Best Bay Boats Under 25 Feet (2026): 15 Top Bay Boats
If you want one boat that can fish hard in skinny water but still take the family for a comfortable cruise (and the odd run outside the inlet when the forecast behaves), the under-25-foot bay boat class is the sweet spot.
These are the best bay boats in that “do-everything” size range, with practical buying advice, real spec comparisons, and a quick way to shortlist the best bay boats for fishing and family—without pretending every hull is perfect for every job.
What to Look for in Bay Boats Under 25 Feet
“Under 25 feet” sounds simple, until you realise manufacturers and listings may use different measurements: centreline length, hull length, or LOA (length overall) including platforms and brackets. In practice, the “25-foot class” boats you’re shopping often trailer, store, and fish like best small bay boats—even if the brochure LOA nudges past 25 feet.
Here’s what actually matters when you’re choosing the best bay boats for your waters and your crew.
1) Hull shape: ride comfort vs shallow draft
Most top rated bay boats balance a moderate deadrise (often around the mid-teens) with lifting strakes and chines to stay dry and stable. More V typically softens chop, but it can draw more water; flatter hulls float shallower but can slap more when the bay turns ugly. Your “best” choice depends on whether you run open bays daily, or spend most of your time on flats and back creeks.
2) Layout: fishing-first, family-friendly, or truly mixed
For best bay boat for family use, look for forward seating you will actually use (not just a cushion on a hatch), a usable head option (even if it’s a portable inside the console), safe boarding, and shade. For serious angling, prioritise a clean casting deck, smart rod storage, livewell capacity, and deck hardware that won’t eat lines.
3) Practical numbers: fuel, capacity, and trailering reality
Fuel capacity matters because it changes the boat’s “effective range” and how relaxed you feel about detours. Likewise, published passenger capacity (often per NMMA guidelines) can help you sanity-check whether the “family day” plan is realistic.
What to check
Why it matters
Quick “good sign”
Example source
Deadrise & chines
Controls ride softness, spray, and stability at rest
Moderate V with pronounced chines for a drier ride
Saltwater Sportsman discussion of deadrise vs comfort
Fuel capacity
Range, safety margin, and fewer “fuel stops”
~60–80 gal for mixed bay + nearshore use
Robalo 226 Cayman specs list 65 gal
Draft (engine up)
How confidently you can fish shallow water
Low-teens inches for true skinny-water work
Pathfinder 2300 HPS draft published at 12 in
Beam
Stability, interior space, and trailer width considerations
~8’2″–8’6″ feels roomy without being a pain to tow
Everglades 243CC beam published at 8’2″
Bottom line: the best bay boats under 25 feet aren’t “small” in capability. They’re small enough to be manageable—while still big enough to be comfortable, safe, and genuinely versatile.
Top 15 Bay Boats Under 25 Feet for 2026
This list mixes classic bay-boat layouts with a couple of “hybrid” models that blur the line between bay and nearshore. For each, you’ll see what it does well, what to watch out for, and the specs that most affect real-world use.
1. Pathfinder 2300 HPS
If your ideal bay boat is flats-friendly but still feels composed when the bay chops up, the 2300 HPS is an easy shortlist. It’s a strong pick for anglers who want to run shallow, pole quietly, and still have enough hull under them to make longer runs feel normal.
Key specs to know: 23’6″ LOA, 8’4″ beam, 12″ draft, 61 gal fuel, and 15° deadrise.
2. Everglades 243 CC
The 243CC is often described as a “best of both worlds” boat: a family-friendly centre console that can fish shallow water but still leans offshore-capable in build and feel. If you want one hull that can do bay mornings and nearshore afternoons, it fits the brief.
Featured specs include 24’3″ LOA, 8’2″ beam, and 82 gal fuel capacity.
3. NauticStar 215 XTS
For many buyers, the “best” boat is the one you can run hard, rinse off, and not stress about. The 215 XTS is attractive because it’s practical: plenty of fish-focused features in a size that stays manageable for storage and towing.
