Best Bay Boat Brands, the Most Popular Fishing Boats on the Market

Bay boats are among the most common fishing boats due to their exceptional inshore capabilities and their overall affordability. And there are a wide swath of bay boats to choose from that we’ll cover as we describe the best bay boat brands on the water today. 

Even though there are many different types and dozens of manufacturers of bay boats, all of the models have some basic characteristics in common. They are usually 18’ to 26’ long and can run and fish in shallow water to reach a wide variety of different spots. Most have layouts that are similar including fore and aft casting decks bracketing a cockpit with a center console, big livewells, and plenty of stowage for gear and equipment. Some are built purely for anglers, some focus on providing amenities for the whole family, and some lean more towards open-water versus shallow-water capabilities or the other way around. As look at these different types of bay boats, make a list of the styles and features that rank high for you, personally, because different anglers have different priorities and needs.

 

 

Standard Center Console Bay Boats

Don’t mistake “standard” for average, as the brands we call out here are anything but. However, there’s such a wide range of bay boats out there that we need to first take a look at those that fit squarely into the traditional definition of the genre. These fishing machines will have the stock-and-trade bay boat features that all shoal-water fishermen demand, like a shallow draft, elevated casting decks, livewells, washdowns, fish boxes, and onboard rod and tackle stowage.

 

Boston Whaler

Boston Whaler’s Dauntless lineup includes just three models, the 220, 250, and 280. However, on top of having all the standard bay boat features these boats have an ace up the sleeve: Boston Whaler’s unsinkable construction. After the hull and deck are laid up they’re put into a steel mold that’s bolted shut, and high-pressure foam is injected between the two. The foam expands and bonds to the fiberglass, creating a single structure. Cut a Dauntless into 100 pieces (banish the thought!) and each and every one will still float. Boston Whaler boats for sale

 

Boston Whaler Dauntless 220. Boston Whaler photo.

 

Pathfinder

Pathfinder is one of the original bay boat builders and remains incredibly popular today. Their lineup also includes hybrids, but the TRS and HPS lines are purebred bay boats through and through. In fact, the 2200 TRS is one of the most popular bay boats of all time. Pathfinder boats for sale

 

Pathfinder 2200 TRS. Pathfinder photo.

 

Scout Boats

Scout is a top-of-line builder in every way, and while the brand is best known for luxury center console fishing boats, Scout also builds a line of bay boats (as well as hybrid bay boats). As with their other offerings, these are known for maintaining a high level of comfort with touches like plush, ergonomic seating, comfortable rides, and extras like extended loungers and freshwater systems. Scout boats for sale

 

Scout 231 XSB. Scout photo.

 

Top Standard Center Console Bay Boat Models

 

Boston Whaler 250 Dauntless

Featuring all of the fishing must-haves, the 205 Dauntless has a 35-gallon livewell, locking rodboxes, and six flush-mount rodholders. The boat also has a mere 1’3” draft. Creature comforts include a huge lounger in front of the console, and forward loungers and pop-up back rests. And it’s built with Boston Whaler’s foam-fiberglass-foam sandwich, resulting in an unsinkable boat. 

 

Contender 26 Bay

Contender may be known more for building offshore deep-V fishing boats than bay boats, but their 26 Bay is primed for shallow-water fishing. It has a relatively svelte console to maximize deck space, comes rigged with a jack plate, and boasts a whopping 52 gallons of live bait capacity split between 40- and 12-gallon livewells.

 

Pathfinder 2300 HPS

Riding on Pathfinder’s High Performance Step hull and constructed with vacuum infusion to minimize weight while maximizing strength, the 2300 HPS is designed and built for top-tier performance. On top of being rigged with all the fishing features you demand, it’ll catapult you to the hotspots at speeds in excess of 60 mph.

 

Ranger 2360

The smallest bay boat in Ranger’s lineup, the 2360 gives anglers a relatively affordable way to get into a serious fishing boat that has most of the features and amenities found on larger, more expensive models. Standout features include a 240-quart integrated fishbox, both fresh and raw water washdowns, and a swing-away tongue trailer with hydraulic surge brakes.

 

Sea Hunt BX 25 FS

For those who like to keep their shrimp away from their shad, the BX 25 FS has two separate livewells - one in the aft casting deck and a second in the leaning post. The boat is also unique in its seating arrangement, with three different flip-up jump seats integrated into the aft deck.

 

Aluminum Bay Boats

While the majority of the bay boats out there are built of fiberglass, you’ll also find plenty of aluminum options. These are an excellent choice for a large subset of anglers thanks to some very specific traits: first, they’re lighter so they’re easier to tow, easier to launch and retrieve on a trailer, and they require smaller powerplants; second, they usually cost less than fiberglass bay boats of the same size; and third, they require less maintenance than fiberglass boats. So people looking for a rig that’s economical and easy to deal with will often go for aluminum..

