We are going to review the best bay boats of 2024. We are not going to rank them because there are so many different requirements when looking for a bay boat. For example, a boat buyer might want to focus on fishing only features, while another might want the versatility for family activities.
When a boater is looking for a bay boat, you may notice that some of the manufacturers or models have design resemblances to small center consoles. Many manufactures are building bay boats with a “hybrid” design which allows boat buyers to enjoy additional features such as forward seating and t-top configurations. Bay boats are designed to run on open bays and on calm days, drive through an inlet and even head out to the open sea on calm days.
About Bay Boats
Bay boats are very versatile boats. Bay boats can be fished inshore in fairly shallow but can also allow anglers to go offshore for gamefish. Now keep in mind, when we say “offshore”, we don’t mean 20 miles out in 4-to-5 foot seas, although some experienced anglers may disagree. Bay boats typically range from 19 feet to about 27 feet. We compiled some of the best bay boat manufactures and models. The bay boats below are in no particular rank or order.
Top Bay Boats Manufacturers
- Boston Whaler Boats – 240 Dauntless Pro
- Pathfinder Boats – 2500 Hybrid
- Barker Boatworks Boats – Barker 26 Open
- Tide Water Bay Boats
- Contender Boats – 25 Bay
- Caymas Boats – 28 HB
- Everglades Boats – 25cc
- Yellowfin Boats – 21 Bay
1. Boston Whaler 240 Dauntless Pro
The Boston Whaler 240 Dauntless Pro is a great bay boat and is designed for serious inshore and even offshore fishing. I love the large casting deck on the Dauntless, and the boat feels more spacious than 24 feet because of the design and openness of the vessel. If you’re with the family, the casting deck can also convert to twin loungers. The 240 Dauntless is a great fishing and family boat.
The Boston Whaler 240 Dauntless Pro also comes with a half-tower with a nice second station which is not typical on bay boats. I think the only other bay boats with this configuration option may be from Barker Boatworks and Pathfinder bay boats.
Lastly, it is made by the legend and “unsinkable” Boston Whaler, so you’ll know the 240 Dauntless is constructed with the best materials and quality.
Scores ( 10 being best)
Fishing – 9
Performance/Ride = 9
Fine Touches / Amenities = 10
View Boston Whaler bay boats for sale on Boatzon
Check out Boston Whaler’s website
2. Pathfinder Bay Boats
Pathfinder Boats makes and specializes in a few different models and lengths of bay boats, but we are going to talk today on the Pathfinder 2500 Hybrid. This is a fishing machine with a large forward casting deck and open cockpit. The Pathfinder 2500 Hybrid is a very versatile boat and I have even trolled offshore with good room in the stern of the boat.
The Pathfinder 2500 Hybrid also comes with a half-tower with a nice second station and very comfortable for sight fishing. This boat is a well constructed boat, has a very sturdy 8’6’’ beam, and can rest in only 13 inches of water.
Scores ( 10 being best)
Fishing – 10
Performance/Ride = 9
Fine Touches / Amenities = 8
View Pathfinder bay boats for sale on Boatzon
Check out Pathfinder boats website
3. Barker Boatworks Boats
There are a lot of great bay boats and manufactures, but my favorite comes from Barker Boatworks. The new boater might not be very aware of Barker Boatworks, but they make fishing machines, particularly the Barker 26 Open. Not without controversy however, this boat is put in the “hybrid bay boat category”. At a glance, the Barker 26 Open does look like a small center console.
I have driven this boat, and the Barker 26 Open is a very sturdy drive, even offshore. Keep in mind, this boat has 9’3’’ inch beam, which is not very common among other bay boats. You typically see bay boats in the 8-foot beam range. The Barker 26 Open also has a draft of 14 inches, which allows you to fish in surprisingly shallow waters. But it is also designed to run offshore.
The Barker 26 Open has two livewells, a 45 gallon in the leaning post and a 15-gallon livewell in the bow, which is very convenient. The Barker 26 open bay boat also comes with a half-tower with a nice second station which is nice when you’re chasing gamefish.
