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Bay Boats at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show

Not to be overlooked at this show known for big boats, a number of enticing bay boats and flats skiffs were spread around the convention center show floor.

While the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is known for its big (sometimes very big, as in mega-big) yachts, docked at the Bahia Mar, those who attended the show wanting to see bay boats and skiffs weren’t disappointed. The convention center housed a sprinkling of these inshore/nearshore fishing boats. Here’s a look at nine of them.

SeaVee 270Z

A generous foredeck offers a great, open casting platform for calm waters. The 270Z is 27 feet long with a 9-foot, 1-inch beam, weighing 3,000 pounds. With 17 degrees of deadrise, it has the size and configuration to take on the heaviest bay chop or head offshore.

Bay boats at 2016 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
SeaVee 270Z Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

A view of the boat’s interesting integrated bracket, which allows the engine to be mounted higher. Also unusual for most bay boats, the 270 has a twin-stepped hull.

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Bay boats at 2016 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
SeaVee 270Z Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Wellcraft 221 and 241 Fisherman

The 221, foreground, drafts 14 inches with engine up. That engine can be up to a 250 hp. The boat, which weighs 3400 pounds, has a 15-degree deadrise.

Bay boats at 2016 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
Wellcraft 221 and 241 Fisherman Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

While the GoPro Hero5’s wide-angle perspective of the previous image makes for an interesting shot, this shot offers a better idea of the boats’ hull shape.

Bay boats at 2016 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
Wellcraft 221 and 241 Fisherman Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Barker Boatworks 26 Calibogue Bay

This Barker Boatworks 26 Calibogue Bay shows its striking lines. The 25-6 boat sports a 9-3 beam, the hull drafting only 14 inches but offering 18 degrees of deadrise. The 4,500-pound, 100-percent vinyl ester/composite-cored hull can take up to a Seven Marine 627 outboard.

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Bay boats at 2016 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
Barker Boatworks 26 Calibogue Bay Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

The generous console has loads of space for storage.

Bay boats at 2016 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
Barker Boatworks 26 Calibogue Bay Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Jupiter Marine 25 Bay

Jupiter Marine​’s new bay boat sports a modest 14-inch draft but offers rough-water capability. With a maximum 300 hp, look for speeds up to 55 mpg.

Jupiter Marine 25-foot bay
Jupiter Marine 25-foot bay Jim Hendricks / Sport Fishing Magazine

The Jupiter Bay has somewhat higher gunwales than traditional bay boats to augment its performance in heavier seas.

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Jupiter Marine fishing bay boat
Jupiter Marine 25-foot bay Jim Hendricks / Sport Fishing Magazine

Yellowfin 26 Hybrid

This 26-footer (8-8 beam) drafts 16 inches. It weighs 5,000 pounds with up to 400 hp and options include a second-station T-top.

Bay boats at 2016 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
Yellowfin 26 Hybrid Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Aft seating offers a comfortable spot for three; when not in use, the seat back folds down for a flush deck extension. Several leaning-post configurations are available including the rocket-launcher version shown.

Bay boats at 2016 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
Yellowfin 26 Hybrid Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Sea Hunt BX 24 BR

This 24 ½-footer, with an 8-7 beam, weighs in at 2,700 pounds and is good for up to 300 hp. Its 50-degree entry deadrise flattens to a moderate 15 at the transom. Draft is 15 inches.

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Bay boats at 2016 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
Sea Hunt BX 24 BR Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Robalo 246 Cayman

A wide forward casting deck offers plenty of elbow room on the relatively beamy 24 ½-foot Cayman. The 3,700-pounder is rated for 300 horses. Its 16-degree-deadrise hull is rated at 12 inches draft.

Bay boats at 2016 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
Robalo 246 Cayman Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Hell’s Bay Professional

Touted by the manufacturer as a particularly versatile flats skiff, the 17 ½-foot Professional drafts 4.5 inches with engine and fuel. With a beam just under 6 feet, it’s rated for up to 90 hp. The hull weighs in at a modest 550 pounds.

Bay boats at 2016 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
Hell’s Bay Professional Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Avenger AV26

Built in South Carolina, this 26-foot bay boat with 15 degree of deadrise drafts 16 inches. It weighs 3,100 pounds and is rated for up to 400 hp.

Bay boats at 2016 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
Avenger AV26 Doug Olander / Sport Fishing
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