 

G3

Also called out as one of our best aluminum center console boat brands, G3 has a wider range of aluminum bay boats than most manufacturers, including six models from 17’2” to 22’3”. One unusual trait is that all can be had with fore- and-aft pedestal seats and bow-mount electronics, so they can also be used as crossover boats for bass fishing in fresh or brackish water. Like most aluminum rigs, they can’t offer the convenience of a head compartment inside the center console but they make intelligent use of space with features like integrated tackle stowage, flush vertical rod racks, and additional seating. G3 boats for sale

 

G3 Bay 22 GX. G3 boats photo.

 

Lowe Boats

Lowe offers three aluminum center console bay boats, the 18 Bay, 20 Bay, and 22 Bay. All are rigged for serious fishing with a wide range of accouterments, but perhaps the most critical feature with this brand is the low pricing. They cost literally half as much as some fiberglass competitors of the same size, thanks to the economy of scale enjoyed by this very large aluminum boatbuilder. Lowe boats for sale

 

Lowe Bay 22. Lowe Boats photo.

 

Ranger

Ranger Boats builds both fiberglass and aluminum boats, including three aluminum bay boat models: the RB190, RB200, and the RB210. (There are four bay boats in their fiberglass lineup, from 23’5” to 25’10”.) These all-welded boats are attractive to many anglers because they’re sold at reasonable “No Haggle No Hassle” pricing as complete turnkey boat-motor-trailer packages. Each includes a very long list of standard features including items like fishfinders and electric trolling motors, and these boats are ready to launch and fish just as soon as you fill the fuel tank. Ranger boats for sale

 

Ranger RB200. Ranger Boats photo.

 

Top Aluminum Bay Boat Models

 

G3 Bay 20 GX

Featuring an interior coated in Tuff Coat spray-in liner, the G3 Bay 20 GX also comes with elevated fore-and-aft casting decks, vertical rod racks and tackle stowage on the center console, and a standard Bear aluminum trailer with a detachable tongue.

 

Lowe Bay 22

One of the most affordable bay boats in its size range, the Lowe 22 Bay features a massive forward casting deck integrating four storage compartments and a trolling motor mounting area. It also boasts dual livewells with 46 gallons of total capacity and port and starboard locking rodboxes that can handle rigs up to 7’6”.

 

Ranger RB190

Yes, Ranger makes aluminum bay boats as well as fiberglass models, and the RB190 is their smallest, least-expensive offering. It comes with an aluminum trailer and boasts Rawhide non-skid interior coating, eight-foot rodboxes, and an 80-pound-thrust Minn Kota electric trolling motor on the bow.

 

Hybrid Bay Boats

If you want an angling machine that can handle both inshore and offshore fishing, then a hybrid might be the right choice for you. Hybrid bay boats are generally on the large side for the genre and can be found up to about 30’, but the most popular size is around 26’ to 28’ long. They have slightly higher gunwales, a taller bow, and a deeper V shape to the hull, so they can be run into open waters when the conditions allow. While they need a bit more draft than a standard bay boat, they still require less than a deep-V center console. As a result of the larger size, you have to expect them to be on the more expensive side of the range, but they also tend to have more amenities and seating than the average bay boat. Look to the cockpit and casting decks to see if a specific model tilts more towards inshore or offshore angling. Those with larger cockpits and less elevated decking are generally better for tactics like trolling in blue water, while more raised deck area equates to more space dedicated to casting in the shallows. Some of the best brands on the market today include:

 

Caymas

A relatively new builder, Caymas was started in 2018 by boatbuilding icon Earl Bentz—the brains behind the Triton and Stratos brands, among others. All of the bay boats in the Caymas lineup are hybrids, including three models: the 26 HB, 28 HB, and 281 HB. They’re one of the few brands around to offer a bay boat with twin outboards (the 281 HB). These boats are best known for their exceptional performance, thanks to running on the Stepped Vee Ventilated Tunnel (SVVT) hull. With twin steps feeding an aft tunnel, this unusual design boosts speed and efficiency by around 15 percent over standard-issue hull forms. Caymas boats for sale

 

Caymas 26 HB. Caymas Boats photo.

 

Everglades

Everglades has three bay boats in its stable, the 243cc, 253cc, and 273cc. Most anglers would say the 243cc is a standard bay boat but the 253cc and 273cc are unquestionably designed to handle big water as well as run into skinny water territory. These boats are known for being exceptionally well finished and providing plenty of eye-appeal, as well as thorough equipping and stout construction. Speaking of construction, Everglade’s patented RAMCAP construction pre-molds a high-density foam core that’s bonded with the hull and deck liner to create a single solid structure. Everglades boats for sale

 

Everglades 253CC. Everglades photo.

