Top 10 NauticStar Boat Models 2027

Direct Answer

The Best Overall NauticStar for 2027 is the 2500 XS bay boat, starting around $72,500, which pairs a deep, dry 8-foot 6-inch beam, a fishable bay layout, and big-water capability that lets serious inshore anglers run offshore on calm days. The Best Value pick is the 195 XTS deck boat, starting near $38,900, which delivers family seating, a swim platform, and rugged NauticStar construction for the least money on this list.

This list is built for inshore anglers, coastal families, and bay-boat buyers who want a tough hand-laid hull, real fishing hardware, and a sensible price — whether the budget sits under $40,000 or stretches toward a rigged-out $75,000 flagship. Every pick below uses real 2026–2027 model-year specs, MSRPs, and rigging packages.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each NauticStar against the priorities coastal buyers actually shop on, leaning on published data from Boating Magazine, Discover Boating, BoatTEST, boats.com, and NauticStar's own model pages. The weighting:

• Build quality and reliability — 25%
• On-water performance — 20%
• Value and price — 15%
• Comfort and layout — 15%
• Features and fishing tech — 15%
• Resale — 10%

A boat that fishes well but rides wet, or seats a crowd but skimps on hardware, drops fast. The winners balance all six.

1. NauticStar 2500 XS 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Starting MSRP: $72,500 | Best for: Serious inshore anglers who want occasional big-water reach

The 2500 XS is the flagship of NauticStar's extended-V bay series and the most complete boat the brand builds. It measures 24 feet 11 inches LOA with a wide 8-foot 6-inch beam and a deep 21-degree deadrise at the transom that knocks down chop most bay boats pound through.

Rated for a single outboard up to 300 hp (most owners rig a Yamaha F250 or F300), it carries 86 gallons of fuel and seats up to eight. Fishing hardware is the draw: a 40-gallon recirculating livewell, insulated fish boxes, a leaning post with rod holders, forward and aft casting decks, and room for a Power-Pole and a flush-mounted 9- or 12-inch Garmin or Simrad display at the helm.

Pros:

• Deep 21-degree transom deadrise rides dry in a chop
• 300-hp rating and 86-gallon tank deliver real range
• 40-gallon recirculating livewell and dual casting decks
• Hand-laid hull with a strong resale reputation

Cons:

• Rigged-out builds push past $80,000
• Big beam needs a wider trailer and slip

Verdict: The 2500 XS wins on balance — fishability, a dry ride, and the range to push offshore when it's flat.

2. NauticStar 2602 Legacy

Starting MSRP: $68,400 | Best for: Crossover buyers who want a center console for fishing and family days

The 2602 Legacy is NauticStar's largest center console, a true coastal crossover at 26 feet LOA with an 8-foot 6-inch beam. Its deep-V hull carries a single outboard up to 300 hp or twin 200s, holds 120 gallons of fuel, and seats up to ten. The layout balances fishing and comfort: a console with an enclosed head, a bow seating area with a filler cushion, two insulated fish boxes, a transom livewell, and a hardtop-ready frame for outriggers and electronics.

It rides like a small offshore boat while staying easy enough to trailer and dock.

Pros:

• 26-foot deep-V handles open water confidently
• Enclosed console head for full-day comfort
• 120-gallon fuel capacity for long runs
• Twin-engine option for offshore peace of mind

Cons:

• Heaviest tow weight on the list
• Twin rigging adds significant cost

Verdict: The big-water crossover — buy it to fish offshore yet still keep the family comfortable.

3. NauticStar 251 Hybrid

Starting MSRP: $62,900 | Best for: Buyers who want a bay-and-bow combo in one hull

The 251 Hybrid blends a bay-boat fishing deck with a bow lounge, the signature NauticStar "hybrid" idea scaled up. It runs 25 feet LOA on an 8-foot 6-inch beam, takes a single outboard up to 300 hp, holds 86 gallons of fuel, and seats up to nine. Up front sits wraparound bow seating with backrests; aft is all business with a recirculating livewell, rod storage, and a rear casting platform.

A ski-tow eye and available Bimini make it a genuine do-everything coastal boat for a mixed crew of anglers and kids.

Pros:

• Bow lounge plus aft casting deck in one boat
• 300-hp rating moves the big hull easily
• Recirculating livewell and ample rod storage
• Comfortable enough for family cruising

Cons:

• Compromise layout pleases neither extreme fully
• Bow cushions reduce dedicated fishing room

Verdict: The true crossover hybrid — ideal when half the crew fishes and half just rides.

4. NauticStar 231 Hybrid

Starting MSRP: $54,700 | Best for: Coastal families who want one trailerable do-it-all boat

The 231 Hybrid is the volume seller in NauticStar's lineup and a smart middle ground at 23 feet LOA with an 8-foot 6-inch beam. It accepts a single outboard up to 250 hp, holds 65 gallons of fuel, and seats up to nine. The hybrid layout brings bow lounge seating, a livewell, insulated fish boxes, a leaning post, and a swim platform with a boarding ladder.

With a Yamaha F250 it cruises in the mid-30-mph range, planes quickly, and stays easy to launch from a single-axle ramp on a tandem trailer.

