Bay Boats

Bay Boats Center Consoles For Fishing

A small tutorial about the pros and cons of Bay Boats
Written By Capt. Steven Lamp

The Bay Boat Revolution

Consider all of the things that are going on in the world these days with the economy and fishing regulations it's not hard to understand why bay boats are the wonder boat for people to turn to. With rising gas prices almost triple what they were two years ago. The cost of boats and motors in general going up because of stricter EPA guidelines and cost of materials based on the rising cost of everything and the dollar losing value every day. Looking at the need of the mass buying market of boaters these days it all makes sense. The bay boat band wagon has started to roll.

Practical and Versatile

There are so many practicalities to the bay boat it is almost ridiculous not to have one no matter where you stand in the financial world of boat buying. It is the Swiss army knife of boats. You can truly do anything with a bay boat.

Offshore

 My dad used to fish and dive offshore in boats from 18 - 24 ft all through the 70's. Now with outboard motor technology, better more reliable bilge pumps, much better fuel economy and incredible affordable electronics there is no reason (weather Permitting) you cannot take the bay boat out there and enjoy. You, like my father will have to keep your eye on the storms but what else is new. Also with the regulations getting tighter and tighter, soon it wont be worth it to go offshore.

Flats

 I have owned many bay boats here at Dream Catcher Charters in Key West. Of course I will tell you mine are the best (because they are) for my needs. But Flats Fishing in a Bay Boat? Yes.... We do it all the time. Our customers love to catch bonefish and permit with us up on the flats with our Yellowfin 24 Bay boats and our 2310 Coastal Bay. Whats more. A guy and his buddy can both fish. There is no need for someone to poll the boat. We use the new SW75 Remote Motorguide trolling motor for our needs and its all good. Permit on fly, bones tailing, then, for tarpon... Well you get the point.

Backcountry

 This is what the bay boat was designed for. There is no boat that can compare here to fishing along the mangroves or working an area for trout, reds, snook or whatever else you may be doing. The best fishing platform there is for this.

Family Day On The Water

There is more room than a flats boat for Mom, and the two kids to come along with the dog and enjoy the day fishing, tubing, teaching the kids to ski, or just boat riding. The sides are generally higher than a flats boat and you wont have to take a loan out to pay for fuel to feed the twin engine center console.

Another family note. Some bay boats have room in the console for a small porta poty. Makes the wife happy...

Trailer and Storage

You wont have to buy a monster truck to get it to the ramp. The family mini van or small SUV will tow and handle a decent sized bay boat just fine. Storage at your local marina will be affordable as well. You may not be able to get it in your garage however they cover up very well with a well built full sized cover.

Economic

A well designed bay boat should get 3.5-6 mpg depending on power and load at cruising speeds. Our Yellowfin 24 bay boats get 4.0 mpg and 4.7 mpg with Mercury 2 stroke and 4 stroke power options. I have heard of better on smaller lighter boats. That just cant be beat for what the boat does.

Lets also look at purchase price. With prices starting in the 20's and going up to the 70's for a fully rigged and pimped out bay boat, there is a bay boat for most anyone's budget. Flats boats are about the same pricing for the ability to do less.

So as you can see. The future holds a golden chair for the bay boat. Both versatile, Economic and owner friendly. As the economy gets worse we will still want to be on the water. Finding the best boat for all worlds will be our goal.

Capt. Steven Lamp     Key West Fishing Dream Catcher Charters