SouthWind 229 FS 2008 vs SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the SouthWind 229 FS 2008 or the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013?

The SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 is the longer of the two at 27,5 feet overall. The SouthWind 229 FS 2008 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 5,5 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the SouthWind 229 FS 2008 or the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013?

For trailering, the SouthWind 229 FS 2008 has the edge at 3 500 lbs dry weight versus 5 600 lbs for the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The SouthWind 229 FS 2008 tops out at 115 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that - matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The SouthWind 229 FS 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 is certified for 13. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing - on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the SouthWind 229 FS 2008 and SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 share an 8 ft. 6 in. beam - meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the SouthWind 229 FS 2008 or the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013?

The SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 has the bigger tank at 70 gallons, versus 35 gallons on the SouthWind 229 FS 2008. That 35-gallon difference translates to roughly 105–175 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the SouthWind 229 FS 2008 and SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the SouthWind 229 FS 2008 and the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 are built by SouthWind. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

SouthWind 229 FS 2008 vs SouthWind 2600 SD 2013

SouthWind

SouthWind 229 FS 2008

2008

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SouthWind

SouthWind 2600 SD 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

SouthWind 229 FS 2008 vs SouthWind 2600 SD 2013: Same Brand, Different Boat

The SouthWind 229 FS 2008 is a pontoon design and the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 is a deep-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 measures 27,5 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 5,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the SouthWind 229 FS 2008 at 22,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 tips the scales at 5 600 lbs - 2 100 lbs less than the SouthWind 229 FS 2008 at 3 500 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 225 hp, the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 has a 110-hp advantage over the SouthWind 229 FS 2008's 115-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 carries 70 gallons versus 35 gallons in the SouthWind 229 FS 2008. 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 SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 is rated for 13 passengers, while the SouthWind 229 FS 2008 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 13 passengers and at 27,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The SouthWind 229 FS 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeSouthWind

Model229 FS

Model2600 SD

Model Year2008

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in.

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise12℃

Deadrise20°

Draft [drive up] - Detail10 in.

Draft [drive up] - Detail15 in.

Draft [drive up] meters0.25

Draft [drive up] meters0.38

Draft [drive up] inches10

Draft [drive up] inches15

Draft [max] - Detail30 in.

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.76

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches30

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail3,500 lbs.

Weight - Detail4,191 lbs. dry 5,600 lbs. wet

Weight - kg1587.57

Weight - kg2540.12

Weight - lbs.3500

Weight - lbs.5600

Length - Feet22

Length - Feet27.5

Length - Inches9

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 9 in.

Length overall - Detail27 ft. 6 in.

Length overall - Meters6.93

Length overall - Meters8.38

Length overall - Inches273

Length overall - Inches330

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail51 in.

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.3

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches51

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typePontoon

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49

Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal35

Fuel tank capacity - Gal70

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max115-225 hp

Engine max225 - 300 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,550 lbs.

Maximum capacity2,700 lbs.

Maximum people11

Maximum people13

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity12.5 gal.

SouthWind 229 FS 2008 vs SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the SouthWind 229 FS 2008 or the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013?

The SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 is the longer of the two at 27,5 feet overall. The SouthWind 229 FS 2008 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 5,5 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer - the SouthWind 229 FS 2008 or the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013?

For trailering, the SouthWind 229 FS 2008 has the edge at 3 500 lbs dry weight versus 5 600 lbs for the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The SouthWind 229 FS 2008 tops out at 115 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that - matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The SouthWind 229 FS 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 is certified for 13. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing - on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the SouthWind 229 FS 2008 and SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 share an 8 ft. 6 in. beam - meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the SouthWind 229 FS 2008 or the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013?

The SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 has the bigger tank at 70 gallons, versus 35 gallons on the SouthWind 229 FS 2008. That 35-gallon difference translates to roughly 105–175 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the SouthWind 229 FS 2008 and SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the SouthWind 229 FS 2008 and the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 are built by SouthWind. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← SouthWind 229 FS 2008 full specs ← SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 full specs