CARAVELLE 176 BOWRIDER

            Every boater starts somewhere.  Maybe with just a little boat that will fit in the garage, hitch up to the family Jeep, yank the kids up on a tube and give the neighbors a sunset cruise.

            An entry-level boat can do two things to a boater.  If it’s the wrong boat, it turns boaters off to the lifestyle forever.  Caravelle won’t risk that and so, when designing its 176 bowrider, the engineers built in features that would keep boaters content while discovering the best launch ramps and hottest boating destinations.  Master these with a handy, maneuverable boat like the 176 bowrider and the customer will come back for a bigger commitment in a couple of years.

            So, when we looked at Caravelle’s  “Welcome aboard, Newbie!” boat, we wanted to see a reliable stern-drive engine.  Check.  We wanted to see a few big boat features like stainless-steel cleats, a sturdy boarding ladder and full helm instrumentation.  Check, check and check.

            We also wanted to see a fiberglass stringer system that adds strength and erases moisture problems associated with low-quality layups.  Check.  New boat owners can become disillusioned with rotting seat bases and mildewed upholstery.  That’s why we were impressed with the quality of anti-bacterial materials in foam and vinyl, plus the rot-free seat bases fastened with stainless-steel staples.  We know the people at Caravelle, so we were confident even without the factory tour that everything they said was in the hull really was in it.  The gelcoat was well done, too, thanks to a three-step process that makes the exterior resistant to cracking blistering and fading.

            Then we drove the heck out of the boat in the choppy waters of Sarasota, Florida.  We didn’t expect a ride like a 23- footer, but we were impressed with the solid feel and crisp handling of the 176. We’ve seen 17- footers that go faster on a 3.O liter stern-drive, but that’s because they were lighter, not better.  If you want a first boat that will take you to the next level of the lifestyle, not the exit turnstile, then this is a good one to consider. 

                         We also like ….1) Stainless-steel cleats, through-bolted for durability and good looks. 2) Wood-free construction.  4) Premium materials that insure hull integrity and blister-free gelcoat.  3) Mildew-resistant carpet that keeps its good looks for years.  5) Top-grade upholstery that holds its shape and shine.  6)Ski locker to keep combo skis stowed, plus ropes and fenders. 7) Spacious sun pad and aft bench are comfortable and ready for guests.

PERFORMANCE

Boating World Magazine

Caravelle 176 Bow Rider

The thing I like about this boat is that almost everything is included as standard equipment.

The only options are the canvas options. When you get right down to it, the only tough call on the Caravelle 176 Bow Rider is which engine package to choose - the 130-hp Mercury 3.0L or the 135-hp Volvo Penta 3.0GS - and that's really just a matter of personal preference. More accurately, it should be a matter of which engine your dealer/mechanic has more experience working on, so even this becomes a pretty easy call.

Boating Magazine

Caravelle 176: More honey for your money.

In the ultra-competitive 18'-and-under runabout market, most low-price models are stripped down to the bare necessities. Not Caravelle's 176BR. For a manufacturer's suggested retail price of around $15,000, you get the same treatment you'd find on Caravelle's larger models, even though you're only shopping at the so-called entry level.

For example, the aft bench is molded in as part of the deck, and the boat is constructed with  composite materials, rather than wood - just like big brother's. The 176BR also has knitted fiberglass in its lay-up as opposed to woven roving.

You'll also get heavy-grade marine carpet on the sole of the main cockpit. The 176BR features Caravelle's XPV (extended running surface, pad bottom, deep-V) hull, a carryover from the larger Interceptor 212 and 188. This design continues the running surface all the way to the end of the swim platform, and features a flat triangular pad at the keel for quicker planing. It works. With a 135-hp Volvo Penta our test boat planed in only 4.7 seconds.

Caravelle touts the 176BR's generous interior space. There's room for even the burliest guest, or three, on the 5'8"-wide aft bench. That's the same amount of room as some 19' runabouts have, and one of the largest benches on any 17-footer I've seen. Even the engine compartment is huge. My 5' 8" frame climbed right into either of the side stowage areas. Up in the bow, however, things tighten up considerably; seat widths are only 1'6", so wider bodies will feel as though they're constantly falling off.

There's ample stowage underneath the aft bench, as well as under the bow seating. The in-sole ski locker is spacious, although the access hatch is too small; its a slender slalom or combo set. Wake boarders will have to throw their gear under the aft bench.

Yes, you get what you pay for. But with Caravelle's 176BR, you may be able to stretch that dollar and get a little more.