Matching a modified vee Ebbtide 176 SE Bow Rider 2013 against a deep vee Ebbtide 202 SE Cuddy 2011 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Ebbtide 176 SE Bow Rider 2013 at 17,5 ft versus Ebbtide 202 SE Cuddy 2011 at 18,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Ebbtide 202 SE Cuddy 2011 tips the scales at 285 lbs — 262 lbs less than the Ebbtide 176 SE Bow Rider 2013 at 23 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 225 hp for the Ebbtide 176 SE Bow Rider 2013 and 225 hp for the Ebbtide 202 SE Cuddy 2011. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Ebbtide 202 SE Cuddy 2011 carries 26 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Ebbtide 176 SE Bow Rider 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Ebbtide 202 SE Cuddy 2011 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Ebbtide 176 SE Bow Rider 2013 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Ebbtide 202 SE Cuddy 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Ebbtide 202 SE Cuddy 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 18,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Ebbtide 176 SE Bow Rider 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.