Fishing Boat Buyer’s Guide

Discover what’s available for a new year and a new season of boating and fishing.

The idea that there is any boat out there that is better than all the rest is simply a myth. There is simply no such thing as the best fishing boat, best family boat, best center console, or best bay boat.

What does exist, however, is a “best boat” for you – for your fishing needs, your cruising needs, your comfort, and your budget. In fact, somewhere among the 60-plus boat manufacturers featured in our 2022 Boat Buyer’s Guide, you’ll probably find more than one “best boat” that can provide many seasons of enjoyment on the water.
 

In 2015, Albemarle and Carolina Classic united to become “Albemarle Boats, The Carolina Classic.” Albemarle builds 25, 30, 32, and 36 Express models, 27 and 31 Dual Consoles, and a 41 Custom Carolina Edition. The new Albemarle 30 Express offers hardcore fishing amenities in a compact express package.
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Bertram is known for making rugged, versatile, comfortable boats. Bertram Yachts’ lineup is made up of luxurious boats for serious fishermen, including center consoles from 28 to 39 feet, a 35 flybridge, 50 express, and 61 convertible.
Learn More About Bertram Yachts

The legend lives on in the new generation of Blackfin, with brand-new models that feature yacht-like, high-end design and innovative construction. With center and dual consoles ranging from 22 to 39 feet, expect classic design and modern conveniences in the Blackfin 302 CC and throughout their entire lineup.
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For 60 years, Boston Whaler has engineered reliable and forward-thinking boats. While their legacy is built upon simple, classic boats under 20 feet in length, improved facilities and technology have allowed for larger, more luxurious boats-including the flagship 420 Outrage.
Learn More About Boston Whaler Boats

For 147 years, Chris-Craft has been building boats with a passion for timeless design, exquisite details, and authentic craftsmanship. Whether you’re seeking a dual-console or a center-console dayboat, Chris-Craft can provide endless, unforgettable adventures.
Learn More About Chris Craft Boats

Explore the Cobia 280 CC Cobia Boats mesh tournament capability, family comfort, and style into a single package. Every model is built to be safe, last a lifetime, and maximize every precious moment away from the dock. Cobia offers a full range of center console and dual console fishing and family-friendly boats.
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The original, legendary Conch 27 was designed in the 1980s as an offshore outboard fishing boat that had great seakeeping abilities, ample live well and fish box capacities, and a hull that that could withstand the toll of commercial abuse. Today, Conch Boats also offers a 30, a 33, and a new 25 bay boat.
Learn More About Conch Boats

Contender’s clean lines and aggressive entry make it a good-looking, comfortable-riding, fast boat. With 35 years of experience, they have built a reputation for building high-quality, durable boats. Contender Boats offers fishing-focused boats in their Bay, Tourney, and Sport series.
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EdgeWater fishing boats are used by serious sportsmen who demand practical features, reliability, and durability. With their proprietary Single Piece Infusion construction, they achieve a strength-to-weight ratio that, when combined with their variable deadrise deep-V hulls, produces remarkable handling and performance.
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Explore the
Grady-White Canyon 336 Grady-White designs and manufactures an extensive lineup of center console, dual console, and cabin boats with innovative designs, exceptional attention to detail, and award-winning performance. The result is a boating experience that inspires unmatched customer satisfaction and camaraderie among those living “The Grady Life.”
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The Hinkley Yachts started in Maine in 1928, building a legacy of beautiful, functional design. Today, Hinckley uses modern technology to build lightweight, composite hulls and decks that are guaranteed for life. The outboard-powered Hinkley Sport Boat 40X offers refined offshore performance and fishing capability.
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From legendary center consoles and yacht tenders to powerful and versatile sport yachts, Intrepid offers customization, luxury, and performance. Every boat is made one at a time to the specifications of the customers.
Intrepid Powerboats

Every Jupiter Marine is individually built to the exacting specifications of the sportsman who demands the very best in offshore performance. Their time-tested and proven deep-V hull design is built for running efficiently through all conditions in comfort, while also offering speed when you want it.
Learn More About Jupiter Marine Boats

Maritime Boats 2090 Skiff Built in New Hampshire, Maritime Boats combines traditional New England looks with modern construction techniques and state-of-the-art design. Maritime founders Paul Hureau and Bev Brown’s original concepts of simplicity, fuel efficiency and continued emphasis on function over form from which created there first skiff in 1991 still guide the company today.
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For over 30 years, Kenneth May has been building outstanding watercraft for both recreational and commercial fishing. While continuously making improvements to their lineup, MayCraft Boats has remained focused on constructing durable boats that perform on the water.
Learn More About MayCraft Boats

