SouthWind 2400 SD 2012 vs SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the SouthWind 2400 SD 2012 or the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013?

The SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 is the longer of the two at 27,5 feet overall. The SouthWind 2400 SD 2012 comes in at 25,5 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the SouthWind 2400 SD 2012 or the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013?

For trailering, the SouthWind 2400 SD 2012 has the edge at 51 lbs dry weight versus 56 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 2400 SD 2012 tops out at 200 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 2400 SD 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 12 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 2400 SD 2012 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 2400 SD 2012 or the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013?

The SouthWind 2400 SD 2012 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the SouthWind 2400 SD 2012 and SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the SouthWind 2400 SD 2012 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 2400 SD 2012 vs SouthWind 2600 SD 2013

SouthWind

SouthWind 2400 SD 2012

2012

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SouthWind

SouthWind 2600 SD 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

SouthWind 2400 SD 2012 vs SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee SouthWind 2400 SD 2012 against a deep vee SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 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 — SouthWind 2400 SD 2012 at 25,5 ft versus SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 at 27,5 ft. At 51 lbs and 56 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 225 hp, the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 has a 25-hp advantage over the SouthWind 2400 SD 2012's 200-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 2400 SD 2012 carries 55 gallons versus 7 gallons in the SouthWind 2600 SD 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 SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 is rated for 13 passengers, while the SouthWind 2400 SD 2012 caps at 12. 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 2400 SD 2012 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

MakeSouthWind

Model2400 SD

Model2600 SD

Model Year2012

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail51 in

Bridge clearance - Meters1.3

Bridge clearance - Inches51

Deadrise20°

Draft [drive up] - Detail15 in

Draft [drive up] meters0.38

Draft [drive up] inches15

Weight - Detail3,722 lbs. dry 5,100 lbs. wet

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

Weight - kg2313.32

Weight - kg2540.12

Weight - lbs.51

Weight - lbs.56

Length - Feet25.5

Length - Feet27.5

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Detail27 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Meters7.77

Length overall - Meters8.38

Length overall - Inches306

Length overall - Inches33

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal7

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max200 - 300 hp

Engine max225 - 300 hp

Operational Info

Water capacity12.5 gal

Maximum capacity2,400 lbs

Maximum capacity2,700 lbs

Maximum people12

Maximum people13

SouthWind 2400 SD 2012 vs SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the SouthWind 2400 SD 2012 or the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013?

The SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 is the longer of the two at 27,5 feet overall. The SouthWind 2400 SD 2012 comes in at 25,5 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the SouthWind 2400 SD 2012 or the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013?

For trailering, the SouthWind 2400 SD 2012 has the edge at 51 lbs dry weight versus 56 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 2400 SD 2012 tops out at 200 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 2400 SD 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 12 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 2400 SD 2012 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 2400 SD 2012 or the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013?

The SouthWind 2400 SD 2012 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the SouthWind 2600 SD 2013. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the SouthWind 2400 SD 2012 and SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the SouthWind 2400 SD 2012 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 2400 SD 2012 full specs ← SouthWind 2600 SD 2013 full specs