Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Best Used Bay Boats Under $100,000 in 2027 (Ranked)
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO Syndicate
Best Used Bay Boats Under $100,000 in 2027 (Ranked)
A good bay boat splits the difference between a skinny-water flats skiff and a big offshore center console, giving you a shallow draft, a stable deep-V or modified-V hull, and enough freeboard to chase reds in the marsh on Saturday and run nearshore for kings on Sunday.
The used market is where the value lives, because a three-to-six-year-old hull from a respected builder costs far less than a new one yet fishes exactly the same. We judged this field on build quality, real-world resale stability, rigging completeness, common failure points, and how much boat you actually get for the dollar.
Every pick below is a real, widely sold model that routinely trades under $100,000 in clean, low-hour condition.
Direct Answer
The best overall used bay boat under $100,000 is the 2018-2021 Pathfinder 2600 TRS at roughly $78,000-$95,000, a 26-foot hybrid that runs rough nearshore water like a much bigger boat while still poling the flats. The best value pick is the 2017-2020 Sea Pro 248 Bay, which delivers a wide, dry 24-footer for about $58,000-$72,000.
Buy on engine hours and a clean compression test, not on cosmetics, and always pay for a survey on anything over 22 feet.
How We Ranked
- Build quality — Hull lamination, stringer system, and hardware grade decide whether a 6-year-old boat still feels tight or oil-cans over chop.
- Resale stability — Brands that hold value protect your money and signal a deep, trusting owner base.
- Fishability — Casting deck size, layout, livewell volume, and rod storage separate a real fishing platform from a styling exercise.
- Running ability — How the hull handles a 2-foot nearshore chop versus how shallow it floats and poles.
- Cost of ownership — Rigging completeness, engine reputation, and parts availability that keep the total spend under budget.
1. 2018-2021 Pathfinder 2600 TRS 🏆 BEST OVERALL
The Pathfinder 2600 TRS is the boat most serious inshore anglers graduate into, and the used examples from 2018 onward are the sweet spot. At 26 feet 1 inch with a 9-foot 2-inch beam, it carries the wide, flat-running TRS (Tunnel-Recess-Step) hull that lets a deep boat float in roughly 14 inches of water while still slicing a nearshore chop.
Most were rigged with a single Yamaha F300 or F250, both bulletproof four-strokes with deep parts support.
You get a massive forward casting deck, a 40-gallon pressurized livewell, lockable rod storage, and a console big enough for a 12-inch multifunction display. Clean low-hour boats trade around $85,000, with loaded examples touching $95,000 and high-hour hulls near $78,000.
Watch for soft spots around the rear deck hatches and confirm the hydraulic jack plate cycles fully.
- Price: ~$78,000-$95,000
- Pros: Exceptional rough-water ride, huge resale demand, premium fit and finish
- Cons: Heavier draft than a true skiff, parts pricing runs high
Verdict: The do-everything bay boat that justifies its price on resale alone.
2. 2017-2020 Sea Pro 248 Bay 💎 BEST VALUE
The reborn Sea Pro brand built its reputation on giving you 90 percent of a premium boat for 70 percent of the money, and the 248 Bay is the proof. At 24 feet 2 inches with an 8-foot 6-inch beam, it is a wide, dry, deep-sided platform that handles nearshore runs far better than its price suggests.
Most carry a single Yamaha F250 four-stroke.
Standard rigging on these was unusually complete: a large livewell, hydraulic steering, a leaning post with rod holders, and a quality console. Used boats from 2017-2020 typically sell for $58,000-$72,000, dramatically less than a comparable Pathfinder or Sportsman. Inspect the rub rail and confirm the deck hardware is not pulling, as early hull-deck joints needed re-bedding on a few examples.
- Price: ~$58,000-$72,000
- Pros: Outstanding price-to-size ratio, dry ride, full factory rigging
- Cons: Resale softer than top brands, fit and finish a notch below premium
Verdict: The most boat-per-dollar in the segment, and the smart-money buy.
3. 2016-2020 Sportsman Masters 247 Bay
Sportsman Boats out of South Carolina has become a bay-boat powerhouse, and the Masters 247 is its bread-and-butter 24-footer. The 24-foot 7-inch hull with an 8-foot 6-inch beam runs a moderate deadrise that balances a soft ride against shallow flotation, and the build quality punches above the price.
Power was usually a Yamaha F300 or Suzuki DF300.
