Tidewater 272 CC

Few types of vessels offer more thrills than a fast, solidly built center console.

For wind-in-your-hair excitement, they are nearly impossible to beat. And the Tidewater 272 CC is an exceptional example of how wonderful these boats can be as Great Lakes cruisers.

“The thing I might like most about these boats is that they are wide and they have a lot of flare,” says Matt Loew of Anchorage Yacht Sales in Holland, Michigan. “That flare carries back quite a ways, and coupled with a broken sheerline that drops down on the gunwale, it really makes for a dry ride. That’s super important to boaters up here, or at least it should be. If you’re in Florida, it’s one thing to get a little wet out on the water, but if you’re on Lake Michigan, it’s quite another. It’s definitely a lot more comfortable to have a dry ride up here, I’ll say that for sure.”

Perhaps the boat’s flare-happy design should come as no surprise, as Tidewater builds near Columbia, South Carolina, a hotbed for boat building talent and one influenced by the gnarly seas found in the mid-Atlantic. This boat is nothing if not seaworthy.

She’s sporty as all get out too. Top speed clocks in at a sizzling 52 mph and outboard engine configurations nudge up to 500 hp. And it’s not just the captain who gets to have all the fun. This boat is fish ready, with in-sole fishboxes, multiple rocket launchers and rod holders, and a standard livewell. Inward-opening dive doors on the starboard side of the cockpit make for easy access to the water for swimmers and divers.

Seating for guests abounds, with a fold-down bench seat at the transom, and a full lounge with forward-facing and U-shaped seating in the bow. The Tidewater 272 CC makes an excellent cocktail cruiser — albeit one with a penchant for something just a little more wild.

DEALERS