Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Ebbtide 2500 SS SC FC 2009 vs Ebbtide 2600 Cuddy Bow Rider w/Liner 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Ebbtide 2500 SS SC FC 2009 vs Ebbtide 2600 Cuddy Bow Rider w/Liner 2006 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 2500 SS SC FC 2009 at 23,7 ft versus Ebbtide 2600 Cuddy Bow Rider w/Liner 2006 at 26,0 ft. At 42 lbs and 52 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Ebbtide 2600 Cuddy Bow Rider w/Liner 2006 has a 205-hp advantage over the Ebbtide 2500 SS SC FC 2009's 220-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Ebbtide 2500 SS SC FC 2009 carries 68 gallons versus 11 gallons in the Ebbtide 2600 Cuddy Bow Rider w/Liner 2006. 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 SC FC 2009 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Ebbtide 2600 Cuddy Bow Rider w/Liner 2006 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Ebbtide 2500 SS SC FC 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Ebbtide 2500 SS SC FC 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 2600 Cuddy Bow Rider w/Liner 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model2500 SS SC FC
Model2600 Cuddy Bow Rider w/Liner
Model Year2009
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Depth - DetailCenterline at Floor: 33 in. (83.82 cm)
Depth - Detail37 in
Depth - Centimeters83.82
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Inches33
Depth - Inches37
Weight - Detail4,200 lbs. (1,905.09 kg)
Weight - Detail5,200 lbs
Weight - kg1905.09
Weight - kg2358.68
Weight - lbs.42
Weight - lbs.52
Length - Meters7.21
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet23.67
Length - Feet26
Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 0 in. (7.92 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 8 in. (7.21 m)
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters7.21
Length overall - Meters7.92
Length overall - Inches284
Length overall - Inches312
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury MerCruiser
Engine makenot available
Engine modelV-8, 305 ci 5.0 l
Engine modelnot available
Fuel system2V carb
Fuel systemnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail68 gal. (257.41 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail110 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters257.41
Fuel tank capacity - Liters416.4
Fuel tank capacity - Gal68
Fuel tank capacity - Gal11
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeInboard
Engine max220 hp (164 kW)
Engine max425 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7 Gi Mpi SX 280 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacityNMMA Rated: 2,200 lbs. (997.90 kg)
Maximum capacity2,050 lbs
Maximum people14 or 2,100 lbs. (952.54 kg)
Maximum people12
Headnot available
HeadPorta-potty
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity2
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity8 gal