It’s nice to be on the water knowing you’re prepared for anything: The bow locker is packed with toys; there are beverages icing in the cooler; and the stereo is set to “stun.” Many deckboats satisfy this mission but lack the one element needed to make it complete – a place to stow the fishing rods. A notable exception is the Ebbtide Mystique 2400 Fun Cruiser DC. Its dedicated stowage area in the starboard gunwale accommodates two fishing rods. It’s one example of the smart thinking that went into making the 2400.
Need another? How about stainless-steel grab handles that extend forward along the entire bow seating area? On a boat designed to hold up to 12 people, these guarantee everyone will have something to hold onto when cruising in a chop. Other decks, such as the Rinker 243 Siesta ($30,695 with a 220-hp MerCruiser stern drive), have grabrails that run forward, too. But Ebbtide goes one step farther by putting rails on the 2400’s bow swim platform as well. We wish more builders would do this.
Another similarity the 2400 shares with the 243 Siesta is a protected cockpit. Both sport walkthrough windshields that make cruising more pleasant. Ebbtide outfits the 2400 with a fiberglass walkway door for wind protection, which works better than the curtain on the 243 Siesta. The 2400’s foam coring deadens sound and vibration while adding flotation. Ebbtide builds the 2400 with a grid stringer system made from encapsulated rot-resistant XL plywood. The hull bottom is balsa cored; the deck is a combination of high-density Divinycel foam and balsa coring; and the sides have sprayed-on foam core. On the water, the 2400 performs ably, reaching a top end of 46.6 mph and a cruising speed of 32.6 mph. The 2400’s hull offers 16 degrees of deadrise, typical for a deckboat. It pounds a bit over big wakes but rides nicely in light chop.
There are a couple of nitpicks. The hatch for the bow sole locker takes up so much room that you can’t stand while opening it – you have to sit on the lounge with your feet up. The other is that the enclosed head is carpeted. Ebbtide isn’t the only boat company to put carpet here, but it’s sure to mildew and we’d rather not see it at all. Otherwise, the 2400’s ready for whatever you are.
LAST WORD. A boat that’s equipped to do it all – even fish.
LOA……….23’8″ ** **
Beam……….8’6″ ** **
Draft……….2’8″ ** **
Displacement (lbs., approx.) ……….4,200 ** **
Transom deadrise…..16° ** **
Bridge clearance…..5’0″ ****
Minimum cockpit depth…..2’6″ ****
Max. headroom…..3’10” ****
Fuel capacity (gal.)…..68 ****
Water capacity (gal.)…..3 ****
Price (w/standard power) ……….$33,187 ****
Price (w/test power)…..$34,947 ****
******STANDARD POWER:** Single 220-hp MerCruiser 5.0L Alpha V-8 gasoline stern drive.
OPTIONAL POWER: Single MerCruiser gasoline stern drive to 260 hp or single Volvo Penta gasoline stern drive to 280 hp.
TEST BOAT POWER: Single 240-hp MerCruiser 5.0L EFI Alpha V-8 gasoline stern drive with 305 cid, 3.74″ bore x 3.48″ stroke, swinging a 14 1/2″ x 19″ three-bladed aluminum prop through a 1.47:1 reduction.
STANDARD EQUIPMENT (major items): Bimini top; ss bow and stern swim ladders; ski-tow-eye; Kenwood AM/FM CD player w/transom remote; portable MSD; depthsounder; hourmeter; cockpit table; battery switch, 48-qt. Igloo cooler.
