
exhibited a surprising lack of lean; instead, the boat turned flat and
quick. Steering and handling were predictable and actually made the boat
feel slower than it was running on our GPS; one might say civility was well
exhibited, courtesy of the 192's XPV hull. The X is for eXtended running
surface, which several companies are utilizing to minimize bowrise and
quicken time to plane. It works. The P stands for Pad bottom, a flat section
aft that accounts for the small running surface at top speed — less water
drag means higher top speed. The V is for V-hull, so the boat can manage
when wind or traffic produces a little chop.
The 192, like its brethren, is made entirely of glass and composite; the
stringer system is glass and filled with high-density foam. Our test 192
featured a full fiberglass cockpit liner, so we found no raw fiberglass in
the storage compartments — which were large for a boat this size.
The adjustable bucket seats for the helm and nav side have flip-up bolsters
and, like all the seats, have a composite base covered with quality vinyl
and spring suspension cushions. We found the molded-in armrests to be placed
perfectly — we wish other builders would do the same when they design new
deck molds.
Our boat also had standard tilt steering, a Sony CD player and the optional
extended swim platform with telescoping three-step ladder. Caravelle
concentrates on smaller boats — the Interceptor line runs to 23 feet, while
their Sea Hawk fishing boats top out at 28 feet — and is a privately owned
and managed company. By aiming their runabout designs toward
performance-minded boaters, they continually create boats that hit the
target, like the 192.
Notable Features
• Through-hull exhaust is available
• Color-coordinated gauge bezels and Dino sport steering wheel are
standard
• Snap-in carpet is standard
• Has stainless-steel retractable cleats and rub rail insert
• Bimini top is made of washable and UV-resistant Sunbrella material
Test Drive
Test Engine: MerCruiser 5.0 L MPI
Test Prop: 23-pitch, aluminum
Test Load: People (200 lb.); Fuel (20 gal.)
Top Speed: 55.3 MPH @ 4,900 RPM
Time to Plane: 2.78 sec.
Time to 30 MPH: 7.3 sec.
Min. Plane: 18 MPH @ 2,100 RPM, 84 db
RPM/MPH/Sound Level
Idle 3.4 72 db
1,000 5.2 75 db
1,500 7.3 79 db
2,000 9.8 84 db
2,500 27.4 82 db
3,000 33.0 91 db
3,500 37.7 91 db
4,000 42.1 95 db
4,500 52.0 97 db
4,900 55.3 97 db |
