|
Bay Boats Center
Consoles For Fishing
A small tutorial about
the pros and cons of Bay Boats
Written By Capt. Steven Lamp
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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
|