That old saying, “what goes around comes around,” applies to bay boats. In the early 1970s, most center consoles were 20 to 24 feet with very little deadrise. They were built roomy enough for the whole family destined to stay within sight of land. Once outboard engines became more reliable, anglers wanted to go farther offshore, so boat builders became fixated with getting offshore, hence the expansion of the deep-vee hull even in boats less than 20 feet.

Fast forward to today. With expensive fuel and quality inshore fishing, we’re in the re-birth of the typical 1970s’ center console–a 20- to 24-foot low gunwale boat with very little deadrise at the stern. And when you add some modern-day boat accessories such as jack plates and long shaft trolling motors, you have boats capable of carrying a family of four in less than a foot of water inshore or running offshore on calm days. Center console boat builders are following the shallow thinking public. Now it’s time to pick the right boat, like one that we have featured in the list below.

Featured Bay Boats

Cobia Boats
19ft – 21ft Bay Boats
www.cobiaboats.com
For over 50 years Cobia has been evolving, with improvements that turned it into the ultimate family recreation boat. When Maverick Boat Company, manufacturers of Maverick, Hewes and Pathfinder, the nation’s most respected builder of light tackle fishing boats acquired Cobia, we set out to do more than just maintain that history. We wanted Cobia to become a true fishing boat. So what started out as an evolution of a brand has become a true revolution in boat building. This has resulted in dramatically improved Cobias from stem to stern, with a combination of fishing features and creature comforts that will set the standard for years to come.

Dusky
14ft. – 19ft.
www.dusky.com
Dusky has been building FACTORY DIRECT custom building sport fishing boats since 1966. Every DUSKY is constructed with more hand laid fiberglass than any other boat in its class. Every design is engineered for the sea – handling kindly under demanding conditions. Every boat hull is individually produced by hand to exacting specification. Every DUSKY is manufactured for safety, durability and performance. Dusky’s one-to-one client/builder relationship has created a new, extended family of satisfied owners and skippers ’round the world.

Most Recent FS Boat Review

G3 Boats
16ft. – 20 ft.
www.g3boats.com
At G3, building the best quality, best value fishing and pontoon boats in the marine industry is no accident. As a Yamaha Boat Company, we strive for excellence in all of our research, manufacturing and testing processes. We also believe that a total team approach in ourLebanon, Missouri facility gives us the best opportunity for success.

Nautic Star
www.nauticstar.com
The engineers designers and craftsman at NauticStar are rich in boat building know how. Three generations of hands on experience have lead to knowledge of what will simple work and what will work exceptionally well.

Pathfinder Boats
20ft – 24ft Bay Boats
www.pathfinderboats.com
Pathfinders were conceived on the shallow flats, the back bays and the near shore waters by some of the best saltwater anglers in the world. This environment and those anglers who expect to be successful in it, demand more than just pretty gelcoat, basic livewell systems and inefficient hulls. That is why Pathfinder continues to be the industry standard in bay boats with features that are two steps ahead, like innovative rod storage systems that truly work, advanced livewells with uniform inflow and drainage, and hulls that float shallower, run faster and burn less fuel.

Most Recent FS Boat Review

Other Bay Boats

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