Buying a Bay Boat vs. Offshore Boat

News / 2:47 pm / by Manny

10553619_338057643031993_1704180793757459290_nThese days, buying a boat can be a daunting task. There are hundreds of quality boats to choose from, but where do you start?

When shopping for a boat, you must first determine what you’ll being doing when you’re on the boat – let’s say 90 percent of the time. Will you be cruising, spending the weekend at the sandbar, fishing in the bay, fishing the flats or fishing offshore at least 90 percent of the time on the water?

Ideally, we’d all like to buy a boat that can “do it all.” It sure sounds nice but every boat design has its strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, you need to decide what you want your boat to do before you spend your hard-earned money.

10616665_338057676365323_4428503993908368993_nThe bay boat revolution has taken hold in areas like South Florida because, in theory, bay boats enjoy the economy of a single engine and a hull that can gets into about 12 to 14 inches of water without much concern. Bay boats are also well-suited for inshore pursuits such spending the day at the sandbar by using a power pole to anchor down rather than throwing a traditional anchor overboard.

But what about those days when you want to go offshore?

Are you prepared to limit yourself to calm days to use your boat? Even in a 2-3 foot chop, bay boats are going to slap as they come off a wave since bay boats boast little to no transom dead rise (flat in the stern). What about when Sailfish season approaches? Some of the best sailfishing conditions are immediately following brisk cold fronts that include gusty winds rough marine conditions. Heading offshore in a bay boat will not be comfortable and likely not even safe.

mannyWhile a bay boat may sound like a reasonable compromise, it cannot deliver the design benefits that a full-gunnel, deep “V” boat can without “breaking a sweat.” For those seeking a true “Do-It-All” boat with efficiency being a primary concern, a single engine deep V is the best “bang for your buck. “

That is why our Competition 22 and 25 are designed and built to give you maximum flexibility on the water without sacrificing safety, comfort and “fishability.” While our Competition 22 and 25 can’t get as shallow as a flats or bay boat, we can do just about everything.  How often do you find yourself in less than 12 inches of water anyway?

If you want to chase tarpon down the beach, you can be assured that you will be able to easily cast a mullet or crab in 3-5 foot waves, while you are braced up against the 3 piece hull design gunnels.

Notice his knees up against the padding and his feet under the gunnels.

Notice his knees up against the padding and his feet under the gunnels.

After you catch a tarpon, go ahead and make a few throws of your cast net and load the boat with scores of pilchards (you’ll have plenty of live well space).  Work your way out to the edge for sailfish or dolphin and do so very efficiently while gently coming down wave faces or swells.  After fishing the morning away, you can go cruise over to the Sandbar and spend time with your family and friends while enjoying a beautiful sunny South Florida day.

Before heading home, you can go catch a blackfin tuna and have some fresh sashimi for dinner while watching the sun go down over the city.

If you are looking to purchase a new boat, take the time to consider how you intend to utilize your new boat. Many of our customers are former bay boat owners who “graduated” to a new Competition after taking too many beatings trying to get offshore to pursue big game.

sliderAs a semi-custom boat builder, we can build out the boat that fits you, not a “one size fits all” boat.  We don’t have dealers and all boats are sold and built here are the factory to your specs.

Give us a call and let us know when you’re ready to Take Out The Competition!