 

Regulator

Regulator once focused solely on deep-V offshore boats, but tested the bay boat waters with their 26 XO and it proved so popular that they followed it up with the 24 XO and the 30 XO. All are hybrids with a tilt towards handling big waters, have relatively high deadrise, and more of an emphasis on cockpit space than elevated deck space. Like others in the Regulator lineup these boats are known for being built as tough and rugged as any on the water, period. Regulator boats for sale

 

Regulator 30 XO. Regulator photo.

 

Top Hybrid Bay Boat Models

 

Barker 26 Open

Made with vinylester resin and composite coring, the Barker 26 Open comes with a deep cockpit and a minimal aft casting deck, 60 gallons of livewell capacity, bench seating in the transom, and a standard aluminum trailer.

 

Caymas 281 HB

Packed with fishing features, the Caymas 281 HB has large non-skid casting decks, 35-gallon livewells, and abundant storage for tackle and gear. Thanks to the twin engines, it also provides a level of confidence when running offshore.

 

Everglades 253CC

Featuring a 91-square-foot cockpit, the Everglades 253CC has a spacious aft casting deck with two foldaway jump seats, a 69-gallon insulated fish box, a 26-gallon livewell, locking rod storage, and tackle stowage compartments.

 

Pathfinder 2500 Hybrid

The Pathfinder 2500 Hybrid offers an optional upper station, making it incredibly versatile for fisheries ranging from casting for reds to sight fishing for cobia. This is also a vacuum-infused boat, and it can blast to speeds in excess of 60 mph.

 

Regulator 26 XO

At 17 degrees, the Regulator has more transom deadrise than most bay boats, and while this increases draft a bit (to 1’4”) it helps tame the waves and means you can go fishing on windy days when boats with less V in the hull stay at the dock. And as far as fishing features go, the 26 XO is fully outfitted for both inshore and offshore action.

 

Small Bay Boats

When it comes to bay boats, bigger isn’t always better. Anglers who want to access incredibly shallow waters, have small tow vehicles, or are looking for a relatively economical rig will likely opt for a bay boat that’s svelte in nature and under the 21’ mark. For them, these brands are tops.

 

Carolina Skiff

Carolina Skiff builds a huge variety of boats with 24 in a lineup from 15’11” to sizes too large to be considered as “small” bay boats, including a variety of flat and semi-V hulls that all offer minimal draft. These aren’t specifically designed in the traditional bay boat mold and many models can be customized more or less to fit, but they are priced reasonably and very versatile so many anglers choose them when shopping for a bay boat. Carolina Skiff boats for sale

 

Carolina Skiff 17 LS. Carolina Skiff photo.

 

Hewes

Hewes boats are designed for fishing flats and backcountry, and they straddle the line between dedicated flats boats and bay boats. That said, any of their three models, the Redfisher 16, Redfisher 18, or Redfisher 21, will serve well as a small bay boat. These are high-tech fishing machines, too, built with the VARIS vacuum-infused construction method and offering 40-plus mph performance even on the smallest model. Rig the 21 with a F300, and you’ll be seeing speeds in excess of 60 mph. Hewes boats for sale

 

Hewes Redfisher 21. Hewes photo.

 

Mako

Mako builds a line called the Pro Skiffs, which starts with a 13’6” long micro-skiff and tops out at a 19-footer. Rather than utilize a traditional V-hull, these have Mako’s “Inverted V,” which is essentially a mix of tunnel, tri-hull, and cat designs. We called these out in our article on the Best Flats Boats Brands, as they can get into waters so skinny they fare well on the flats, too. Draft throughout the lineup is a mere eight or nine inches, and the unusual hull helps manage choppy waters. Mako boats for sale

 

Mako Pro Skiff 15. Mako photo.

 

Top Small Bay Boat Picks

 

Carolina Skiff J16 JVX

This is among Carolina Skiff’s smallest, simplest offerings but still manages to work in raised fore and aft casting decks, rodholders in the console, and a 12-gallon livewell.

 

Mako Pro Skiff 15 CC

The stock Pro Skiff 15 CC is advertised for less than $20,000 at the time we pulled this roundup together, which makes it the least expensive small bay boat that still has the beef to instill confidence when you need to travel through open waterways. It draws just eight inches and comes with a full selection of integrated fishing features including an eight-gallon livewell.

 

Robalo 206 Cayman

The 206 Cayman is Robalo’s only offering that fits the under-21’ bill for a small bay boat, but it’s a fully featured fishing machine with a huge list of standards that out-shines much of the competition. Plus it’s built stout with a Kevlar-reinforced hull and an unusual five-year component warranty.

 

Affordable Bay Boats

As a rule boats aren’t cheap, but some are more expensive than others—way more expensive. Anglers on a budget will be looking for affordable bay boats that won’t break the bank but still provide all the basic angling accessories fishermen need.

