Matching a modified vee Tidewater Boats 1800 Bay Max 2013 against a tri-hull Tidewater Boats 1996 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 — Tidewater Boats 1800 Bay Max 2013 at 18,2 ft versus Tidewater Boats 1996 2013 at 19,0 ft. At 12 lbs and 15 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 115 hp for the Tidewater Boats 1800 Bay Max 2013 and 115 hp for the Tidewater Boats 1996 2013. 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. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 4 gal and 3 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Tidewater Boats 1800 Bay Max 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Tidewater Boats 1996 2013 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Tidewater Boats 1800 Bay Max 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Tidewater Boats 1800 Bay Max 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 18,2 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Tidewater Boats 1996 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.