These are loaded boats: forward and aft casting decks, a giant aft livewell, integrated tackle storage, and a coffin box option. Expect $62,000-$84,000 depending on year and engine. Check the digital switching panel on later models, as a small number had corrosion in the fuse block.
- Price: ~$62,000-$84,000
- Pros: Heavy standard equipment, strong resale, refined layout
- Cons: Electrical complexity, taller freeboard catches wind
Verdict: A loaded, modern bay boat that holds value as well as anything here.
4. 2017-2021 Robalo 246 Cayman
Robalo, built by the same Marine Products Corp. That makes Chaparral, brings legendary hull integrity to the bay segment with the 246 Cayman. At 24 feet 2 inches and an 8-foot 6-inch beam, it carries a hand-laid hull with a stiff stringer grid that simply does not flex. Most ran a single Yamaha F300.
The Cayman trades a little casting-deck real estate for a more finished, family-friendly cockpit, making it the pick for buyers who fish hard but also want comfort. Used pricing sits around $64,000-$88,000. These boats are famously well built, so issues are usually limited to neglected maintenance rather than design flaws.
- Price: ~$64,000-$88,000
- Pros: Bank-vault hull, excellent resale, family-and-fishing balance
- Cons: Smaller forward casting platform, premium pricing
Verdict: The build-quality benchmark of the bay class.
5. 2016-2020 Sea Hunt BX 24 BR
Sea Hunt is one of the best-selling fishing brands in America, and the BX 24 BR is its flagship bay boat. The 24-foot 1-inch hull with an 8-foot 6-inch beam is known for a notably dry, soft ride thanks to a sharper-than-average bay deadrise. Power was typically a Yamaha F300.
What sets the BX 24 apart is the value-rich standard package: hardtop options, a big livewell, premium upholstery, and clean wiring. Used examples run $60,000-$85,000. Inspect the hardtop mounting and the forward seating hinges, the most common wear points reported by owners.
- Price: ~$60,000-$85,000
- Pros: Very dry ride, strong dealer network, generous standard features
- Cons: Higher gunwales reduce flats access, resale trails Pathfinder
Verdict: A dry-riding, well-supported bay boat with broad appeal.
6. 2017-2021 Blackjack 256
Built by Maverick Boat Group, the Blackjack 256 is the value-leaning sibling to the Pathfinder, sharing much of the same hull DNA at a friendlier price. The 25-foot 4-inch hull with a 9-foot beam uses the same Recess-Tunnel approach for shallow flotation and a serious nearshore ride. Single Yamaha F300 rigging is typical.
You give up a little of the Pathfinder's finish and brand cachet but keep most of the performance, which is why these sell fast. Expect $66,000-$88,000 used. Confirm the deck non-skid is intact and check the rigging tube for chafe behind the console.
- Price: ~$66,000-$88,000
- Pros: Pathfinder-grade hull for less, big and stable, strong resale
- Cons: Fewer were built, less premium trim
Verdict: A near-Pathfinder ride for thousands less.
7. 2016-2020 Ranger 2510 Bay
Ranger Boats carries decades of bass-boat fit-and-finish into saltwater with the 2510 Bay. At 24 feet 11 inches and an 8-foot 6-inch beam, it offers one of the most refined cockpits in the class with class-leading rod and tackle storage. Power was usually a Mercury 300 Pro XS or Yamaha F300.
Ranger's reputation for obsessive build quality holds here, and the integrated storage is unmatched for a tournament angler. Used pricing runs $68,000-$92,000. These boats are heavy, so confirm the trailer is rated correctly and inspect the bunks.
- Price: ~$68,000-$92,000
- Pros: Tournament-grade storage, superb fit and finish, durable hull
- Cons: Heavier and deeper draft, fewer dealers coastally
Verdict: The detail-obsessed angler's bay boat.
8. 2017-2021 Tidewater 2300 Carolina Bay
Tidewater Boats delivers a lot of usable fishing boat for the money, and the 2300 Carolina Bay is a popular mid-size pick. The 23-foot hull with an 8-foot 6-inch beam runs a hybrid deadrise that fishes the flats yet handles a building chop. Most carry a single Yamaha F250 or F200.
The standard rigging is solid for the price, with a good livewell, ample dry storage, and a clean console. Used boats trade for $48,000-$66,000, making this a strong budget alternative. Check the bilge for staining and confirm the livewell pump and aerator function.
- Price: ~$48,000-$66,000
- Pros: Affordable, capable hybrid hull, good storage
- Cons: Finish below premium brands, resale moderate
Verdict: A budget hybrid that fishes well beyond its sticker.