Scores ( 10 being best)
Fishing – 10
Performance/Ride = 10
Fine Touches / Amenities = 10
View Barker Boatworks bay boats for sale on Boatzon
Check out Barker Boatworks boats website
4. Tidewater Boats
Tidewater was established in 2006 in South Carolina and produces high quality bay boats at affordable prices. Tidewater boats has bay boat models ranging from 19 feet, up to 25 feet in length.
At an affordable price, the Tidewater 2210 Carolina Bay model is a well-designed bay boat designed for fishing and family activities. I like the large casting deck, as well as the two large livewells on this boat. The Tidewater 2210 has very reasonable starting price at $58,500.
The Tidewater 25 TPC Raptor is a fishing machine with some nice customization options. The 25 TPC Raptor has an option for a custom T-Top with a built-in casting platform. I think this is the first time I’ve seen this type of setup. It also has a nice size beam at 8’ 6’’ which provides a solid ride. The Tidewater 25 TPC Raptor is a little pricier starting at $89,310.
Scores ( 10 being best)
Fishing – 10
Performance/Ride = 9
Fine Touches / Amenities = 8
View Tidewater bay boats for sale on Boatzon
Check out Tidewater boats website
5. Contender Boats – 25 Bay
Contender boats are typically known for their legendary center console boats, but they also manufacture a 25-foot bay boat. The Contender 25 Bay is a perfect boat for cruising and fishing inshore in the bay, but it is also versatile to fish offshore on a calm day. You can even add an option for electric reels.
The Contender 25 Bay has a beam of 8’ 6” and an impressive 12” draft. I consider the 25 Bay a luxury bay boat and it has great options for such as forward seating configurations for family activities as well. If you configure your Contender 25 Bay with a T-Top, your friends will compliment your new center console boat as well!
Scores ( 10 being best)
Fishing – 10
Performance/Ride = 10
Fine Touches / Amenities = 10
View Contender bay boats for sale on Boatzon
Check out Contender boats website
6. Caymas Boats – 25 HB
The Caymas 25 HB checks off all the check boxes for the serious fisherman and for family fun. This might be my favorite bay boat. Let me start by saying, the 25 HB has a 9-foot beam, which it makes is a very sturdy and comfortable ride. The Caymas 25 HB is also known for performance with Michael Peters patented stepped-vee tunnel hull design.
If you are looking for a great cruising bay boat for the family, as well as a great boat for inshore and offshore fishing on calm days…the Caymas 25 HB has to be on your list to check out.
Scores ( 10 being best)
Fishing – 10
Performance/Ride = 10
Fine Touches / Amenities = 10
View Caymas Boats bay boats for sale on Boatzon
Check out the Caymas boats website
7. Everglades Boats – 253 CC
Everglades is known for superior craftmanship and manufacturing of center consoles and bay boats. In fact, I think a couple of their bay boats can be considered a hybrid bay boat and center console.
The Everglades 253cc bay boat is a new, completely redesigned bay and offshore boat perfect for fishing and family activities. Once you get into this 253cc, you’ll really feel the center console influences. This boat also comes with very comfortable forward seating. The Everglades 253cc has a 8’ 6” beam and a draft of only 16’’.
The Everglades 253cc is a very versatile boat if you’re looking to fish inshore, offshore on calm days, or just relax with the family cruising.
Scores ( 10 being best)
Fishing – 9
Performance/Ride = 9
Fine Touches / Amenities = 9
View Everglades bay boats for sale on Boatzon
Check out Everglades boats website
8. Yellowfin Boats – 21 Bay
Known for their beautiful lines and legendary center consoles, Yellowfin also manufactures a 21 Bay model and a 21 Hybrid model. The 21 Hybrid model is a bit more orientated for flats fishing, where the 21 Bay model has a conventional bay boat layout and feel. A little smaller than the Contender 25 Bay, but both boats have superior craftmanship.
The Yellowfin 21 Bay has a beam of 7’ 9”, a fuel compacity of 50 gallons, and a 13” draft. I’ve fished on a Yellowfin 21 Bay and I really liked the spacious three live well setup. This boat is quick too, you’ll blast out the hole and streak to your fishing destination easily in the 50-mph range. The Yellowfin 21 Bay has less family features and it meant to have plenty of wide open spacing for big time fishing.
Scores ( 10 being best)
Fishing – 10
Performance/Ride = 9
Fine Touches / Amenities = 9
