Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Ebbtide 2300 Bow Rider w/ Liner 2005 vs Ebbtide 2500 SS DC FC Sport 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Ebbtide 2300 Bow Rider w/ Liner 2005 vs Ebbtide 2500 SS DC FC Sport 2009 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Ebbtide 2300 Bow Rider w/ Liner 2005 at 23,0 ft versus Ebbtide 2500 SS DC FC Sport 2009 at 23,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Ebbtide 2300 Bow Rider w/ Liner 2005 tips the scales at 465 lbs — 423 lbs more than the Ebbtide 2500 SS DC FC Sport 2009 at 42 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.
The Ebbtide 2500 SS DC FC Sport 2009 tops out at 320 hp. Engine specs for the Ebbtide 2300 Bow Rider w/ Liner 2005 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Ebbtide 2500 SS DC FC Sport 2009 carries 68 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Ebbtide 2300 Bow Rider w/ Liner 2005. 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 2500 SS DC FC Sport 2009 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Ebbtide 2300 Bow Rider w/ Liner 2005 caps at 13. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Ebbtide 2500 SS DC FC Sport 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Ebbtide 2500 SS DC FC Sport 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 23,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Ebbtide 2300 Bow Rider w/ Liner 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 13 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model2300 Bow Rider w/ Liner
Model2500 SS DC FC Sport
Model Year2005
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Depth - Detail36 in
Depth - DetailCenterline at Floor: 33 in. (83.82 cm)
Depth - Centimeters91.44
Depth - Centimeters83.82
Depth - Inches36
Depth - Inches33
Weight - Detail4,650 lbs
Weight - Detail4,200 lbs. (1,905.09 kg)
Weight - kg2109.2
Weight - kg1905.09
Weight - lbs.465
Weight - lbs.42
Length - Feet23
Length - Feet23.67
Length - Inches2
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 8 in. (7.21 m)
Length overall - Meters7.06
Length overall - Meters7.21
Length overall - Inches278
Length overall - Inches284
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters7.21
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 0 in. (7.92)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail68 gal. (257.41 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98
Fuel tank capacity - Liters257.41
Fuel tank capacity - Gal7
Fuel tank capacity - Gal68
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury MerCruiser
Engine modelnot available
Engine modelV-8, 305 cc 5.0 l
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Engine maxnot available
Engine max320 hp (164 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,050 lbs
Maximum capacityNMMA Rated: 2,200 lbs. (997.90 kg)
Maximum people13
Maximum people14 or 2,100 lbs. (952.54 kg)
Headnot available
HeadPort-a-potty
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee