Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Tidewater Boats 196DC Explorer 2009 vs Tidewater Boats 2196 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Tidewater Boats 196DC Explorer 2009 against a tri-hull Tidewater Boats 2196 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 150 hp for the Tidewater Boats 196DC Explorer 2009 and 150 hp for the Tidewater Boats 2196 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 — 6 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 2196 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Tidewater Boats 196DC Explorer 2009 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 2196 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Tidewater Boats 2196 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 21,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Tidewater Boats 196DC Explorer 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeTidewater Boats
MakeTidewater Boats
Model196DC Explorer
Model2196
Model Year2009
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.49
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches98
Beam - Inches96
Deadrise17℃
Deadrise4°
Draft [max] - Detail13 in
Draft [max] - Detail4 - 8 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.33
Draft [max] - Meters0.2
Draft [max] - Inches13
Draft [max] - Inches8
Weight - Detail1,800 lbs
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg816.47
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.18
Weight - lbs.not available
Height [transom]25 in
Height [transom]20 or 25 in
Length - Feet19.5
Length - Feet21
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 6 in
Length overall - Detail21 ft
Length overall - Meters5.94
Length overall - Meters6.4
Length overall - Inches234
Length overall - Inches252
Height - Detailnot available
Height - DetailGunnel: 23 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters0.58
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches23
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialComposite
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeTri-Hull
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard115 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp
Engine max150 hp
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower90 hp recommended