Ebbtide 2200 Mystique: Powerboat Performance Report
Ebbtide 2200 Mystique: Bow rider proves lively and functional.
April 20, 2004
The 2200 Mystique reached 58.7 mph with its 320-hp small-block engine running 5,100 rpm. (Photo by Tom Newby)
Long on features, short on performance—that's the book on many of today's open-bow runabouts. And given the amenity wants and utility needs of the average runabout buyer, there's nothing wrong with that. The average runabout guy cares more about a fun day on the water with his family than the actual driving experience.
But what if you care about both and you're in the market for a family-oriented bow rider? You'd do well to test-drive the Ebbtide 2200 Mystique. With an efficient MerCruiser MX 6.2 MPI engine providing the power, the 22-footer ran almost 60 mph and delivered sweet handling during our evaluations in Fort Myers, Fla. Plus, the boat came with everything, from a sun pad walk-through to stainless-steel cupholders, and the proverbial "kitchen" sink.
Actually, the sink was located in the co-pilot's dash.
Performance
The 2200 Mystique reached 58.7 mph with its 320-hp small-block engine running 5,100 rpm. The boat was outfitted with a 1.65:1 reduction Bravo One drive and a Mercury Mirage Plus 14 3/4" x 21" three-blade stainless-steel propeller.
That top speed spoke to the efficiency of the 2200 Mystique's 20-degree, V-pad hull. So, too, did the boat's 3.9-second time to plane and its ability to reach 52 mph in 15 seconds. The bow rider also ran from 20 to 40 mph in 5.1 seconds and from 30 to 50 mph in 6.5 seconds. Though heaven knows we often sing the praises of four-blade propellers, the numbers proved that a three-blade wheel can work wonders in the correct application.
Potential runabout buyers will go a long way before they find a model that is as fun to drive as the 2200 Mystique. A light touch at the wheel, the bow rider drew CNC-precise patterns in the water. Nimble as it was, the boat leveled off smoothly from its decidedly inward-leaning stance as it exited corners and ran a straight line without driver correction.
Though it wouldn't be anyone's choice for tackling tall water, the 2200 Mystique did handle 1- to 3-foot wind chop and boat wakes without excessive jarring or rattling.
Workmanship
A production builder by definition, Ebbtide does a number of things that raise its products above standard production fare. For example, the manufacturer installs all hardware, from Accon Pull-Up cleats to stainless-steel grab handles, with aluminum backing plates. The company also lays up all its boats by hand and does not use chopped fiberglass. Lamination ingredients in the 2200 Mystique included Neste gelcoat, AME 5000 resin, three-quarter to one-half-ounce mat, 18- and 24-ounce woven roving, 2 mil Coremat and XM2415 bias ply fiberglass.
Like most production builders, Ebbtide used lag bolts driven into the stringers to install the boat's engine. But to add brawn, the builder took extra time and trouble to include aluminum backing plates in the installation. Also well above average for a runabout, wiring in the engine compartment, accessible via a sun pad/hatch supported by two gas struts, exhibited generally good support.
Rather than leaving the bilge area rough, the builder finished it in spatter gelcoat. That included the large stowage space, with removable partitions, on each side of the engine.
Interior
Ebbtide left no space untouched in the 2200 Mystique, starting with its large add-on swim platform, which had a ladder. The integrated portion of the platform had two stowage lockers—one that drained—and a remote control for the stereo. For access to the cockpit from the platform, the builder employed removable center sections in the sun pad and a substantial U-shape lounge ahead of it.
Thick gunwale padding in the cockpit is a must in a family-oriented bow rider, and the 2200 Mystique was loaded with it.
Functional snap-in carpet, another strong feature for family use, covered the boat's entire sole. The builder even supplied pieces of snap-in carpet for the sun pad and U-shape lounge walk-through sections for those who want to remove the filler cushions for the day but don't want to tread on slick fiberglass.
Also on the family runabout "must-have" list is lots of easily accessible stowage space, and the boat delivered that in the form of an in-sole ski locker with protective rubber matting and a hinged lid, lockers underneath the U-shape cockpit and open-bow lounges, and gunwale trays. Thanks to a dedicated locker on the boat's nose, none of those spaces will need to be used to hold an anchor.
No passenger will have to hunt for a place to find purchase. Elliptical stainless-steel grab handles were located at every seat in the boat.
Other standout interior features included swiveling bucket seats with flip-up bottoms for the driver and co-pilot and a swing-out wastebasket in the driver's console. A draining cooler and a locking glove box were installed in the co-pilot's dash, and privately labeled silver-face gauges and a tilt steering wheel were at the helm. To maximize tanning-bed space, Ebbtide provided filler cushions for the cockpit and open-bow lounges.
Though we appreciated the idea of supplying a freshwater sink in the co-pilot's dash, we suspect it won't see much duty.
Overall
Finding a runabout that's loaded with features isn't especially difficult—the market is saturated with them. But finding one that can hold your interest behind the wheel, if such things concern you, is a bit more tricky. Ebbtide built the 2200 Mystique as a ride for the entire family, without forgetting that someone has to drive.
Hull and Propulsion Information
| Deadrise at transom | 20 degrees |
| Centerline | 24'4" (with swim platform) |
| Beam | 8'6" |
| Hull weight | 3,950 pounds |
| Engine | MerCruiser MX 6.2 MPI |
| Cylinder type | V-8 |
| Cubic-inch displacement/horsepower | 377/320 |
| Lower-unit gear ratio | 1.65:1 |
| Propeller | Mercury Mirage Plus 14 3/4" x 21" |
Pricing
| Base retail | $38,564 |
| Price as tested | $51,313 |
Options on Test Boat
Upgrade to MerCruiser MX 6.2 MPI engine ($7,057), Captain's Call exhaust ($1,692), extended swim platform ($1,233), bow and cockpit cover ($867), custom appearance package ($683), cockpit carpet ($600), Halon fire extinguisher ($317) and docking lights ($300).
Test Conditions
Location, Fort Myers Fla.
Temperature, 85 degrees
Humidity ,57 percent
Wind speed, 2-4 mph
Sea conditions, 1' chop
Elevation, Sea level
Acceleration
| 3 seconds | 22 mph |
| 5 seconds | 37 mph |
| 10 seconds | 44 mph |
| 15 seconds | 52 mph |
Midrange Acceleration
| 20-40 mph | 5.1 seconds |
| 30-50 mph | 6.5 seconds |
Rpm vs. Mph
| 1000 | 6 mph |
| 1500 | 8 mph |
| 2000 | 14 mph |
| 2500 | 23 mph |
| 3000 | 34 mph |
| 3500 | 40 mph |
| 4000 | 47 mph |
| 4500 | 53 mph |
| 5000 | 56 mph |
Top Speed
| Radar | 58.7 mph at 5100 rpm |
| Nordskog Performance Products GPS | 58.5 mph at 5100 rpm |
Planing
| Time to plane | 3.9 seconds |
| Minimum planing speed | 15 mph |
Fuel Economy
| At 25 mph | 3.7 mpg |
| At 35 mph | 3.2 mpg |
| At 45 mph | 3.2 mpg |
| At 55 mph | 2.6 mpg |
| At WOT | 2.4 mpg |
| Fuel capacity | 55 gallons |
For More Information
Ebbtide Boats
Dept. PB
2545 Jones Creek Road
White Bluff, TN 37187
615-797-3193
www.ebbtideboats.com.
