An Elegant Bowrider

By Capt. Robert E. Smith

The words elegance and bowriders don’t seem to go hand-in-hand, but Caravelle has joined the two on the 237LS Bowrider. The full color hull on our test model really made the LS stand out at the docks. The looks of the LS will have you inviting your boss, friends and family along for the ride because the 237 has something on board for everybody.

Starting at the Bow

The 237 has a convenient concealed beach boarding ladder so you and your friends can easily climb back on board after shelling on a beach. The ladder locker doubles as a large anchor locker for anchor and line and the docking cleats are pop-up. Seating up front is ultra-comfortable with recessed bow rails for safety and tons of seat bottom storage. Filler cushions convert the bow area into a private sun tanning space or without the filler cushion, two can stretch out in lounger style with cushions built into the dash fronts. Caravelle takes full advantage of otherwise wasted space by having the lounger backs flip out to reveal more storage in the helm and companion pods. Twin stainless drinkholders are recessed into the side panels in the bow along with speakers. Getting to the bow is easy with a wide walk-through in the center of the full framed wrap-around windshield.

Cockpit Features

In the center of the cockpit floor is a large in-floor locker with a rubber mat to protect your boards, skis, and other large items. Twin SofTech spring suspension bucket seats are in the helm and companion positions for comfort underway. A large slash pocket side storage keeps must-haves right at hand. The companion dash is outfitted with a stainless steel drinkholder, grab bar, and burlwood look accents on the glove box door. Just aft of the companion bucket seat is a Corian looking sink with pressure water service. The L-shaped bench seat wraps around from the sink to the walk-through transom. Another small bench seat takes advantage of space often ignored just aft the helm seat with a concealed trash bin located between the helm and this bench.

At the Wheel

The helm station is thoughtfully laid out with burlwood looking accents to add just the right amount of elegance. To the left of the padded tilt wheel are lighted rocker switches protected by push-button breakers. A 12 volt receptacle is also in the group for portable gear. The Kenwood stereo is mounted to the right of the wheel and has an iPOD/MP3 jack mounted in the sidewall panel. Faria gauges are mounted above the wheel complete with digital depth gauge.

Engine Access

The aft deck engine hatch doubles as a sunpad with a three position filler over the transom walk-through. The filler is either fully down for relaxing in the sun, tilted for a headrest, or completely up to allow easy passage to the full integrated swim platform.

Beneath the pad the engine fills the center with a large storage area to port to keep the life jackets warm and dry. A cockpit table stores vertically with the post in clips on the bottom of this storage area. In the walk-through to the transom is a handy carry-on cooler so you can bring along your favorite beverages and snacks or take them to the beach to enjoy while out.

Rather than the typical bolt-on swim platform you normally see, Caravelle has designed a large molded in platform. Our model also featured a handy transom remote control for the stereo and a swim shower to rinse off after a dip. More features include a concealed boarding ladder is under the starboard side and a wet locker/cooler is built into the port side of the platform.

Specifications

The 237LS is built on Caravelle’s XPV hull design for stability and comfort. This model is 23’5” in length overall with a beam width of 8’6”. Overall, she weighs about 4,000 lbs dry. She commands a draft of 19” with the outdrive up and 36” with the outdrive in the lowest position. She is rated for a maximum of 320-hp sterndrives and carries 53 gallons of fuel.

Performance

One thing I would have changed for this test was the weather. We dodged the cold, rain, and rough water due to strong winds. What I can attest to, though, is the 237LS is a dry ride and comfortable in heavy chop! Powered by a 300-hp MerCruiser 350 Mag MPI, this model was up on plane in 3.3 seconds and up to 30 mph in 6.5 seconds. I found she cruised around 3500 rpm at 36.2 mph for a range of 163 miles and topped out at 52.8 mph turning 5100 rpm in rough conditions with two men and ½ tank of fuel.

Whether your style of boating is simply cruising the beaches, lakes and shores or enjoying the view from the end of the towline, the 237LS has the performance and the amenities to ensure you have a great time on the water.

• Top speed for the Caravelle 237 LS Bowrider (2007- ) is 52.8 mph (85 kph), burning 22.2 gallons per hour (gph) or 84.03 liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the Caravelle 237 LS Bowrider (2007- ) is 36.2 mph (58.3 kph), and the boat gets 3.42 miles per gallon (mpg) or 1.45 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 163 miles (262.32 kilometers).


• Tested power is 1 x 300-hp MerCruiser 350 Mag MPI.