When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Tidewater Boats 2100 Bay Max 2012 and the Tidewater Boats 228WA Excursion 2011 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Tidewater Boats 2100 Bay Max 2012 at 21,2 ft versus Tidewater Boats 228WA Excursion 2011 at 21,8 ft. At 19 lbs and 28 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 250 hp, the Tidewater Boats 228WA Excursion 2011 has a 50-hp advantage over the Tidewater Boats 2100 Bay Max 2012's 200-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 6 gal and 9 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
The Tidewater Boats 2100 Bay Max 2012 is rated for up to 8 people. Passenger data for the Tidewater Boats 228WA Excursion 2011 wasn't available.
Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Tidewater Boats 228WA Excursion 2011 and its 250-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Tidewater Boats 2100 Bay Max 2012 with its 200-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.