2026 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 boat manufacturers featured in our 2026 Boat Buyer’s Guide, you’ll probably find more than one “best boat” that can provide many seasons of enjoyment on the water.
 

Carolina Skiff

Carolina Skiff boats are known for being durable, versatile, and economical—delivering strong value for boaters who want to do a little bit of everything. With a lineup of more than two dozen models ranging from compact skiffs to boats over 26 feet, there’s a size and style to match just about any need. For Northeast anglers, this means options that excel in shallow bays, tidal rivers, and backwater creeks, as well as larger models with the capability for bigger water runs.

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Caymas Boats

Explore the Caymas 44 CT

Caymas Boats, founded by legendary boatbuilder Earl Bentz, has earned a reputation for designing high-performance fishing platforms that balance speed, stability, and comfort. The new Caymas 44 CT (catamaran) is equally at home chasing striped bass inshore as it is running offshore for tuna. Its twin-hull design delivers a stable, dry ride in the chop, while quad-engine power options up to 1,800 hp ensure you’ll get to the grounds quickly. With a wide beam, expansive cockpit, and thoughtful amenities, the 44 CT blends serious fishability with the comfort needed for long days and overnight canyon runs.

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Cobia Boats

Explore the Cobia 305 CC

Cobia Boats has built its name on versatile center consoles that balance fishing performance with family comfort, and the 305 is no exception. At 30 feet, it’s the sweet spot for Northeast boaters who want to jig fluke in the bay one day and run offshore for tuna the next. With a wide beam, deep cockpit, and plenty of seating, the 305 offers both security and comfort, while twin-engine power delivers the speed and range to confidently reach distant grounds.

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Contender Boats

Contender has built its reputation on serious, no-nonsense fishing machines designed for speed, range, and reliability. With a lineup from bay boats to offshore tournament center consoles over 40 feet, they are known for clean lines, aggressive entry, and a dry ride in rough seas. Popular with Northeast anglers, Contender boats offer performance that keeps you fishing longer and harder.

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Eastern Boat Works

Explore the Eastern 27 Islander

Eastern Boats, built in New Hampshire, have long been favored by Northeast boaters for their classic downeast looks, efficient performance, and seaworthy ride. The 27’ Islander carries that tradition forward, offering a semi-displacement hull that’s just as comfortable trolling along a rip for bass and blues as it is cruising with family on a Sunday afternoon. Its roomy cabin, economical fuel burn, and timeless lines will appeal to those who want a capable fishing boat that also shines as a coastal cruiser.

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Everglades Boats

Explore the Everglades 367 CX

Everglades is known for building rugged, offshore-capable boats with premium finishes, and the 367 CX takes that reputation into new territory. As a true crossover, it blends the fishability of a tournament-ready center console with the comfort and protection of a cabin cruiser. For Northeast anglers, it’s a boat that can charge offshore for tuna when the weather allows, yet still deliver a comfortable ride for family cruising or overnight trips.

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Formula Boats

Explore the Formula 387 CC Fish

Formula Boats is known for performance and craftsmanship, and the 387 Center Console Fish takes that pedigree into the fishing world with a big-water center console designed for versatility. Built with offshore runs in mind, it boasts the speed, range, and comfort to make tuna trips a reality, while its clever deck layout makes it equally capable for inshore fishing or family cruising. With options for triple or twin Mercury outboards, the 387 CC blends luxury, performance, and fishability in a package Northeast boaters will appreciate from the Chesapeake to the Gulf of Maine.

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Grady-White Boats

Explore the Grady-White Canyon 326

The Grady-White Canyon 326 is a standout center console that seamlessly blends offshore fishing performance with comfort features, making it equally inviting for family days on the water. Built on Grady-White’s exclusive SeaV²® hull, it delivers a smooth and confident ride offshore, even in tough conditions. For anglers, the 38-gallon livewell, expansive rigging station, and oversized transom fish box provide serious capability, while three deluxe helm chairs ensure comfort on long runs. At the same time, plush bow seating, a spacious console with stand-up head and sink, and a full-height glass windshield highlight the Canyon 326’s family-friendly side.

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HCB Yachts

HCB produces some of the largest and most luxurious center consoles on the water, blending tournament-level fishability with yacht-class comfort. Ranging from 39 to over 65 feet, these boats feature massive cockpits, premium finishes, and quad or quint outboard power. For Northeast anglers, HCB offers the ultimate platform for long offshore runs to the tuna grounds, while still providing the amenities of a luxury cruiser for family entertaining and extended trips.

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Hewes

Hewes has long been considered the original flats boat builder, pioneering shallow-water skiffs that are tough, reliable, and designed for sight fishing. Their lineup focuses on light, efficient hulls with shallow draft and clean layouts that appeal to anglers targeting stripers, redfish, and other inshore species. Hewes offers a specialized platform for exploring tidal flats, back bays, and shallow rivers where stealth and fishability matter most.

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Jones Brothers Marine

Jones Brothers builds tough, seaworthy boats that have earned a loyal following among light-tackle anglers and professional guides. Designed with big-water conditions in mind, their hulls feature ample flare and freeboard to deliver a safe and dry ride when the wind picks up. Configured specifically for fishermen, these boats feature wide-open decks, simple yet functional layouts, and efficient performance that makes them economical to run all day.

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Key West Boats

Key West builds boats for fishermen who value both quality and affordability, offering dependable performance without unnecessary frills. Their lineup of bay boats, center consoles, and dual consoles from 17 to 29 feet provides options for a wide range of anglers and families. Known for solid construction, efficient hulls, and smart layouts, Key West boats strike a balance between fishability, comfort, and value that makes time on the water more accessible.