9. 2016-2020 NauticStar 2200 Sport
NauticStar earned a loyal following with value-driven bay boats, and the 2200 Sport is a clean, fishable 22-footer. At 22 feet with an 8-foot 6-inch beam, it is easy to trailer and runs a friendly draft for skinny water. Power was typically a Yamaha F150 or F200.
It is a simpler, lighter boat than the big 24-to-26-footers, which makes it ideal for a one-or-two-angler crew that fishes protected water. Used pricing runs $38,000-$56,000. Inspect the deck core around hatch openings, the brand's most-reported soft-spot area.
- Price: ~$38,000-$56,000
- Pros: Easy to tow, low buy-in, shallow draft
- Cons: Smaller and lighter in chop, core care needed
Verdict: The trailerable, budget-friendly entry to real bay fishing.
10. 2017-2021 Skeeter SX240
Skeeter, long famous for bass boats, brings serious speed and fit-and-finish to saltwater with the SX240. The 24-foot hull with an 8-foot 6-inch beam is fast, dry, and tightly built, and it rewards anglers who want to cover water quickly. Most carry a Yamaha F300 with a stainless prop.
It is one of the quicker boats in the class and the rigging is tournament-clean, but coastal dealer support is thinner than the saltwater specialists. Expect $66,000-$90,000 used. Confirm the saltwater flushing was kept up, since these started life as a freshwater-focused brand.
- Price: ~$66,000-$90,000
- Pros: Fast and dry, excellent fit and finish, strong rigging
- Cons: Thinner coastal support, premium pricing
Verdict: The speed-and-finish pick for the run-and-gun angler.
How to Choose
What to Look For
- Engine hours and compression — On any used four-stroke, get the hour readout and a compression or leak-down test. Under 400 hours on a well-maintained Yamaha or Mercury is ideal; high hours are fine only with documented service.
- Deck and stringer condition — Tap the casting decks and around every hatch for soft spots, and ask whether the boat lived on a lift or in the water. Submerged storage accelerates blistering and core rot.
- Trailer and bunks — A 24-to-26-foot bay boat is heavy. Confirm the trailer rating, brake function, and bunk condition; a worn trailer is a hidden cost.
- Survey and sea trial — For anything over 22 feet, pay for an independent marine survey and insist on a sea trial. Watch how the hull tracks, listen for the bilge pump, and confirm electronics power up cleanly.
FAQ
What is the best used bay boat under $100,000 in 2027? The 2018-2021 Pathfinder 2600 TRS is the top overall pick for its rough-water ability, premium build, and strong resale, typically trading from $78,000 to $95,000 for clean, low-hour examples.
Which used bay boat gives the best value for the money? The 2017-2020 Sea Pro 248 Bay offers the most boat-per-dollar, delivering a wide, dry 24-footer with full factory rigging for roughly $58,000-$72,000, far less than a comparable premium brand.
How shallow can a bay boat actually run? Most 24-to-26-foot bay boats float in 12 to 18 inches of water and run on plane in 2 to 3 feet. Tunnel and recess hulls like the Pathfinder and Blackjack draft the least, while deeper-V designs trade some shallow ability for a softer offshore ride.
Is it safe to buy a used bay boat without a survey? For small, simple boats it can be, but for any hull over 22 feet a professional survey is strongly recommended. A survey catches soft decks, stringer rot, and engine issues that can cost more than the survey many times over.
Bottom Line
For most buyers, the 2018-2021 Pathfinder 2600 TRS is the best used bay boat under $100,000, pairing a class-leading nearshore ride with resale value that protects your money. If you want maximum boat for the least cash, the 2017-2020 Sea Pro 248 Bay is the clear value winner, while the Sportsman Masters 247 and Robalo 246 Cayman round out a field of genuinely strong choices.
Buy on hours, survey the hull, and you will fish for years.
Sources
- Boat Trader — used bay boat listings and pricing data
- Discover Boating — boat-buying and segment guides
- NADA Guides / J.D. Power — used boat valuation ranges
- Yamaha Marine — outboard model specifications and reliability data
- Mercury Marine — Pro XS outboard specifications
- BoatUS — used boat survey and inspection guidance
- Boating Magazine — bay boat reviews and on-water testing
*Keywords: Best Used Bay Boats Under $100,000 in 2027 (Ranked) — review, reviews, rating, comparison, best of 2027.*