Founded in 2002, NauticStar Boats fulfills an individual passion for fishing, family, and fun aboard each finely crafted vessel. NauticStar produces an array of models ranging from 18 to 32 feet, with options that cater to every desire—from tournament and professional fishing to pleasure boating.
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Pathfinders are focused products born to do one thing: put dedicated anglers on fish and do it with comfort and safety. Today. the Pathfinder Boats brand is made up of nine models, each carefully designed for specific inshore and nearshore fishing applications.
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Parker Boats builds boats for “strength, implicity, and seaworthiness” with an efficient hull design that allows them to plane easily and run economically. Parker offers center console, dual console, walkaround, and sport cabin designs.
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In 1988, Regulator Marine reinvented the deep-center-console experience and engineered what is known today as the Legendary Ride. Built in North Carolina and tested against the challenging conditions of the Outer Banks, Regulator boats are seriously tough fishing boats known for their dry, soft, and comfortable ride.
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Release Boats has incorporated fish-ability and function into an attractive package. Their hulls feature hand-laid fiberglass composite construction, foam-filled box-beam stringer grid, and all stainless or bronze through-hulls.
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Explore the Robalo R272 At Robalo, building world class fishing boats is a passion and a way of life. A leader in the marine industry since 1968, Robalo is renowned for its heavy-duty construction, legendary ride and unwavering desire to stay on the cutting edge of innovation.
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Sailfish builds fishing boats, designed by anglers for anglers, to withstand the rigors of inshore and offshore environments and loaded with standard features for fishing enthusiasts. Whether cruising to dinner or fishing the canyons, Sailfish Boats provide a lifestyle worth dreaming of.
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Savannah Boats was founded on the owner’s personal pursuit of his own perfect boat – a hybrid fishing boat that could be an inshore and offshore fishing boat or family boat. Center consoles from 19 to 22 feet feature 100% composite hull construction, V-hull entry, and soft chines for a smooth ride.
Learn More About Savannah Boats

Sea Hunt has become one of the best-selling boats in the country by building quality center consoles and bay boats with a wide range of options and offering them at affordable prices. The Gamefish series has everything serious offshore fishermen demand in a center console.
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Seaway Boats of Milton, New Hampshire builds classic, efficient boats with workboat roots. Classic, head-turning lines combined with modern layouts and composite materials result in traditional designs with sport boat performance.
Learn More About Seaway Boats

Skeeter crossed over to the bay boat market in 1992 and today is a major player, with an SX line of saltwater inshore models. From the back water to blue water, a Skeeter can get you there and back.
Learn More About Skeeter Boats

Southport‘s hulls are designed the maximize the performance and power of modern outboard motors, while using the most cutting edge composite construction methods. The combination of legendary hull performance, beautiful lines, and modern construction make Southport a leader in its class.
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Striper’s hand-built V-Trac hulls with deep, wide bows and self-bailing decks perform with power at speed while delivering nimble control when trolling. Striper Boats builds center console, dual console and walk around boats from 20 to 23 feet.
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Sportsman Boats manufactures a series of center console, dual console, and bay boats with deep forward entries that provide soft and dry rides. The open series ranges from 21 to 35 feet and features angler-driven layouts.
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Tidewater boats have an impressive look, with clean lines and a Carolina flare in the bow, and an even more impressive price range. Their solid feel, dry ride and spacious cockpit will give any captain the confidence needed to take this offshore machine into the battle-tested Northeast waters.
Learn More About Tidewater Boats

From the legendary builder of Viking sportfishing yachts comes Valhalla Boatworks with a line of high-performance center consoles. The patented Stepped-V ventilated tunnel offers a soft, dry and efficient ride. From the V-33 to the V-46, expect big-boat amenities and technology.
Learn More About Valhalla Boatworks

World Cat 400 CC-X World Cat boats deliver a smooth, soft, fast and dry catamaran ride in even the roughest, toughest conditions. Their dual hull designs deliver racecar like performance, and while traditional monohull boats slam you hard when coming down, World Cat’s smooth ride provides better boat control and less abuse on you.
Learn More About World Cat Boats

Started by brothers Bob and Bill Healey in 1964, New Jersey-based Viking Yachts has grown to be a premiere manufacturer of quality convertible yachts, open yachts and motor yachts ranging from 37 to 92 feet.
Learn More About Viking Yachts

More than 50 years of boatbuilding expertise makes Wellcraft Boats the landing place for fun, fishing, family time, and more. You can find a Wellcraft to handle every type of fishing in the Northeast, from trolling Lake Ontario for salmon to heading offshore for tuna.
Learn More About Wellcraft Boats

Yellowfin Boats’s philosophy is to offer serious fishermen the best fishing boats money can buy by using high-quality materials and the best construction methods regardless of cost. They build skiffs, bay boats, and center consoles to 54 feet.
Learn More About Yellowfin Boats

This article was originally published by Onthewater.com. Read the original article here.