Best Bay Boats for 2024
Check out the five best bay boats overall and the five best bay boats for the money, for the 2024 model year.
When it comes to fishing the shallows in saltwater venues a bay boat is the ideal angling machine, and the 2024 model year has plenty of red-hot boats to choose from. Which are the best? The answer will be somewhat subjective, but whoever you are and whatever your preferences may be, these 10 best bay boat picks are sure to be attractive options. Let’s take a look at the five best overall, and the five that get you the biggest bang for your buck.
Five Best Bay Boats Overall
Contender 23 Bay
All new for 2024, the Contender 23 Bay is the newest model offered from this long-established builder of hardcore fishing machines. In a nod to prioritizing fishability above all else the forward casting deck maintains its elevation all the way back, rather than being split or dropped to accommodate two-tier forward-facing seats. Highlights include an unusually large 70-gallon insulated fishbox, a similarly oversized 80 gallon fuel capacity, and the ability to run at over 60 mph with a Yamaha F300 on the transom. Also note that like other Contenders this is a highly customizable boat and you can get it rigged with a wide range of options you won’t see on many other bay boats, like freshwater systems and electric reel outlets.
See Contender 23 Bay boats for sale on boats.com.
Everglades 243cc
The Everglades 243cc is far from being new for the model year, but this boat’s epic popularity and cult-like following keep it on the list for 2024. The fore and aft casting decks are a bit trim and the gunwales a bit high compared to other dedicated bay boats, and some might argue this model would be better classified as a hybrid even though Everglades markets is as a dedicated bay boat. That makes it an excellent choice for anglers with kids, who are often troubled by low gunwales and worry a youngster might end up in the drink. Fit and finish is a real stand-out, as is the boat’s construction. The 243cc is made with Everglade’s one-of-a-kind RAMCAP closed-molded process which results in an unsinkable boat with a core of structural foam floatation between the fiberglass hull and deck.
See Everglades 243cc bay boats for sale on boats.com.
Grady-White 231 CE
All new for the 2024 model year, the Grady-White 231 CE is another model some might be tempted to call a hybrid. But its expansive forward casting deck and elevated stern casting platform belie that argument, as does the long list of standard angling accoutrements ideal for the inshore angler: a 25-gallon livewell with full-column inlet, a 70-gallon fishbox, a T-top with four rocket launchers and spreader lights, and a leaning post with four rocket launchers top the list. Unlike many bay boats, however, the 231 CE also has a number of comfort-enhancing features like a 10-gallon freshwater system with transom shower, a head in the console compartment, and bow seating with electrically actuated backrests. If you’re looking for a luxury bay boat, this one should catch your attention.
See Grady-White 231 CE bay boats for sale on boats.com.
Pathfinder 2200 TRS
The original 2200 TRS has long been a favorite in the bay boat community, and for 2024 Pathfinder gave it a completely new redesign from stem to stern. The new version is stretched a few inches longer and gunwale height also increased by an inch, allowing for larger rod boxes, bigger seats, and a roomier cockpit. The aft deck is redesigned as well, shifting from jump seats on the sides to a flip-up centered bench seat flanked by livewell compartments. The 2200 TRS also offers excellent performance, able to get into the mid-50s with a 250 hp outboard and into the mid-40s with just 150 hp.
See Pathfinder 2200 TRS bay boats for sale on boats.com.
Scout 231 XSB
The Scout 231 XSB replaced the 231 XS a couple of years ago, adding to the original boat’s comfort level. The foredeck is a split-level with removable backrests and cushions to turn the lower portion into seating, and the forward console seat is a double-wide lounger with arm rests. A freshwater system, comfy cushions, and a Fusion stereo system round out the family features. This boat also has a unique pole-anchoring ability they call the “Scout Post,” a fiberglass pole that goes directly through the bow to stake the boat in place (Power Poles are also an available option). Along with these unusual touches note that this model, like those big luxury center consoles in the Scout lineup, has a top-shelf fit and finish and many people would agree it’s among the best-looking bay boats around.