Look at the published numbers: 21’2″ length, 8’2″ beam, 13.4° deadrise, and 51 gal fuel on the shallow-bay configuration.
4. Sportsman Masters 247 Bay
If you’re after a “big feel” bay boat—more space, more freeboard, more comfort—this is one of the most compelling options. The Masters 247 Bay is an excellent fit for anglers who also do plenty of entertaining and want seating and storage that don’t feel like compromises.
Published specs include 24’4″ length, 8’5″ beam, 71 gal fuel, and 15° deadrise.
5. Robalo 226 Cayman
The 226 Cayman is a classic family-and-fish choice: it’s not trying to be a hardcore tournament skiff, and it’s not pretending to be a pure offshore boat either. The result is a hull that suits mixed-use owners who want comfort, a solid ride, and well-finished details.
Specs that matter: 22’6″ LOA, 8’6″ beam, 65 gal fuel, and 15° deadrise.
6. Tidewater 2410 Bay Max
For a bay boat that feels confident when you’re crossing open water, the 2410 Bay Max is worth a hard look. It has the room and capacity you want for a mixed crew—plus enough hull presence that longer runs don’t feel like a chore.
Published specs list 24’10” centreline length, 9′ beam, 77 gal fuel, and 15° deadrise.
7. Sea Hunt BX 25 FS
This is one of those “25-foot class” bay boats that can stretch the definition on paper, but not in how it fishes. If you want a layout that can swing from family cruising to serious casting, with modern finishing and a confident ride, it’s a strong contender.
Sea Hunt publishes 25’3″ length, 8’6″ beam, 68 gal fuel, and 15° deadrise.
8. Blue Wave 2200 PureBay
The 2200 PureBay has a reputation for being a smart, fishable layout that still rides better than you’d expect for a shallow-focused bay boat. It’s a great pick if your typical day includes a lot of drifting, wading, or trolling-motor work—but you still want the hull to behave when the wind stacks up chop.
Listings commonly show 21’4″ length and 60 gal fuel, and a review notes 16° deadrise at the transom.
9. Skeeter SX240
If you’re the type who runs when others wait, you’ll appreciate why the SX240 gets attention. It’s built to feel more “deep-V bay boat” than “flats skiff”, which can pay off when the bay is sloppy and you still want to travel comfortably.
Useful published figures include 24’1″ overall length, 101″ beam, and 75 gal fuel capacity.
10. Caymas 24 HB
The Caymas 24 HB is a strong example of why “hybrid” layouts keep growing in popularity: you get bay-boat fishability and shallow water intent, but with a more open-water-ready stance and creature comforts that make family days genuinely easy.
Published specs include 23’6″ length, 8’6″ beam, 90 gal fuel, and 15.5° deadrise at the transom.
11. BlackJack 256 Bay
This one is a “borderline on paper, under-25 in the way you shop it” boat. The published overall length is 25’6″, but the centre-line length is 24’6″. If you’re shopping the under-25-foot class because you want more capability without jumping to a full offshore hull, the 256 Bay is built for exactly that buyer.
Specs list 8’6″ beam and 80 gal fuel capacity.
12. Ranger 2360 Bay
The 2360 Bay is a good fit if you want a refined, organised deck plan with enough capacity to feel relaxed when you load up with people and gear. It’s not just about fishing features; it’s about keeping the boat tidy and efficient when you’re moving around with a full crew.
Published specs include 23’5″ length, 102″ beam, and 81 gal fuel capacity.
13. Xpress H22B Bay
Want a bay boat that prioritises lightweight efficiency and simple ownership? The H22B is attractive because it’s much lighter than many comparable glass boats, which can translate into easier towing, easier storage, and punchy performance with sensible power.
A performance bulletin lists 22′ length, 7’11” beam, and 30 gal fuel capacity for the tested setup.
