Buying an offshore fishing boat is a big decision. You want to select the right design and features for your fishing needs. And there are so many different kinds of deep-sea fishing boats on the market that it can be difficult to know where to start.

Fortunately, there are only a few basic categories of deep-sea fishing boats that you can quickly begin to narrow down the search. Once you know what kind of recreational fishing you want to do, you can start to consider attributes and features, as well as drawbacks, that correspond to each boat type. The information below will help point you in the right direction.

How Far Out Do You Plan to Go?

The definition of “deep sea fishing” is complicated because it often has to do with the proximity of the continental shelf’s edge to the shoreline. It is, by definition, how far you have to go to get to “deep seas.” This could be only a few miles off the coast of California or Florida, but dozens or even hundreds of miles for other locations.

This is a primary consideration because how far you need to travel offshore will determine what size boat you need and what features you want. The amount of time it takes you to get to where you need to go impacts all other aspects of the trip.

This includes the amount of fuel you must have and the time it takes you to get back to shore. The prospect of bad weather may not be as threatening if you’re a mile out but could be cause for concern if you are 50 miles offshore.

Types of Deep Sea Fishing Boats

When it comes to offshore fishing, there are only a few main categories of boats to choose from. The central aspects of these will help you home in on the type of boat that will suit your fishing needs.

Small Boats

Many smaller fishing boats can be used for deep-sea fishing. They remain popular because of their budget and versatility.

One reason to consider a smaller deep sea fishing boat is cost, both for purchasing the boat and upkeep. You will save on fuel, insurance, and maintenance.

While smaller boats may not be able to carry a lot of fuel, they don’t need to. They are much more fuel-efficient than their larger counterparts.

Depending on gasoline prices, running a large deep-sea fishing boat with two or three powerful motors could run upwards of $1,000 a day. Smaller vessels can troll for a long time on just a few hundred dollars or less of gasoline.

Smaller boats are great because you can tow them behind your vehicle, and they are easier to maneuver in the water. This can help save time. It is much less hassle to zip out in a 19-foot boat than to prepare a 65 foot one for a trip.

Another advantage is versatility. You can use the same boat for quick in-shore fishing excursions when you don’t want to make the trek offshore.

And some anglers contend that smaller boats can actually handle heavy seas better than boats with bigger hulls. This is because their agility makes them more maneuverable on larger swells.

But, there is a breaking point where you risk being tossed around on the waves. Not just any smaller boat is safe for deep-sea fishing miles offshore. It is important to understand the features that make them able to accommodate these environments.

Center Console Boats

One popular type of smaller boat is a center console. These range in size from 14 to 60 feet and are usually made of fibreglass. One big advantage is that they allow for easy casting around the edges of the craft.

Bay boats are a popular center-console boat. They are usually 17 to 25 feet in length and afford more storage space than other boats in that size category.

Bay boats fit between small boats with shallow hulls, made for fishing inshore, and larger ones designed for deep-sea fishing. In short, they have the ability to fish in shallower waters but can handle deeper waters as well.

Walkaround Fishing Boats

Walkaround fishing boats are another smaller boat option. These range from 20 to 30 feet in length. They are typically made of fibreglass or aluminum. Walkaround boats offer an unobstructed deck with railing from bow to transom.

One advantage of walkaround boats is access to cabin space. This can be key when getting out of the weather or for taking breaks. These are especially useful if you plan to have young children on board.

Having cabin space and a protected helm also can extend the fishing season by making rainy or colder weather more bearable. But these assets are a tradeoff to the open and roomy space afforded by center-console boats.

Catamarans

Catamarans are a final variation of a smaller offshore fishing boat. They have double hulls that provide stability and fuel efficiency. One drawback is that they can be slower than other boats.

Catamarans range from 25 up to 60 feet in length. They have many of the same benefits of walkaround boats.

Bigger Boats

There are a few drawbacks to smaller boats that bigger ones mitigate. One downside is that smaller boats offer less protection from the weather, including the sun, as well as the salt spray. Bigger boats offer a lot of covered space for relaxing or taking fishing breaks.

Another obvious advantage of bigger boats is seating capacity. Larger fishing boats can accommodate more people and offer comfort for longer fishing excursions. Many come with air conditioning and other luxury features.

Regardless of how many people it can accommodate, freedom of movement is another thing to consider. If you are thinking about making overnight trips, then sleeping quarters are available on many larger boats.

Another advantage of larger boats is that they allow you to fish in rougher waters. In general, bigger boats will be safer miles offshore. This can translate to more fishing opportunities since harsher conditions have a lot to do with a decision to go out or not.

The biggest disadvantage of larger boats is cost: both to purchase and to maintain. Every aspect of boat upkeep is compounded with larger boats.

From engine maintenance to winterizing, the processes here will be more involved. And since you can’t tow a yacht behind your vehicle or park it in your driveway, you can anticipate expenses for year-round docking or other storage.

Hull Design

Stability also has a lot to do with speed, since how fast you can go is not just a matter of power but of how the boat rides as it moves across the water. This is where hull design comes in.

A hull with a deeper V design is essential for stability for center-console boats and walkarounds. Due to their weight, larger boats can get away with semi-V, nearly flat on the bottom.

Standard moderate-V in most boats has a deadrise angle of 15 to 20 degrees. But deep-V hulls have angles of 21 to 26 degrees, making them more stable in rough waters.

Stepped-hull designs allow boats with more pronounced deadrise angles to ride flatter in the water. This reduces drag and allows the boat to go faster. It also increases efficiency so that you can go further on the same amount of fuel.

Fishing Boat Features

Beyond size and hull design, there are many features to consider with your offshore fishing boat. These can dramatically impact your experience.

Technology

Touchscreen multifunction displays (MFDs) are becoming ubiquitous with offshore fishing boats. Depending on the system, they allow you to control almost every component on the boat. They also provide a lot of information about your boat’s systems’ status, including the engine and fuel consumption.

MFDs also are useful at providing alerts and warnings. And they can incorporate electronic fish finders that use sonar signals. These show the location of fish and structures underwater.

The advent of joystick systems has simplified tedious maneuvering in tight spaces. They allow you to move the boat in any direction, including angling the boat on its center point and can come in handy for maintaining a drift angle while fishing. These have become standard for large boats but are popular for small- and medium-sized boats as well.

Livewells and Tackle

Livewell systems have advanced as well, both in design and technology. Pressuring livewells helps eliminate sloshing and control the water’s aeration, which can help life bait survive longer.

Tackle storage is another important component of a deep-sea fishing boat. You will want plenty of rod holders to accommodate the type of fishing you want to do.

Vertical storage of rods along the edges of the center console is a popular option. You can use these for trolling as well as storage.

Remember that there are many different types of offshore fishing, so you may want lures set up for a variety of activities. Being able to pick up a small spinner rod for bait fishing then switch to a larger rig for trolling can make the experience much more enjoyable.

Find the Right Fishing Boat

Now that you have an idea of the different sizes and features of deep-sea fishing boats, you can begin to narrow down which one will meet your recreational fishing needs. Although there are many choices within each category, knowing what you want your boat to do is the first step to selecting the right one.

At Westshore Marine and Leisure, we have a variety of fishing boats. We offer in-house financing with a network of banks. We can help you find the right boat that fits your lifestyle and budget.