2023 ShearWater 260 Carolina

Step aboard and you’ll notice how the wide bow and generous freeboard give you real confidence when the chop stacks up. The console layout is clean and modern, with everything in easy reach whether you’re running to the reef or easing into a no-wake zone. Seating is cleverly arranged so you can host a crew without everyone climbing over each other, and there’s plenty of dry storage to stash bags, tackle, and water toys. The hull carries its beam well forward, softening the ride and keeping spray down. It’s a rig that feels equally at home creeping along the flats edge or stretching its legs on a longer coastal hop.

In these waters, you need a hull that can shrug off afternoon wind waves yet still float shallow enough for sandbars and nearshore structure. The 260 Carolina’s length and beam give a stable platform for drifting, bottom fishing, or simply rafting up with friends. The elevated helm view helps you read color changes and channel markers when the sun gets low, while the open deck plan makes quick work of casting, gaffing, or loading dive gear. With its offshore-capable stance and inshore-friendly footprint, this model is tailor-made for the mix of bays, inlets, and near-gulf runs that define the local boating scene.