Boating News
Bayboats' Big Splash-Versatility fuels craft's popularity
By Joe Julavits, [email protected]
They have been called the water-borne version of the SUV, and rightly so. Bayboats are versatile, family-friendly and wildly popular.
Just about every builder has at least one bayboat in its line, and many are on display at the 55th annual Boat-a-Rama show that continues through 6 p.m. today at the Prime Osborn Convention Center.
"Bayboats seem to be the hottest thing going for the last four or five years," said Catfish Lewis of Bass Pro Shops/Outhouse Marine. "It's the compromise boat."
It may be easier to describe what a bayboat isn't than what it is. It's not a flats boat, although most draft shallow enough to float in relatively skinny water. It's not a center-console offshore boat, although many carry enough freeboard and "V" in the bow to perform light-duty ocean work. It's not a runabout, although it can function as one.
"They handle everything from waterskiing with the family on a lake to tarpon fishing on the beach to fishing the creeks for reds," said Andy Smith of Cap's Marine.
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