Boatbuilders have devised ways to incorporate abundant rod stowage on board, keeping a wide array of tackle convenient for access when conditions call for changing tactics. No matter your style of fishing or budget, there is a boat on this list that's built for you. Bay boats are medium-sized, trailerable vessels frequently used for activities such as freshwater and saltwater fishing. Bay boats have flatter hulls, and the gunnels are very low to the water, making it easier to bring fish over the sides and access shallow inshore fishing locations. Larger models in the category offer seaworthiness to handle offshore demands; smaller and midsized hulls are scaled for comfort and efficiency on inshore fishing grounds. Virtually all bay boats are center consoles, because virtually all of them have a steering station on a console in the center of the boat—the defining trait of center console boats.
Invincible is one of the few major boat builders to offer a wide selection of both mono-hull and multi-hull center console fishing boats. They look brutal actually, similar aesthetics to a bulldozer but are very practical from a usability standpoint. It is typically 15-25' in length, and is the fastest growing segment in the center console market. Before bay boats were invented, boaters essentially had a choice between large offshore boats and small flats boats. Common sense, time-tested, and a straightforward approach, combined with dedication to the highest quality construction practices, has earned the 23 Special Edition (SE) from Parker the reputation of strength, simplicity, and seaworthiness. Bay boats have low-slung gunwales, so it's easier to swing fish up over the side of the boat or lean down to take the hook out of fish being released without having to remove them from the water.
Scout 530 LXF S-Class. Beachgoers and anglers can utilize anchoring technology through power poles in addition to bow-mounted trolling motors. Offshore Center Console vs. Bay Boat. No matter where your fish is running, you can walk all the way around the flat deck. Bay Boat vs Center Console, Which is More Expensive? Regulator 26 XO Specifications. They come with many luxury features, although certainly less than a large offshore boat. The walk-in console sports a private head, while folding rear seating and a 45-gallon Yeti cooler make for all-day fun. The flat, raised decks are perfect for casting, fly fishing, and netting your catches. If one head is better than one, are two hulls better than a single? The luxury center-console was born, and the boat console was surrounded by high-end perks. Boston Whaler 240 Dauntless Pro Specifications. Building on what it started, Whaler now produces several series, but the new 380 Outrage takes the next step with a second steering station above the fiberglass hardtop. It's not the greatest design for performance or recreation but it's great for fishing and has been adopted by the general market.
They are also more likely to have a cabin. Nonskid decks help ensure traction and safety in wet conditions and sloppy seas. The step-hull design is combined with the Tidewater bow flare helps create a dry ride and a consistent running angle in both shallow water and offshore. Don't expect every added engine to bring an equal addition of speed. Yellowfin 21 Bay Specifications. A popular model to see this style is the Hewes Redfisher 16. Boat manufacturers around the country have responded to the demand, and today you can find hundreds of outstanding center consoles, ranging from 20 to more than 50 feet in length. The watercraft is lightweight and can be brought to coastal regions or inland lakes and rivers. Breaking the rules, the Boston Whaler placed the controls on a large box in the middle of the boat, leaving not only space both in front and in back, but ample walk-around room on each side. To help boaters navigate through the realities of different boat types, I present this series of articles that reveal some of the not frequently advertised characteristics, in order to help you, the boat buyer, select a boat type that is best for you. In fact I did an article last year about some of the older performance CCs and there are some cool ones. Bay boats typically have a single outboard, whereas center console boats are more likely to have two to four outboards.
When comparing the center console vs bay boat, when budget is in mind, the bay boat is a better option to reduce fuel expense. The low sides also make getting into the water for swimming or diving a breeze. Its main purpose is still fishing in the flats/shallows. To help you decide which style might be the best choice, let's look at seven points of comparison, using two outstanding models from Pursuit Boats — the C 260 Center Console and the DC 265 Dual Console, both based on the same 25-foot-10-inch offshore-capable hull. Robalo R246 Cayman Specifications. Provide security for fighting larger catches. For most of your fishing (if not all), you travel over 25 miles offshore before dropping a hook. Center consoles often have a larger seating area behind the helm—usually wide enough for two people. A draft of 15 inches allows the 270Z to access skinny water. Rod lockers accommodate fly rods up to 9 feet and the console holds up to 16 rods vertically. Offshore fishing on a center console allows me to do more with less. In addition, more boat space also allows for more passengers, and it means better protection from larger waves that are found in the open ocean—waves that might create trouble for other crafts.
Bay boats are designed to get into shallow rivers, mangrove marshes, and tidal planes. As the second largest boat in the Yellowfin fleet, the 42 Offshore offers world-class bluewater fishing capabilities. Yellowfin 26 Hybrid. A custom-ordered fishing machine, each 370z is built to meet the customer's wishes. Back on deck, the low-profile, powder-coated bow rails and pop-up cleats combine with the casting platform/bow seating to make cast-netting live bait a breeze. Available with single or twin outboards, and several livewell configurations, this boat is designed for maximum fishing efficiency. Need a boat that will give you speed, performance, and a comfortable ride, all with a manageable size? This is one step up from the polling skiff, usually is a little longer, and it always has more beam. With a heritage appealing to anglers, there are oversized live bait wells and under-deck fish boxes for storing your catch. What makes them great (wide, dual hull), also limits where you can dock and tow them. Built on a patented double-stepped hull designed by Michael Peters Yacht Design, the V-46 can be powered with quad Mercury's Verado 400s or V-8 450Rs, as well as triple or quad Verado V-12 600 hp outboards.
Enjoy your time on the water. Jim Hendricks, Staff Editor, Boating and Fishing Group. With limited locker space, these items usually get tossed into the center console itself, on top of the head, if the boat comes with one. The unsinkable SeaV2 hull with true self-bailing cockpit, foam floatation, and overboard draining boxes offers unrivaled confidence when heading offshore.
If we do not currently have what you are looking for, give us a call and we will utilize our extensive boating network to help you find your dream bay boat! Tidewater 2300 Carolina Bay Specifications. The offshore dual console was born. So, Which Boat is Right for You? Second, a central helm area gives the skipper an unimpeded 360-degree line of sight to keep tabs on the action no matter where it occurs, and to easily move in and out of the helm area when needed. They have the horsepower and hull shape to get enough speed and wake up to entertain the casual family outing of skiing and tow-behind toys. The 280 Outrage from Boston Whaler offers loads of features and the legendary, unsinkable design for serious saltwater angling and safety. Models with more power can handle motors up to 600 horsepower, while smaller, more efficient utility models may have as little as 60 horsepower engines on them (although the average motor size is 200 HP). Our boats are made with advanced technologies and some of the most sophisticated innovations found on the water.