Trophy 2302 vs. Caravelle 230 WA

[jpsuominen]

Hi there, and thank you for all the input on my previous threads regarding what will hopefully be my next boat.

Since the pre-owned market in Europe is "slim to none", and importing a pre-owned boat from the U.S. seems to be a no-go due to the need of CE certification, I guess I'm "stuck" with buying locally (Finland, that is). The only boats that are available over here (well, only boats I'm interested in) are BW Conquest 235, Scout Abaco 242, Trophy 2302 and Caravelle 230 WA. Of those, the Scout is out, due to it not being a true walkaround with recessed side decks. The BW Conquest is too pricey over here, so that leaves me with the Trophy or the Caravelle.

I've finally managed to arrange sea-trials for both boats (although the Caravelle is the I/O model, whereas I'm interested in the OB model), so I guess that alone might help me make the decision. Still, I'd like to hear your opinions on these boats. Whatever you might have to say will be of interest to me.

Here are some pros and cons on both boats from my point of view:

Trophy 2302:
+ Dealer support. Trophy is represented by a major player in the Finnish boat business, along with Brunswick Europe.
+ Polyethylene fuel tank (ethanol safe?)
+ Vinylester skin coat
+ Big windshield to keep wind and spray out
+ Optional equipment list suits my needs very well
+ No in-deck fishboxes/storage to gather dirt and grime
- Deck layout isn't as "nice & clean" as it could be
- No obvious way to mount downriggers in transom corners
- "Cooler seat fishboxes" might be harder to clean after use than an in-deck fishbox?
- No molded-in bow seat (although there seems to be plenty of space to sit/stand there and fish anyway)

Caravelle:
+ Great layout, very roomy cockpit + bow seat
+ Choice of engines (dealer installs whatever I like, although I'd probably go for a Verado anyway)
+ Tad cheaper than the Trophy
+ Huge fishbox
+ 24 degree deadrise
- Dealer has been in business for less than a year, showroom still under construction
- No windshield wipers (can be installed at any marine shop, but still)
- Cabin isn't as nice as on the Trophy
- Outboard on bracket => boat too heavy in the stern?

Anyway, I guess I'll be a lot wiser after two weeks, but for the moment I'm leaning towards the Trophy.

Thank you in advance for your views on this!

[Proline3250]

Having looked at both I had decided on the Trophy... things did not go my way though...

[A Few Dollars]

You don't have many choices. How many other dealers around that sell the Caravelle just in case your dealership doesn't stay in business?

[Papa Bear]

I'd go for the trophy, I've got the smaller 2052 now and have my eyes on the 2902 in the next couple of years.

Dave

[Barryrod]

I have the CC version of the 23ftr and love it. Handles rough seas very well. I have launched completely out of the water twice and the landing was relatively soft. It is a little ass heavy with my 200HPDI but the W/A version will add a little weight forward. Anyway a little adjustment of the tabs fixes it. I have had her up to 42.5mph with the 200, would love to see her with the 300HPDI. I bet she would fly.

Also that bracket is wonderful if you spend any time in the water. It is so easy to get back in the boat. We have an Armstrong ladder but have never used it.

[Fishfun]

i have a 2005 trophy 2302 with 225 verado im very happy with the boat euro transom takes room as you know so its not good for 6 guys to go fishing.i also wanted the poly fuel tank and vynilester skin coat,as for the fish boxes after i clean the boat i change brush head and clean out the fish box no big deal.if i was buying a boat today i would buy the same boat

[jpsuominen]

A Few Dollars - 8/3/2006 6:36 PM

You don't have many choices. How many other dealers around that sell the Caravelle just in case your dealership doesn't stay in business?

Yeah, tell me about it...

Regarding the dealer, he's the one and only, and that's what worries me. There is a very unflattering history of dealers that carry only one imported brand here in Finland. They tend not to stay in business for very long. The fact that the average Finnish boater thinks that all U.S. made boats are cr@p doesn't exactly help the situation. On the other hand, there are a lot of skilled marine repair shops over here, but they won't of course honor any warranties in case the dealership goes belly-up.

