February 23, 2025
By Jeff Weakley, Editor & Ed Killer, Managing Editor
Bay boats reviewed by Florida Sportsman
Skeeter SX221 Skeeter SX221 The 22-foot bayboat remains as close to a Florida do-it-all as the boating industry has given us to date. Skeeter , well-versed in the needs of bay, bass and backwater anglers, offered two of its new SX221 models in Miami, one with a standard 150-hp outboard ($79,420) and one with a 200 ($86,230). Both boat-show prices reflected top-quality tandem-axle trailers (which Skeeter builds), options such as swim platforms and washdowns, and long lists of standard features, from triple 14-gallon livewells to removable windshields.
Valhalla V-28 Bay Valhalla V-28 Bay The Valhalla V-28 Bay was among the “show stoppers” in Miami—gorgeous lines, cool faux teak accents, dash perfectly framing twin 19-inch Garmins, sportfish-inspired teak helm pod with carbon fiber wheel and proprietary jackplate and trim paddles. A few weeks before the Miami Boat Show, Florida Sportsman Editor Jeff Weakley tested this boat out of Palm Beach. Viking/Valhalla, based in New Jersey, hosted media for a tour of its new sales and service facility in Riviera Beach, FL. Twin 300 Mercury power delivered fine performance out of the 18-degree deadrise Stepped-V Ventilated Tunnel hull. The boat may also be delivered with a single V10 400 Mercury or Yamaha XTO 450. Pricing starts at $318,000.
Bay Rider 269 Bay Rider 269 A lot of fishing and family versatility in this solidly built, 16-degree deadrise bay boat from Bay Rider , located in Wilson, NC. If you’re wondering why that geography matters, it’s the venerable KenCraft manufacturing center, under new ownership since 2014. Solid glass hull, 14-inch-wide stringers, above-water deck scuppers: That’s the foundation. We liked the addition of the spacious hardtop with ample grab-points and rod storage. Also, single 450 XTO power made a lot of sense—delivering a handsome 3 mpg at 40 mph and 17-inch draft at rest. The boat is also available in other Yamaha Power-Matched configurations, including twins. Price as shown at Miami Boat Show was $164,000.
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Blackfin 262HB Blackfin 262HB The Blackfin 262 HB Hybrid Bay Boat converts easily from grouper-jigging shallow Gulf waters to plug-casting redfish along oyster bars and mangrove shorelines. The double-stepped Advanced Carbon Fiber Technology hull and Mercury Verado power don’t leave anything behind on speed, performance or fuel economy. Port and starboard aerated 5-gallon pitch wells in the bow and 30-gallon livewells in the stern combined with cleverly designed bait prep stations and tackle storage in the leaning post make this a must-have for serious anglers, while ample cup holders, roomy head and seating configurations make it comfortable for the afternoon sand bar cruise. Miami Boat Show price as shown was $212,000.
Contender 29 Bay Contender 29 Bay Contender’s newest cutting-edge fishing machine has included all the features requested by serious fishermen over the years like Yamaha Helm Master autopilot, second station options, lighting packages, hard or soft T-tops, outlets for electric reels, upgraded livewell options and much, much more. The 29 Bay has a range of 400 miles and doesn’t sacrifice comfort for fishability, featuring Seakeeper technology to add to the smooth ride. Miami Boat Show price was $239,000.