Pros:

• Best-selling layout balances fishing and family use
• Easy to trailer and launch at 23 feet
• Bow seating, livewell, and swim platform standard
• Strong dealer network supports resale

Cons:

• 250-hp ceiling caps top-end speed
• Smaller fuel tank limits long offshore runs

Verdict: The everyman NauticStar — the easiest pick if you want versatility without a big-boat budget.

5. NauticStar 211 Hybrid

Starting MSRP: $48,300 | Best for: Newer boaters who want a manageable bay-and-bow crossover

The 211 Hybrid scales the popular hybrid formula down to 21 feet LOA on an 8-foot 6-inch beam, making it lighter, thriftier, and friendlier for buyers stepping up from a first boat. It takes a single outboard up to 200 hp, carries 52 gallons of fuel, and seats up to eight.

Standard gear includes a recirculating livewell, bow casting deck, bow lounge cushions, rod holders, and a leaning post. With a Yamaha F150 or F200 it delivers an efficient cruise in the low-to-mid-30s and tucks into a standard garage on its trailer.

Pros:

• Lightweight and easy to handle for new boaters
• Recirculating livewell and bow casting deck standard
• Efficient with a 150–200 hp outboard
• Garage-friendly trailered footprint

Cons:

• 200-hp cap and 52-gallon tank limit range
• Tighter for a full crew of anglers

Verdict: The approachable crossover — a confidence-building hybrid for buyers who want simple and capable.

6. NauticStar 22 XS

Starting MSRP: $57,900 | Best for: Inshore anglers who want a pure bay boat at a trailerable size

The 22 XS is the dedicated bay-boat brother to the flagship, distilling the XS hull into a 22-foot 4-inch LOA package with an 8-foot 6-inch beam and the same deep deadrise that keeps the ride dry. It accepts a single outboard up to 250 hp, holds 65 gallons of fuel, and seats up to seven.

This is a fishing machine first: fore and aft casting decks, a recirculating livewell, insulated fish boxes, gunnel rod storage, and a clean foredeck with a trolling-motor mount and Power-Pole boss. There's no bow lounge stealing deck space — every inch is built to fish.

Pros:

• Pure bay-boat layout maximizes casting room
• Deep XS hull rides dry for its size
• Recirculating livewell and gunnel rod storage
• Trailerable yet seriously capable inshore

Cons:

• No bow lounge for non-fishing passengers
• Open layout offers little weather protection

Verdict: The angler's bay boat — choose it when fishing comes first and deck space is everything.

7. NauticStar 2302 Legacy

Starting MSRP: $52,800 | Best for: Buyers who want a midsize center console crossover

The 2302 Legacy is NauticStar's midsize center console, a versatile 23-foot LOA boat on an 8-foot 6-inch beam that splits the difference between fishing and family time. It runs a single outboard up to 250 hp, holds 80 gallons of fuel, and seats up to nine.

The console houses an optional portable head, while the deck offers bow seating with a filler cushion, two insulated fish boxes, a livewell, and rod holders. A hardtop and outrigger mounts are available, making it a tidy nearshore boat that's still easy to single-hand at the ramp.

Pros:

• Center-console layout fishes 360 degrees
• 80-gallon tank for solid nearshore range
• Optional console head for full-day trips
• Easy to trailer and launch at 23 feet

Cons:

• Open console offers limited shade without a top
• Mid-tier hardware compared with the XS series

Verdict: The right-size center console — a practical crossover for buyers who want fish-anywhere flexibility.

8. NauticStar 19 XS

Starting MSRP: $42,700 | Best for: Skinny-water anglers who want a nimble small bay boat

The 19 XS is the compact entry in the XS bay line, a 19-foot 6-inch LOA skiff-style hull on a 7-foot 8-inch beam that runs shallow and turns on a dime. It takes a single outboard up to 150 hp, holds 40 gallons of fuel, and seats up to five. Despite the size it carries real fishing gear: a recirculating livewell, a forward casting deck, rod holders, and a trolling-motor-ready bow.

Light weight means it gets up fast, draws little water, and tows behind a midsize SUV without drama.

Pros:

• Shallow draft reaches skinny backwater flats
• Light and quick to plane with 150 hp
• Recirculating livewell despite compact size
• Easy single-vehicle tow and launch

Cons:

• Five-person cap limits crew size
• Small tank restricts longer runs

Verdict: The nimble flats boat — the pick for solo and two-angler skinny-water fishing on a budget.

9. NauticStar 203 DC

Starting MSRP: $45,900 | Best for: Families who want a dual-console with fishing chops

The 203 DC is NauticStar's dual-console, built for families who want walk-through protection up front and the option to fish off the back. It measures 20 feet 5 inches LOA on an 8-foot 6-inch beam, takes a single outboard up to 200 hp, holds 52 gallons of fuel, and seats up to eight.

The dual-console layout adds a port-side seating pod with a glovebox, an acrylic windshield with a walk-through, bow lounges, a livewell, and a swim platform with a ladder. It's the most family-friendly boat in the lineup short of the deck boat.

