I test drove one. Well laid out and thought out boat. Build quality was top notch as you’d expect from Tidewater. Unfortunately the hull is a dog. We could barely get 50mph with a 250 yammy. The hull also like to porpoise quite a bit. I had them fill the live well and it splashed all over the place. Rear seat passengers would get soaked. I ended up going with a Gulf Coast Saber Cat and incorporating some of the design features such as the top and the Rokk phone charger

 

Is it possible to the raptor with a merc 400? Curious if it would do better? Specs say the hull empty is 2800lbs which is why the sho 250 couldn’t get it there.

I literally just came across this boat today and hate to hear it porpoises!

 

Someone told me this was a simmons hull, anyone know?

 

I saw one for sale and the listing said it was a Simmons, but the listing was a little confusing, it made it seem like it was Simmons built

 

I think Premier has a 2023 model for like 40k off retail right now. If you want more speed go with a Reaper, R24, or Simmons and as far a porpoising it might need trim tabs. I have a Shoalwater 23 and it hates trim, will porpoise at less than 10% so I have to play with the tabs to find the sweet spot for RPM and speed that day. Funny thing is I can do all kinds of stuff with trim, JP, tabs, etc...and get maybe 1 or 2 mph for it so I just keep the motor tucked no tabs and JP on 4 and let eat at 50 mph all day. Go for a ride on that Tidewater, you might like it and get a hell of a deal on it at the same time.

 

Only boats I'm aware of that are Simmons pops are Majek Reaper and Shallow Sport SCB, my opinion is the TW doesn't look at all like that Simmons hull. Go out for a test ride on the boat, that will tell you all you need to know to make a decision.

 

fyi

 

I saw it think a 25' with a 400 Merc at Big D in Hitchock. Wasn't super impressed with layout but was like 80k.

 

I rarely trust what someone is telling me when they are trying to sell me a boat or a vehicle, 99% of the time it is a pitch. However.....they could have modeled the chines after a Simmons and then pitch that it is a Simmons designed hull lol. If you like the demo buy it, that is all that matters at the end of the day. This might be a good week to demo, winds aren't crazy but strong enough to find out how dry it is.

 

haha 10 4 on that good buddy! never trust, always verify (demo ).

Don't mean to belabor this further but just posting here for the community's knowledge. This is the statement I got back from Premiere manager "Tidewater purchased the mold when SCB sold to shallowsport. Mr Simmons sold the mold to a bunch of manufacturers I.e majek, gulf coast, pescador, tidewater etc. Tidewater took it and added 1 foot and subtracted a foot since the mold was a 24’ boat. You’re going to have very similar performance, but not identical being this is a capped boat and not rolled gunnel so it’s a little heavier. The 23’ will still float in about 9” with the raised box"

 

haha 10 4 on that good buddy! never trust, always verify (demo ).

Don't mean to belabor this further but just posting here for the community's knowledge. This is the statement I got back from Premiere manager "Tidewater purchased the mold when SCB sold to shallowsport. Mr Simmons sold the mold to a bunch of manufacturers I.e majek, gulf coast, pescador, tidewater etc. Tidewater took it and added 1 foot and subtracted a foot since the mold was a 24’ boat. You’re going to have very similar performance, but not identical being this is a capped boat and not rolled gunnel so it’s a little heavier. The 23’ will still float in about 9” with the raised box"

🤣 yeah and pigs fly.

Like doodah said, if you like that’s all that matters. I don’t believe any of them will float in 9” with a cap. 10-12” yes, 9” I don’t think so. That’s like the fat girl at the bar saying she weighs 110 before you get to the 20th shot of whiskey.

 

My Shoalwater with the cap will barely float in 9" add full fuel and 4 people and it is sitting on the bottom.