14. Triton 220 LTS
The 220 LTS has long been popular with anglers who want a bay boat that feels predictable, stable, and easy to fish. It’s a straightforward pick if your “best bay boats for fishing and family” definition includes casting space first, with comfort and seating as a close second.
A published performance bulletin lists 22′ length, 8’6″ beam, 66 gal fuel, and 250 hp max.
15. Blazer Bay 2400
The 2400 is a strong choice if you want a roomy cockpit, a shallow-friendly stance, and performance that works for long bay days. It’s especially appealing if your typical use is a mix of “fish hard” and “move people safely” without feeling like you’re in a cramped skiff.
Blazer publishes 23’10” overall length, 8’6″ beam, 76 gal fuel, and 17° deadrise at the transom.
Best Bay Boats Under 25 Feet: Performance Comparison
Specs don’t tell the whole story, but they do help you compare hull “intent”. Use this table to quickly sanity-check size, fuel, and power—then use the scenario picks below to decide which boat best matches how you actually boat.
Model
Published length
Fuel capacity
Max HP
Pathfinder 2300 HPS
23’6″
61 gal
300
Everglades 243CC
24’3″
82 gal
300
NauticStar 215 XTS (Shallow Bay)
21’2″
51 gal
200
Sportsman Masters 247 Bay
24’4″
71 gal
350
Robalo 226 Cayman
22’6″
65 gal
250
Tidewater 2410 Bay Max
24’10” (centreline)
77 gal
300
Sea Hunt BX 25 FS
25’3″
68 gal
350
Blue Wave 2200 PureBay
21’4″
60 gal
250
Skeeter SX240
24’1″
75 gal
300
Caymas 24 HB
23’6″
90 gal
350
BlackJack 256 Bay
25’6″ (24’6″ centreline)
80 gal
450
Ranger 2360 Bay
23’5″
81 gal
300
Xpress H22B Bay
22′
30 gal (tested)
200
Triton 220 LTS
22′
66 gal
250
Blazer Bay 2400
23’10”
76 gal
350
Models With Best Ride Comfort
If ride comfort is your number-one priority (because you often run open bays, big sounds, or wind-driven chop), start with the boats that combine a more substantial footprint with “open-water” intent:
BlackJack 256 Bay for maximum capability in this size class; Everglades 243CC and Caymas 24 HB if you want a hybrid-style boat that doesn’t feel limited to calm-water days; Skeeter SX240 if you like a deeper-V bay boat feel.
Best for Shallow Water
For true shallow water performance, the trick is not just “draft”, but how the hull behaves at low speed, how clean the deck is for poling, and whether the rigging supports shallow-water tools (jack plate, trolling motor, shallow-water anchors).
Shortlist: Pathfinder 2300 HPS for skinny-water capability with a polished build; Blue Wave 2200 PureBay for a shallow-focused bay boat that still carries meaningful deadrise; NauticStar 215 XTS if you want compact practicality and a manageable platform.
Best for Offshore Capability Under 25 feet
Let’s be blunt: any bay boat can get caught out if you gamble with weather. But if you want a bay boat that can sensibly expand your comfort zone, focus on hulls that keep you drier, carry fuel, and have layouts that handle nearshore conditions without drama.
Strong picks: Everglades 243CC (hybrid mission), Caymas 24 HB (hybrid design with big fuel), Sea Hunt BX 25 FS (25-foot class capability), and Ranger 2360 Bay (capacity and organisation).
Best for Saving Energy: Hybrid Bay Boats
In bay-boat terminology, “hybrid” usually means a boat that blends bay-boat shallow water ability with a more offshore-ready attitude—not a hybrid engine. The energy-saving angle is simple: if one boat can cover more of your fishing and family boating, you spend less time (and fuel) running two specialised rigs.
If you want that “one-boat” efficiency, start with Everglades 243CC and Caymas 24 HB. Both are designed to bridge bay and nearshore use, with the fuel capacity and build intent to make longer days easier.
