Bay Craft Boats Review

Florida-based Bay Craft Inc. has been around for 24 years, since owner Pete Lopez started the company. It currently makes four models of shallow water flat boats.

The company is family-owned, and it emphasizes the quality of its work, from its non-skid decks to its stainless steel hardware and oval livewells. All of the boats are made with 100 percent composite material, meaning there is no wood to rot.

Bay Craft boats are built in a uniform design for stability and strength. The stringer system has molded foam that is filled and glassed in, while the transoms are made with foam fiber, and the deck, cockpit liner, and fish boxes are molded together to have a one-piece feel. Even the decks and hulls are fused together.

Pricing

New boats start near $18,000 and range up to $35,000, depending on the model and options. Used models can be found from roughly $6,000 to $20,000.

Pros

• Bay Craft Inc. has a good track record of 24 years.
• Bay Craft focuses on helping both experienced fishermen and first-time boat owners.
• The boats have several conveniences, including oval livewells, built-in coolers, and bench seats that flip upward.

Cons

• Bay Craft boats are relatively expensive for basic shallow-water fishing boats.
• The boats may not be large enough for some fishermen’s preferences.

Featured Models

Bay Craft products include the 175 Flats Edition, 180 Flats Edition, 185 Flats Edition and Tunnel 180 Explorer. The 185 Flats Edition is the biggest — it weighs 950 pounds, is 18.5 feet long, and it has a fuel capacity of 40 gallons.

Conclusion

In its quest to provide safety and practicality, Bay Craft didn’t forget about comfort and those little aspects that most boat riders enjoy. The way the boat is designed, water is pushed away from the hull to keep the water off the riders. And the boats come with conveniences such as aerated oval livewells, built-in-coolers and bench seats that flip upward. Anyone looking for a basic freshwater fishing boat should see if the company’s offerings fit his or her needs.