When Dan Quayle said, "The future will be better tomorrow," as it turns out, he was right ... that is, if he was referring to boats. Because, after checking out the new Caravelle 237LS, it's clear that the future is looking pretty good. This sleek new bowrider, with its pointy beak and graceful shearline that swoops back to the integrated swim platform, is the first model in what will eventually be a new generation of futuristic LS series bowriders for the company from Americus, Georgia.

From the second you step aboard at the transom, you can see this is a new breed of boat. The large swim platform isn't just a bolted-on deck like you usually see, but rather, is now an integral part of the hull and adds to the sleek look rather than detracting from it. The four-step stainless-steel boarding ladder is cleanly hidden underneath a flip-up cover on the starboard side, and off to port is a built-in, drainable beverage cooler, so swimmers can grab a cold one without traipsing through the cockpit. You can even adjust the stereo from back here, thanks to the optional remote control. Completing the tidy look is a pair of oversized pull-up cleats that are positioned to sit just above floating dock height, which is perfect.

Entry into the cockpit is via the transom walkthrough alley, which prevents boarders from the usual ritual of stepping on the white upholstery before noticing your shoes have mud on them. Although some boaters might wish it had a transom door to corral youngsters and loose items that might blow aft, it would detract from the carefully crafted look. Your first impression of the cockpit is one of roominess because of the wide-open deck space in the center. An L-shaped curved settee stretches from the transom to an abbreviated wet bar refreshment center just behind the co-pilot's seat. The expansive lounge has plenty of room for four adults or a gaggle of kids, with storage underneath as well as a removable cooler. The handle for the engine hatch is positioned on the nicely sculpted bench seatback in a way that you would think would interfere with seating comfort, but it's recessed just enough to be out of the way. With a large locker set into the cockpit sole with a mat for cushioning, skiers can bring along all of their tools of play.

Just behind the lounge is a jumbo sunpad with plenty of room for stretching out. There's a portable table than can be quickly installed into the cockpit sole or in the bowriding section. Abaft of the captain's seat is a unique solo jump seat next to a small Corian-surfaced console that mirrors the one on the port side, and houses a convenient trash receptacle along with a pair of stainless-steel cupholders to match the ones on the opposite side. With the dockside temperature in Sarasota approaching the average high in Equatorial Africa, it's time to get some breeze blowing, so after flicking the blower on from the row of accessory rocker switches to the left of the wheel, the key is cranked on the 5.7L Volvo Penta Gi engine, which puts out 280 hp to the single-prop SX outdrive. The SofTech bucket seats wrap you comfortably, and with inner springs, they stay cushy even when things get rough. While idling out of the Hyatt basin, it's a good time to make use of the flip-up seat bolster that puts the driver's head above the windshield for added ventilation. The fat, padded racing wheel feels good in your hand and gives you thumb rests in the "9 and 3" position, although the expanse of chrome on it can reflect the sun pretty badly at certain angles. The large, analog Faria gauges are easy to read and are set into a faux-burl wood dash, which has a gray finish that inhibits reflections in the windshield. The windshield protects the captain and first mate well enough that they won't have to crank their hats down to the tourniquet setting to keep from losing their lids.

Throwing down the throttle gets you on plane in less than five seconds, and you reach 30 mph in six seconds. Caravelle's XPV hull proves to be a fast one with a top speed of 53.8 mph; pretty good performance for a hull that stretches 23 feet 5 inches, has a trailerable 8-foot-6-inch beam, and weighs 4,000 pounds dry. Although this hull will impress you with its limited bowrise out of the hole and quick planing times, you'll best appreciate it when you crank the wheel or run at top speed. The "X" in XPV stands for the eXtended running surface, which unlike most hull designs, measures almost the entire length of the boat - in effect, making it ride like a bigger boat. This elongated running surface allows you to crank the wheel hard into turns and carve a tight but highly controllable line. At top speed, the "P" comes into play with a delta Pad toward the transom not unlike you see on high-speed bass boats. This flat triangular aft section of the hull gives it extra lift for a better hole shot, and when you trim the boat up, it gives you extra top-end speed. The "V" stands for V-hull, which measures 20-degrees at the stern, giving it the ability to run smoothly in the one-foot chop that's crinkling Sarasota Bay.

As fun as this boat is to drive, you can bet the captain will occasionally relinquish the wheel and head up front to luxuriate in the bowrider seats. The heavy-duty G&T expanded vinyl is comfortable, yet rugged, and the forward facing backrest has just enough angle, but what's the deal with the gigantic decorative black and white piping found through the boat? With the diameter of a guitar cord, picky folks may feel like they're sitting or lying on a garden snake. At the bow, a really useful feature is the beach boarding ladder that resides underneath a flap up front. For easy anchoring or docking, there's a pair of wide pull-up cleats at the bow.

With a base price of $37,864 with the Volvo-Penta 5.7 Gi, and with options like the remote control for the jammin' four-speaker Kenwood CD stereo, the Caravelle 237LS gives you a lot of boat for the money and is loaded with standard features like the snap-in carpeting, tilt steering, and bow filler cushions. The 237LS contains more usable living space than most other boats of its size, in part because the consoles are smaller. For some this will be a plus, but it does come at the expense of not having room for a head compartment. But boaters, being a resourceful lot, will find ways to deal with that problem ("No more Sunny-D for you kids!"). For those looking for a little more attitude, you can pump up the ponies to 320 hp and opt for the switchable through-hull exhaust. With no wood in its construction, you never have to worry about rot, and starting this year, Caravelle is offering a lifetime limited transferable hull warranty. The new design of the 237LS will have owners adding "promenading" in conspicuous places like raft-ups or waterfront hangouts to their usual repertoire of activities - and they won't have to spend a fortune for the privilege.

Caravelle 237LS

LOA 23'5"
Beam 8'6"
Weight 4,000 lbs.
Fuel 53 gal.
Top Speed 53.8 mph
(w/280-hp, 5.7L Volvo Penta Gi)
Time To Plane 4.9 seconds
0-30 mph 6 seconds
Decibels @ Idle 59 dB-A
Decibels @ 30 mph 80 dB-A
Decibels @ WOT 92 dB-A
Base Price $37,964
(w/280-hp, 5.7L Volvo Penta Gi)
Price As Tested $38,274
(w/280-hp, 5.7L Volvo Penta Gi)
Hull Warranty Limited Lifetime
NMMA Certified? Yes

Caravelle Powerboats Inc.
P.O. Box 1899
111 Matthews Dr.
Americus, GA 31709
(229) 924-1185
www.caravelleboats.com