Pros:

• Dual-console windshield shields the bow crew
• Bow lounges plus an aft livewell for mixed use
• Swim platform and ladder for watersports
• Comfortable family layout with fishing options

Cons:

• Walk-through windshield cuts into casting room
• 200-hp cap limits performance with a full load

Verdict: The family dual-console — best when comfort and weather protection edge out pure fishing.

10. NauticStar 195 XTS 💎 BEST VALUE

Starting MSRP: $38,900 | Best for: Budget-minded families who want a tough, versatile deck boat

The 195 XTS deck boat is the value champion of the lineup, delivering the most usable seating per dollar NauticStar offers. It runs 19 feet 6 inches LOA on a wide, stable 8-foot 6-inch beam, takes a single outboard up to 150 hp, holds 38 gallons of fuel, and seats up to ten thanks to the open deck-boat layout.

Standard features include wraparound bow and stern seating, a swim platform with a telescoping ladder, a ski-tow eye, a portable cooler, and optional rod holders so it can pull double duty for light fishing. The same hand-laid hull as the pricier models keeps it rugged.

Pros:

• Lowest starting price on the list at $38,900
• Seats up to ten in an open deck-boat layout
• Swim platform and ski-tow eye for watersports
• Same rugged hand-laid construction as bigger models

Cons:

• Deck-boat hull rides wetter offshore than the V-bays
• Light fishing hardware compared with the XS series

Verdict: The value champion — maximum seating, watersports gear, and NauticStar toughness for the least money.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Buying a Bay Boat

• Hull deadrise and dryness — A deeper transom deadrise, like the 21 degrees on the 2500 XS, rides drier in chop than a shallow-V; test-ride in real wind before you buy.
• Livewell type and capacity — A recirculating, aerated livewell keeps bait alive on long days; check pump flow and whether it's pressurized, not just the gallon number.
• Engine rating and brand — Match the maximum horsepower rating to a quality outboard (Yamaha, Mercury, Suzuki); don't overlook fuel capacity, which sets real range.
• Casting-deck layout — Confirm the fore and aft deck space, trolling-motor mounting, and Power-Pole provisions fit how you actually fish.
• Build and warranty — Look for a hand-laid hull, a structural hull warranty, and a strong dealer network for service and resale support.
• Trailerability — An 8-foot 6-inch beam is the towing limit without a permit; verify your tow vehicle, trailer, and slip fit the boat you choose.

What matters less than marketing implies: gelcoat color schemes, the number of cupholders, and headline top-speed numbers. A dry ride, a healthy livewell, a quality outboard, and a strong dealer affect your days on the water far more.

FAQ

Which NauticStar boat is the best overall for 2027? The 2500 XS earns our top spot for combining a dry-riding deep-V bay hull, a 300-hp rating, an 86-gallon tank, and serious fishing hardware with the range to run offshore on calm days.

What is the best value NauticStar? The 195 XTS deck boat, starting near $38,900, seats up to ten and adds watersports gear on the same rugged hand-laid hull, making it the most boat per dollar in the lineup.

Which NauticStar is best for serious inshore fishing? The 22 XS is the purest bay boat here — fore and aft casting decks, a recirculating livewell, and gunnel rod storage with no bow lounge stealing deck space — while the larger 2500 XS adds big-water reach.

Which NauticStar can handle offshore water? The 2602 Legacy center console, at 26 feet with a deep-V hull and up to 120 gallons of fuel, is the most offshore-capable NauticStar, especially when rigged with twin outboards.

What engines do NauticStar boats use? NauticStar rigs primarily with Yamaha outboards, from F150 and F200 on smaller models up to F250 and F300 on the 2500 XS and 2602 Legacy; Mercury and Suzuki are also available through many dealers.

Are NauticStar boats good for families? Yes — the 203 DC dual-console and 195 XTS deck boat prioritize seating, swim platforms, and weather protection, while the 231 and 251 Hybrid crossovers blend bow lounging with a real fishing deck.

Bottom Line

For 2027, the NauticStar 2500 XS is our Best Overall pick — starting around $72,500, it wins on a dry deep-V ride, a 300-hp rating, big fuel capacity, and tournament-grade fishing hardware. The 195 XTS deck boat, from about $38,900, is our Best Value, packing up to ten seats and watersports gear onto the same rugged hand-laid hull.

If your needs lean toward offshore center-console runs, skinny-water flats fishing, or family dual-console comfort, use the decision tree above to route yourself to the 2602 Legacy, 19 XS, or 203 DC instead. Buy on hull dryness, livewell quality, and dealer support — not gelcoat colors — and you'll be happy season after season.

Sources

• Boating Magazine — bay boat reviews and tests
• Discover Boating — boat types and buying guides
• BoatTEST — NauticStar performance reports
• boats.com — NauticStar listings and specs
• Yachting — coastal boat reviews
• Power & Motoryacht — center console coverage
• Salt Water Sportsman — inshore fishing boat guides
• NauticStar Boats — official 2500 XS specs
• NauticStar Boats — Hybrid series model pages
• NBOAT / boats.com — used NauticStar values

*NauticStar boat review — best NauticStar boats 2027, reviews, ratings, prices, and a review of the top NauticStar models for buyers.*