 

Bulls Bay

Bulls Bay has just two bay boats in their lineup, the 200 and the 2200, but both post a list price that undercuts the competition. They have fairly steep deadrise for their class (15 degrees) to smooth out a chop yet still need no more than a foot of water to float. They also have a fairly short list of standards and a long list of optional features, so they can be customized to match each buyer’s tastes. Bulls Bay for sale

 

Bulls Bay 200. Bulls Bay photo.

 

Mako 

Mako shows up here again, thanks to the low pricing that goes along with their small fishing machines. (See above.) Mako boats for sale

 

Mako Pro Skiff 13 CC. Mako photo.

 

Robalo Boats

Robalo Boats earns a spot on this list because they deliver the widest range of some of the most comprehensively well-equipped bay boats at exceptionally reasonable prices. The Cayman lineup includes six models from 20’6” to 26’6”, all of which are delivered in complete boat-motor-trailer packages that are ready to fish from day one. They’re also designed for comfort aboard, and it should also be noted that every model except the very smallest has a head compartment inside of the center console. Robalo boats for sale

 

Robalo 246 Cayman SD. Robalo photo.

 

Top Pick for Affordable Bay Boats

 

Bulls Bay 2200

Measuring 21’ 8” the Bulls Bay 2200 comes equipped with rod lockers, fish boxes, rod holders, livewells, and ample console storage. Added bonus: this is one of the most affordable fiberglass bay boats on the market today.

 

Lowe RX1760

An aluminum option that chops the price tag down to just under $30,000 is the Lowe RX1760, which has a Mercury 65 ELPT on the transom and a full complement of fishing features. This one will be the pick of hunters, since it comes in camo and can do double duty when waterfowl season comes in.

 

Mako Pro Skiff 15 CC

Remember that price tag of under $20,000? You’ll have a very tough time finding a bay boat of just about any size or type for less. And yet it still comes with a 40 hp outboard, a trailer, and the must-have fishing features 

 

Bay Boats for Families

While fishing abilities top the charts for most bay boat owners, those with a family will want to know that everyone’s safe and comfortable aboard. These top picks make it happen.

 

Crevalle

Crevalle offers only three bay boats in 23’6” and 25’6” lengths, all of which qualify as hybrids. They also qualify as family boats, with perks like a head in the console, a swim platform with ladder, and forward seating with removable backrests. The angling armaments are impressive, too, including triple livewells, locking rodboxes, and dedicated stowage for a cast net.

 

Crevalle 26 HBW. Crevalle Boats photo.

 

Grady-White 

Grady-White boats are known for splitting the difference between focusing on fishing and family comfort, and this certainly describes how their Coastal Explorer line is designed. With three boats including the 231, 251, and 281 in the lineup, all have the fishing features expected from a top-shelf bay boat. But all also enjoy perks like head compartments inside the consoles, oodles of comfortable seating, forward console loungers, and shade-providing T-tops. Grady-White boats for sale

 

Grady White 231 CE. Grady White photo.

 

Sportsman

Sportsman boats made our list of the Best Family Boats, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to see them show up here for their Masters line of bay boats. Spanning 22’4” to 26’7”, the Masters series gives anglers everything they want but also takes pains to make sure the entire family is comfortable whether you’re hunting fish or hunting seashells at the beach. We also note that Sportsman makes the buying process easy by offering fully outfitted boats at clearly advertised price-points. Sportsman boats for sale

 

 

Sportsman Masters 267. Sportsman photo.

 

Top Picks for Family Bay Boats

 

Grady-White 281 Coastal Explorer

The largest Grady-White hybrid bay boat, the 281, is rich with family features like a forward console lounger, electrically actuated backrests on the bow seats, and a fold-down side swim platform. Yet it still maintains 100-percent fishability and has all the angling features found on its competitors.

 

Robalo 266 Cayman

The Robalo 266 Cayman has gobs of seating, including two forward loungers with removable backrests, a forward console seat, a leaning post, and double-wide folding bench seat in the aft casting deck. It also has a long list of goodies the kids will love, like a USB charging port at the helm, a wireless cell phone charger, and a Bluetooth stereo system.

 

Scout 251 XSS

Featuring a bow that converts between a casting platform, seating, and a sunpad, the Scout 251 XSS also offers spectacular performance including top-end speeds exceeding the 60-mph mark. Plus, it has a three-sided enclosure at the helm, offering more protection for you and your passengers than most bay boats can. Fishing highlights include livewells under the leaning post and in the aft deck, pre-rigging for a bow-mount electric trolling motor, and a Garmin 943xs chartplotter/fishfinder with a B60 transducer.

 

The universe of bay boats is huge, which may make finding the perfect one for you and your family tough. On the other hand, it also means that the ideal boat for you and yours is almost certainly out there, somewhere. The only question is, are you ready to begin the search? 

 

This article was published in April 2023 and updated in June 2024 by Lenny Rudow.