2017 ShearWater 270 Carolina Flare

What really stands out on this 270 Carolina Flare is the way the hull carries forward—big, proud bow flare that keeps spray out of the cockpit when it kicks up. The wide beam gives you a surprisingly stable platform at drift, so you’re not dancing around the deck when everyone’s working lines. The console layout leaves a clear path bow to stern, and the forward seating converts from a lounging space to a casting deck in a few snaps. Details like finished hatches, quality hardware, and a clean bilge access tell you this rig was built with serious owners in mind, not just showroom looks.

In this part of the coast, you need a hull that can play both sides: shallow enough for inshore edges, yet confident when you point her offshore. The 270 Carolina Flare’s draft and deadrise strike that balance nicely, letting you work bays, passes, and nearshore structure without feeling boxed in. Afternoon winds and short, stacked chop are common here, and that pronounced flare helps knock down spray and soften the ride. With generous fuel capacity and efficient power, you can comfortably stretch to reefs or wrecks, then slide back into protected water for a relaxed cruise or sandbar stop at day’s end.