The Trophy importer/dealership is, like I said, a very well known player in the Finnish market with a solid reputation. To top it off, they're opening a new dealership that's practically next door (well, it's maybe 2 km away) to me and my slip.

Also, the fact that the Trophy is a bit (600 lbs) lighter would make it somewhat easier to trailer and launch from the far from perfect natural ramps (sand/gravel sloping beaches) that are so abundant in Norway, where we make a trip or two every year. Still, 600 lbs on a ~4000 lbs dry weight boat won't be a deal breaker.

So, I guess that based on what I just wrote, the "sensible" option would be to go with the Trophy? Still, I'll have to wait for the sea-trials + prices before I can make any final decisions. Thanks for the input!

[jpsuominen]

Fishfun - 8/3/2006 9:52 PM

i have a 2005 trophy 2302 with 225 verado im very happy with the boat euro transom takes room as you know so its not good for 6 guys to go fishing.

Hi. Do you have any performance numbers for your rig? Cruise mph/mpg/rpm? Do you feel that the 225 is enough? I've been tossing between the 225 and the 250, but since the difference in price is not all that much, and you seldom hear anyone wishing for a smaller engine I'm leaning towards the 250...

There would probably be a maximum of 4 guys fishing, but I guess maybe up to 7-8 people for the occasional cruising trips. The Caravelle would seem to offer more seating (the aft bench seat looks a bit wider), especially if you count in the bow seat, but the Trophy does seem to seat 5-6 people in the cockpit quite nicely (with the aft seat). Of course, the bow seat shouldn't probably be used in anything but flat water conditions.

Oh well, I'll be wiser in two weeks, but if you do have any performance figures to share, I'd be really happy.

[grahamular2]

jpsuominen - 8/3/2006 9:48 AM
[...]
The BW Conquest is too pricey over here[...]

It is over here too!

I'd go with the Trophy. Given your limited selection, the established Trophy dealer would be a deciding factor for me.

[jpsuominen]

grahamular2 - 8/3/2006 10:40 PM

It is over here too!

A new 235 Conquest + 250 Verado with no options what so ever retails for a bit over $100k over here. Of course, a similar Trophy (no options) retails for a bit over $80k. What's that, around 60% more than what you pay for them? Of course, customs (1,7%), VAT (22%) and transportation account for quite a lot of that difference, but still...

I guess that the dealership-factor might very well become the decisive factor here. I just realised, that the Trophy dealership also carries the brand that I currently own, so I'm hoping for a decent offer to trade-in to save me the hassle of trying to sell it myself.

Oh well, I just keep rambling on, but I guess I'm quite excited about this. I've been exploring my options for over a year now, and finally I feel like I'm getting somewhere with this.

[jpsuominen]

Daymn... Just as I thought that I had it all figured out, I get an offer from Germany for a fully loaded 2005 "showroom model" Seaswirl 2301 with Alaska package and two 150 Verados. The price, including delivery from Germany to Finland is less than what they are asking for a no-options Trophy 2302 with a 250 Verado.

Now what do I do? The offer is so good, that I think I'll just have to fly to Germany for a weekend and try out this one as well. Would anyone have any estimates/knowledge regarding performance and fuel economy on a rig like this?

[grahamular2]

I think you will find the Seaswirl hull/ride to be superior to both the Trophy and Caravelle, and the overall quality to be about the same or maybe a notch higher. I had an '04 2301 with single 200 HPDI (hard top but not Alaska package) and got about 3mpg at 30mph cruise with WOT at 40mph. Not sure what the numbers would be for the 150 Verados, but you could check in at the Seaswirl Owner's Club at http://seastriper.com to see if anyone else has that combo.

[jpsuominen]

OK, thanks. Will do that.