Caravelle Interceptor or Yamaha SX

[redcamel]

I have found two boat locally, actually friends of friends. I'm considering buying one of the two. We are a family of 3 (wife & daughter' she's 11) So I'm think average load is 5 and maybe 8 on a holiday weekend. This is my first runabout (driven many)' owned others.

2007 Yamaha SX230
2005 Caravelle Interceptor 232

Hours and price are pretty close. Should I consider one, both owner bases really love both. Yamaha being jet would be new to me, but the huge open deck and swim platform is appealing. The caravelle has some impressive power, speed and sounds wicked. The caravelle also has a swim platform, much smaller but usable. Planned uses lake and a rare dip in the ohio river.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Caravelle Interceptor or Yamaha SX

If utility and price are equal, then condition, costs to operate and costs of maintenance are the deciding factors, right? Do both boats meet your needs for load and creature comforts? Post some pics if you can.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Caravelle Interceptor or Yamaha SX

2005 Caravelle Interceptor 232

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... What motor, 'n drive on this 1,..??

 

[redcamel]

Re: Caravelle Interceptor or Yamaha SX

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... What motor, 'n drive on this 1,..??

5.7 Merc Cruiser / Alpha out / Cap Calls / 150 Hrs

 

[redcamel]

Re: Caravelle Interceptor or Yamaha SX

Both boats are in great shape. I don't have any photos to post at this point. I hear mainatance of the twin yamaha are a breeze. I drove the Caravelle last summer and it's got crazy power and speed. I've seen a similar yamaha in action also, I really like the cabin layout. Tough choice.

 

[Tregs]

Re: Caravelle Interceptor or Yamaha SX

I really like the rear deck on the new yamahas.

 

[redcamel]

Re: Caravelle Interceptor or Yamaha SX

Let’s discuss $ the asking is ~25K for both. Of course everything is negotiable. Checking NADA value the Yamaha AVG is ~23K. The NADA on the Caravelle is ~16K. Although I see Caravelles with a similar asking price all over the net, why the big difference with NADA guides? Seeming like the yamaha maybe an overall better value?

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Caravelle Interceptor or Yamaha SX

Maybe wave the NADA value at the Caravelle owner, use it a club to knock down the price. That is if you want it. You have to get the boat you want.
And get the Yamaha out for a ride too. Some boats ride better than others. Ride also depends on water conditions so try to copy water conditions of where you will normally be running.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Caravelle Interceptor or Yamaha SX

One more piece of advise. Do some searching around of the Yamaha forumns and make sure that the one you are looking at doesn't have any common problems that you can't live with. Maybe they have gotten better, but my buddy has had no end of problems with the power train and electronics in his SX210

 

[TorchedGT]

Re: Caravelle Interceptor or Yamaha SX

I was recently considering this EXACT purchase between these two boats - when did Caravelle switch over to the low profile tinted windshield? I think the 2005 still has the higher profile windshield - still very sporty boats though, and their swim platform is one of the best.

It's a simple compromise, the Caravelle will snap necks wherever you go - it has serious "curb appeal" while the yamaha is more of a utility vehicle that everyone has (think ford explorer versus porsche cayenne) their purposes are similar, but the execution in design is very different.

My old yammie went everywhere and did everything I asked of her, and was a great boat. You can't go wrong with 16" of draft, and if you're thinking of having youngens' around the boat, the yammie offers an entirely different level of safety versus a prop/outdrive. Plus you've got the twin engine redundancy.

On the other hand, I'd still buy the interceptor. I sold my Yammie and got a Donzi instead (couldn't pass the deal up, but it's a similar "type" of boat to the Interceptor) - like I said, it's always a compromise, but there's a lot to be said about having an exotic boat when you pull up to the ramp and everyone's dumping in clones. I think you'll have a better experience with the Interceptor, and enjoy the extra performance (though I should mention that from what I've seen, these boats weren't the fastest for their engine options - I've seen 502s that ran low-mid 60s, so you'll probably be 3-5mph faster than that SX realistically) Is the SX the High Output or not? If not, then you've got a solid 10mph on it. I know top speed probably isn't high up on your list, but there isn't much else to set them apart performance-wise. Personally I really loved how the jet boat handled, especially in close-quarters maneuvering (contrary to popular belief).

 

[redcamel]

Re: Caravelle Interceptor or Yamaha SX

5.7 Merc Cruiser / Alpha out / Cap Calls / 150 Hrs

Sorry I was wrong the out is a bravo I

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Caravelle Interceptor or Yamaha SX

I would go with the Caravelle a proven design on a great looking boat, jets on a boat like this I just don't have any faith in.

 

[gtochris]

Re: Caravelle Interceptor or Yamaha SX

I would go with the Caravelle a proven design on a great looking boat, jets on a boat like this I just don't have any faith in.

Agreed! Caravelle makes a beautiful boat (or made, I think they closed shop), having once owned a Jet boat I'd NEVER go back to that! Parts for the Merc are so much easier to come by then Yamaha (in many areas).

 

[yamaha99phx]

Re: Caravelle Interceptor or Yamaha SX

The Yamaha's have very nice layouts and the swim decks are awesome. They do handle differently at low speeds and it can take some time to get used too. Check out http://yamahajetboaters.com/ there is tons of information about these boats.

Try to take both boats on test drives, you never know what might be a got to have feature or something you can't live with.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Caravelle Interceptor or Yamaha SX

Agreed! Caravelle makes a beautiful boat (or made, I think they closed shop), having once owned a Jet boat I'd NEVER go back to that! Parts for the Merc are so much easier to come by then Yamaha (in many areas).

what kind of jet boat did you own?