Maintenance Tips for Bay Boats Under 25 Feet
Most owners don’t “neglect” maintenance—they just underestimate how quickly bays and brackish water punish small problems. Use this routine and you’ll prevent the expensive stuff (corrosion, electrical gremlins, stuck pumps) before it starts.
Rinse like you mean it (and do the boring bits)
Rinse the hull, trailer, wheels, and especially the underside fittings after every salt or brackish outing. Don’t forget: livewell pumps, raw-water washdowns, and bilge areas trap salt. A five-minute rinse is fine; a proper rinse that includes hatches, drains, and the trailer saves real money.
Bay boats live and die by pumps, hoses, clamps, and wiring. Once a month in the season, open the bilge, check hose clamps for rust, feel for dampness around fittings, and test every pump (bilge, livewell, washdown). If something sounds weak now, it will fail later—usually at the worst moment.
Modern bay boats often run trolling motors, electronics, jack plates, and shallow-water anchors. That’s a lot of electrical demand. Keep terminals clean, connections tight, and battery trays secure. If your boat has multiple batteries, label them and keep a simple log of replacement dates—future you will thank you.
Maintenance item
How often
What you’re preventing
Notes / source
Outboard freshwater flush
After salt/brackish use
Salt deposits, cooling restriction
Follow your engine maker’s procedure (see owner documentation)
Bilge / livewell pump test
Monthly in season
Failed pumps, flooded bilge, dead live bait
Practical checklist aligned with common owner manuals (example: Skeeter saltwater owner manual)
Once a season, inspect rub rail joins, deck hardware bedding, and any through-hull fittings for weeping. Most leaks start as a failed bead of sealant and turn into rot or wiring damage later. This matters even more on boats that spend time in the sun, where sealants age faster.
Conclusion
The under-25-foot class remains the most versatile bay-boat category because it hits the rare balance of fishability, comfort, storage practicality, and real-world capability. You can trailer it, launch it, maintain it, and still run it with enough confidence to cover serious water.
If you want the “one boat that does it all” experience, choose based on your most common day—then make sure the layout still fits your family plan. That’s how you end up with the best bay boats for your life, not just a popular nameplate.
FAQ
1. Is a 25-foot bay boat good for offshore?
It can be, but only within sensible limits. A 25-foot-class bay boat with more freeboard, enough fuel, and a hull designed for chop can handle nearshore work in good weather. The key is being honest about conditions: bay boats are generally more comfortable inshore, while hybrid-style designs are built to stretch the range of safe days offshore.
2. What size motor is best for a 25-foot bay boat?
It depends on hull weight, load, and how often you run long distances. Many boats in this class are rated around 250–350 hp, with some pushing higher. If you regularly carry a full crew and gear, you’ll appreciate the torque and efficiency of being properly powered rather than “just enough”. Check the manufacturer’s max rating and match it to your typical load, not your lightest day.
3. What size boat is good for the bay?
For most owners, 21–25 feet is the comfort zone: big enough to handle wind chop and carry fuel, small enough to store, trailer, and launch without turning every trip into a project. If you fish very shallow water, lean towards the smaller end; if you cross open water often, the bigger end is usually more comfortable.
4. What is the difference between a hybrid and a bay boat?
In this context, a “hybrid” is a layout and hull concept: it blends bay-boat shallow water ability with more offshore-ready features and attitude. A traditional bay boat is typically more inshore-focused, often with lower sides and a layout optimised for flats and bays, whereas hybrids are designed to broaden the conditions you can comfortably fish.
5. Is aluminium or fibreglass better for a 25-foot bay boat?
Neither is automatically “better”—they’re better at different things. Aluminium often wins on towing weight and simple durability (great if you launch a lot and want low fuss). Fibreglass often wins on ride feel, fit-and-finish, and sound dampening. If you’re chasing maximum efficiency and easy towing, aluminium options like the Xpress can be compelling; if you prioritise ride and refinement, many of the fibreglass hulls shine.
