Tidewater 252 LXF Review

The Tidewater 252 LXF is a center console boat that is equally adept for fishing duties and taking family and friends for a comfortable cruise.

Center consoles continue to grow in popularity as more and more boaters discover the incredible versatility of their design. The new Tidewater 252 LXF has all the fishing features that anyone would need for catching big offshore game fish, along with luxurious enough accommodations to also rate as a first-class day boat for family fun.

That’s clear as you approach the boat at the dock, and can’t help but notice Tidewater’s unique and unmistakable wrap-around bow seating. Where the wrap-around seat in most center consoles spans the very front of the bow to connect a lounge running along each side, the Tidewater 252 LXF connects the starboard-side lounger with the cooler seat mounted on the front face of the console to create a unique, comfortable, living room-style area for quiet conversation. It’s a simple, attractive and useful configuration that adds real value to the boat. Best of all, Tidewater retained a fairly large raised casting pad at the very front of the boat for the anglers in the family.

The unique wrap-around bow seating gives Tidewater’s 252 LXF a distinctive look, while creating an inviting spot for quiet conversations.

The massive seating spaces in the bow also provide an equally massive amount of dry storage space beneath. Lifting the seat cushions provides access to several large gasketed bins, some with drainage which can double as fish boxes.

The wide helm console has plenty of space for electronics. It’s even wide enough to accommodate a small head compartment accessed through a side door.

The center console of the Tidewater 252 LXF is wide and modern, with plenty of space at the helm for large in-dash displays. A compartment accessed through the port side of the console can be used for storage, as a change room, or as a day head with the optional upgrade to a Porta-potti or a full pump-out head. Most buyers will also spring for the optional fiberglass T-top with its integrated electronics box, and enjoy its protection from the mid-day sun.

Tidewater has really done a nice job with the 252 LXF, preserving the boat’s overall fishability while seriously amping up the comfort factor. The helm seat is double-wide with independently operating bolsters, while the entire cockpit is rimmed in soft upholstered coaming. A large, full-width stern bench seat isn’t an add-on as it is with so many other center consoles, but an integral part of the boat’s design right from the start.

The double-wide helm seat has independently operated seat cushion bolsters for added comfort.

A pass-through to the swim platform is located on the port side of that aft bench seat. The platform itself features a polished stainless steel, three-step ladder and a raw water wash-down for convenience.

The big stern seat accommodates extra guests in comfort.

Maximum power for the Tidewater 252 LXF is 400 horsepower, which gives it a top speed of over 50 mph. That’s outstanding performance for a heavy, 24-foot center console. Cutting back to a 300 drops top speed by four or five mph but can save a fair bit of cash and open up one’s engine choices.

More than a pure fishing boat, Tidewater’s new 252 LXF is a terrific entertainer as well.