See Scout 231 XSB bay boats for sale on boats.com.
Five Best Bay Boats for the Money
Bulls Bay 2000
The Bulls Bay 2000 is a relatively small bay boat at 19’6” long and 8’0” wide, but it has a large forward casting deck and about as big an aft casting deck as you’ll find on a boat of this size. It also costs substantially less than much of the competition. For a relatively low-price boat it delivers a few unexpected features, too, like stainless-steel flush-mount console rodracks (rather than the cheap plastic add-ons seen on many budget-conscious boats), two stock livewells, and rocket launchers on the back of the leaning post. A few must-haves (like the raw water washdown and a backrest for the leaning post) are considered optional, but even after adding these on you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised by the price tag.
See Bulls Bay 2000 bay boats for sale on boats.com.
Carolina Skiff E21 DLX CC
The E21 from Carolina Skiff represents a unique opportunity for bay boat lovers, one which this company offered long ago but hasn’t been available for many years: for 2024, you can get this boat in kit form. That brings pricing down to the bare minimum. Naturally that also takes the boat to the bare minimum; you can get a hull only and customize it as you please, or add on forward decks, aft decks, and center consoles. Everything after that is up to you. Seating, electronics, fishing accessories, and whatever else you might want can be added—or not—as you like when you get the boat or through time as finances allow.
See Carolina Skiff E 21 bay boats for sale on boats.com.
Ranger RB210
The lone aluminum rig in our roundup, the new-for-2024 Ranger RB 210 is a great pick for a budget-conscious angler looking for a rig that’s easy to handle and easy to trailer. Pricing is significantly lower than the vast majority of fiberglass boats the same size, but this rig comes fully featured in a big way including items most builders charge extra for, like a 150 hp powerplant, a tandem axel trailer, a bow-mount Minn Kota Riptide trolling motor, an onboard battery charger, and a Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 fishfinder. Buy this boat, pump some fuel in the tank, and it’ll be ready to fish from day one. Note: for a slight upcharge (around $5,000) you can upgrade the powerplant to 200 horses and still end up paying a whole lot less than most of the competitive fiberglass options.
See Ranger RB210 bay boats for sale on boats.com.
Robalo 266 Cayman SD
The new 2024 Robalo 266 Cayman SD is not an inexpensive boat, but considering what Robalo delivers it does represent tremendous value. Most other bay boats with its size and features will cost an additional 25-percent, and some significantly more. On top of that huge footprint this boat has everything you’d expect from a big, bodacious bay boat, like twin aft 30-gallon livewells plus a livewell in the bow, a hydraulic jack plate, a head in the console, and a stereo system. This model, however, also boasts the unexpected: a half tower with an upper station including full controls, a seat, and rocket launchers up top.
See Robalo 266 Cayman SD bay boats for sale on boats.com.
Sportsman Masters 247OE
The Masters 247OE is Sportsman’s latest edition to their bay boat lineup, initially rolled out the year before last and following the development of their 267OE. These OE versions have a slightly different deck layout as opposed to the other models in the Masters lineup, which incorporates a huge lounger forward of the console. Compare its pricing with that of other boats in the same size range and you’ll find that it undercuts the competition while including big-ticket items that the others charge extra for or in some cases may not even offer. The most important to take note of? The Masters 247OE comes stock with the Seakeeper Ride vessel attitude control system. That, along with that big lounger, comfy seating, and a console head compartment, will keep the entire family comfortable. The included 12” Garmin electronics, dual livewells, nine rocket launchers, and elevated fore and aft casting decks will keep the anglers happy, too.
See Sportsman Masters 247OE bay boats for sale on boats.com.
Bay boats are incredibly popular these days, and there are plenty of other options out there which one could argue qualify as “best.” That said, even if a different boat fits the bill for you, personally, these top 10 bay boats undoubtedly stand out from the crowd.
