Tidewater Yachts for Sale

Tidewater was founded in 2006 at Lexington, South Carolina by Chris Martin and Jimmy Metts, and it has grown the way a value brand grows: more models, then bigger ones. Five models at the start became 24 by 2018, when the company invested $8.3 million in a second Lexington County facility specifically so it could build the larger boats. The range today runs to more than 30 models from 18 to 38 feet across center consoles, bay boats and the LXF luxury fish series. The boats are foam filled fiberglass, built with what the company describes as South Carolina craftsmen and advanced composite materials, and they are sold through a dealer network rather than factory direct.

On the used market Tidewater is the sensible way into a large center console without paying for a premium badge. Boats from 2018 on are worth seeking out, because that is when the bigger hulls got a plant of their own, and the 28 to 38 footers from that period are the ones that stand up against boats a tier above them on price. Judge them on engines first: these are outboard boats bought as a package, so hours, service history and how much engine warranty is left will move the price more than anything on the boat itself. Then check the usual center console places, deck core around the console and the hardtop legs, the transom and bracket, and the livewell and washdown plumbing. The factory is still running at the same address, so parts, gelcoat matches and dealer support are all there, which is not true of much of what a buyer will be cross shopping at this money.