In terms of looks and style the 2600 SS FCDC definitely has a couple of elements going for it many other deckboats don't.

In terms of looks and style the 2600 SS FCDC definitely has a couple of elements going for it many other deckboats don't.



If people like a little of something, then many times they'll like more of it even better. This saying is true on so many levels and is especially true with boaters. We have a feeling that it is this very thing that is behind the creation of Ebbtide's brand-new 2600 SS Fun Cruiser Dual Console deckboat.

First of all, this 26-foot, 6-inch craft is the largest deckboat to date from Ebbtide — this from a company that has more than 40 years of boat building experience. Second, this isn't just a "large" deckboat — it's a large deckboat with no small amount of attitude.

The idea was to capitalize on the ever-popular deckboat concept of providing more room and comfort in an even bigger craft along with throaty performance appeal. It not only had to perform out on the water with speed and tight handling, it also had to perform at the dock with sporty style and looks. And it does — on both counts.

In terms of power you can go as high as 375 hp, which was the case with our test boat. Not only did we get very close to the 60 mph we were told this boat could push, we were also treated to a deckboat ride that reminded us of being on high-performance go-fast boats.

In terms of looks and style the 2600 SS FCDC definitely has a couple of elements going for it many other deckboats don't. First, there's the lightning-bolt look created by the hull vents on the side (which allow more air to get under the hull and increase performance). Then there's the optional low-profile smoked windshield, which kind of puts a pair of thin sunglasses on the boat to sport it up even more.

It's also worth knowing how Ebbtide builds boats. According to some estimates, it takes Ebbtide about 25-percent longer to build boats compared to most of its competitors. The reason is the hull and deck of every Ebbtide boat is 100-percent hand laid. Then, a wooden girder system is laid down and completely encapsulated in fiberglass (Ebbtide likes wood because of its resilience and its performance in rough water). Next, foam is used to fill in every area before the sole is put on. Ebbtide is a careful and cautious builder, and it shows. The only possible regret is that the slower building process limits how many boats Ebbtida can build a year — but we'd rather see the company get it right with fewer boats than build more and get sloppy.

Performance

We had three people aboard while testing the 2600 SS FCDC out on J. Percy Priest Lake in Nashville, which is only about 40 miles away from Ebbtide's headquarters in White Bluff, Tennessee. We had a full tank of fuel (70 gallons or about 438 pounds), and a 375 hp 8.1 Gi Volvo Penta with a dual-prop drive spinning a pair of stainless steel counter-rotating props.

For top speed we posted an impressive 58.5 mph, which is very close to the 60-mph mark Ebbtide peeps said this boat is capable of. If we lightened up on fuel and a passenger or two we likely would have pushed it a point or two past 60 mph. Range at top speed will be about 114 miles. Our most efficient cruising speed was 35.5 mph at 3,000 rpm, which would yield more than 190 miles in range — that's a lot for a deckboat.

The 2600 SS FCDC is a big deckboat and it had a large, comfortable feel to it while driving. If we pushed it hard enough we could get it to slide a little in the corners, which is typical of any large boat with a lot of power and a shallow deadrise (a shallow deadrise is a deckboat mainstay). There were no problems with blow-out or tracking.

The 2600 SS FCDC does have a measurable amount of go-fast boat influence. With speeds hovering near 60 mph and the ability to open it up a little more and feel some rumble with the optional Captain's Call side exhaust system, you can be sure this boat will delight the side of you that seeks a speed and noise adrenaline rush.

Overall

We'd be inclined to call Ebbtide's new 2600 SS Fun Cruiser Dual Console an ultimate day-tripping deckboat for fair-weather fun. It's got performance, it's got looks, it's got range and it's got plenty of room for an extended crowd.

It's still a deckboat, so it's not going to be the best option if you endeavor to spend a lot of time in big, rough waters. But if you have access to larger, mostly calm lakes, bays and rivers you will really be able to own the experience with the 2600 SS FCDC.

The base price with a 375 hp Volvo Penta stern drive is a little over $67,000, which makes sense considering the amount of power, the size of the boat and the amount of effort, attention to detail and quality that goes into the construction of the boat. If you've been dreaming about a big, brawny deckboat with tons of speed and performance, you'd be wise to give this one a look.

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Manufactuer Contact Information

Ebbtide Corp.
2545 Jones Creek Road
White Bluff, TN 37187
(615) 797-3193
www.ebbtideboats.com