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Maritime Boats

Maritime Boats, built in New Hampshire, are known for their simple, rugged designs that emphasize safety, efficiency, and versatility. With models ranging from skiffs to center consoles, all built with wide beams, deep cockpits, and unsinkable construction, Maritime delivers practical boats that can handle Northeast waters. They are favorites among anglers who want reliable, economical boats for chasing stripers inshore or venturing offshore when the weather allows.

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Parker Boats

Parker Boats, built in North Carolina, have earned a reputation for strength, simplicity, and durability. Their pilot houses, center consoles, and sport cabins are designed for anglers who demand no-nonsense boats that can take a beating and keep running. With wide beams, heavy-duty construction, and practical layouts, Parkers are especially popular in the Northeast, where fishermen rely on their stability, fuel efficiency, and safe ride.

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Pursuit Boats

Explore the Pursuit S388

Pursuit has a reputation for building refined, offshore-capable center consoles, and the S388 is a standout in their Sport lineup. It’s a serious fishing platform with abundant livewell capacity, a wide cockpit, and plenty of rod storage, yet it also delivers the premium comfort and finish that make it equally at home as a family day boat. For Northeast boaters, it’s a versatile choice—comfortable for coastal cruising and powerful enough for canyon runs.

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Robalo Boats

Explore the Robalo R257

The Robalo R257 is a versatile dual console that blends serious fishing capability with the comfort features families appreciate. Built on a deep-V hull, it offers a stable, dry ride whether you’re chasing stripers along the rips, running offshore for tuna, or spending the day cruising. Anglers will appreciate the 25-gallon livewell, large insulated fishboxes, and plenty of rod storage, while the roomy cockpit and plush bow seating make it just as comfortable for family outings. Add in a spacious enclosed head, a wide helm with ample electronics space, and a standard hardtop, and the R257 is ready for both fishing and fun.

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Sailfish Boats

Sailfish builds versatile center consoles and dual consoles designed for anglers who want offshore performance along with family-friendly comfort. Their Variable Degree Stepped hull delivers a smooth, dry ride in rough seas, while fishing layouts include livewells, insulated boxes, and ample rod storage. Sailfish boats appeal to boaters looking for a balance of fishability, safety, and comfort on the water, whether cruising to dinner or fishing from sunup to sundown.

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Sea Chaser

Sea Chaser, built by Carolina Skiff, offers a line of boats designed to bring more offshore and family-friendly features to the value-driven skiff brand. With center consoles, dual consoles, and hybrid bay boats ranging from the low 20s to over 30 feet, Sea Chaser blends fishability with comfort, making them versatile platforms. Popular with boaters who want reliable performance without the premium price tag, Sea Chaser models are well-suited for Northeast waters.

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Sea Hunt Boats

Sea Hunt has grown into one of the most popular saltwater boat brands in the U.S., known for offering versatile center consoles with strong performance at a competitive price. Their Gamefish, Ultra, and BX series cover everything from inshore fishing and family cruising to offshore runs for tuna. With clean layouts, abundant storage, and dependable ride quality, Sea Hunt boats appeal to anglers and families looking for value and versatility.

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Sea Pro Boats

Explore the Sea Pro 245R Sandbar Boat

The Sea Pro 245R Sandbar Boat is the flagship of the brand’s Family Sandbar lineup, delivering the rare combination of offshore fishability and all-day family comfort. At 24 feet, it’s equipped with the features serious anglers expect—like a spacious cockpit, large livewell, and ample rod storage—while also offering plush seating, a roomy bow lounge, and easy water access for cruising and relaxing at the sandbar. With Sea Pro’s smooth, stable ride and a balance of fishing performance and family-friendly amenities, the 245 R ensures the fun doesn’t stop whether you’re chasing fish or making memories on the water.

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Skeeter Boats

Explore the Skeeter SX2550 Family

The Sea Pro 245R Sandbar Boat is the flagship of the brand’s Family Sandbar lineup, delivering the rare combination of offshore fishability and all-day family comfort. At 24 feet, it’s equipped with the features serious anglers expect—like a spacious cockpit, large livewell, and ample rod storage—while also offering plush seating, a roomy bow lounge, and easy water access for cruising and relaxing at the sandbar. With Sea Pro’s smooth, stable ride and a balance of fishing performance and family-friendly amenities, the 245 R ensures the fun doesn’t stop whether you’re chasing fish or making memories on the water.

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Southport Boats

Explore the Southport 38FE Family

Southport Boats, designed and built in Maine, combine downeast heritage with modern centerconsole performance. The 38FE (Family Edition) offers a stable, comfortable ride that shines both inshore and offshore. With its wide beam, deep-V hull, and expansive layout, it has no problem handling sketchy seas when chasing stripers on the rips and running long offshore trips. Luxurious touches like abundant seating and storage mean the whole crew can ride in comfort, whether fishing hard or just cruising.

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Tidewater Boats

Tidewater has built its reputation on offering feature-rich, well-finished boats at a competitive price. Their lineup spans 30-plus models and includes bay boats, dual consoles, and large offshore center consoles—all built with Carolina flare for a dry ride and stability. Popular among anglers who split their time between inshore fishing and offshore trips, Tidewater boats deliver strong value and versatile performance.

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Wellcraft Boats

Explore the Wellcraft 38 T-Top

The Wellcraft 38 T-Top is built for boaters who demand both offshore performance and onboard comfort. At 38 feet, it delivers speed, range, and stability powered by triple outboards capable of reaching 60 mph, making it a serious platform for long runs to the tuna grounds. Anglers will appreciate the wide aft cockpit—the largest in its class—for fishability and versatility, while an innovative fold-down swim platform provides easy access to the water. Expansive seating, a spacious cabin with double berth, and an enclosed shower make the 38 T-Top equally ready for family cruising or extended overnight trips.

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