Grady-White Freedom 235
Grady-White Freedom 235 earns a top position for dual-console bay boating thanks to its premium build quality, legendary SeaV2 hull that delivers a confident, dry ride and long-term resale value—advantages that justify its higher upfront cost compared with the other models. For anglers and families who prioritize offshore-capable handling, corrosion-resistant fittings and refined finishes, it outpaces more value-oriented competitors by offering a more robust specification and lower expected maintenance over time. Compared with the Boston Whaler and Robalo, Grady-White leans heavier toward comfort and durability rather than minimalistic price competition.
Smooth-sea ride
Refined craftsmanship
Smooth-sea ride
Refined craftsmanship
Review Summary
"Owners praise the Grady-White Freedom 235 for its solid build, exceptional sea handling, and comfortable dual-console layout that works well for both fishing and family days; reviewers note the premium price but say the long-term durability justifies it. After extended use many cite minimal maintenance issues and strong resale value."
Hook-happy layout
Solid offshore-ready hull and exceptionally smooth ride for bay and nearshore conditions.
Hook-happy layout
Solid offshore-ready hull and exceptionally smooth ride for bay and nearshore conditions.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Grady-White Freedom 235 earns a top position for dual-console bay boating thanks to its premium build quality, legendary SeaV2 hull that delivers a confident, dry ride and long-term resale value—advantages that justify its higher upfront cost compared with the other models. For anglers and families who prioritize offshore-capable handling, corrosion-resistant fittings and refined finishes, it outpaces more value-oriented competitors by offering a more robust specification and lower expected maintenance over time. Compared with the Boston Whaler and Robalo, Grady-White leans heavier toward comfort and durability rather than minimalistic price competition.
Smooth-sea ride
Refined craftsmanship
Hook-happy layout
Solid offshore-ready hull and exceptionally smooth ride for bay and nearshore conditions.
Well-appointed dual-console layout with comfortable seating, dedicated head, and storage.
Smooth-sea ride
Refined craftsmanship
Hook-happy layout
Solid offshore-ready hull and exceptionally smooth ride for bay and nearshore conditions.
Well-appointed dual-console layout with comfortable seating, dedicated head, and storage.
$160,000-210,000 CAD
Boston Whaler 240 Dauntless Pro
Boston Whaler 240 Dauntless Pro stands out for its unsinkable hull construction and a fishing-focused, no-nonsense layout that delivers strong safety and versatility in bay conditions at a competitive price. Its robust construction and simplified systems often reduce long-term ownership costs relative to similarly equipped premium-dual-console boats, making it an attractive middle ground between Grady-White’s premium finish and Robalo’s value proposition. In comparison to sportier models like the Sea Ray, the Dauntless Pro emphasizes utility and low-risk ownership for anglers and families who fish coastal waters.
Unsinkable confidence
Launch-ready deck
Unsinkable confidence
Launch-ready deck
Review Summary
"Buyers consistently highlight the Boston Whaler 240 Dauntless Pro's unsinkable hull, excellent fishability, and versatile deck layout; common comments mention it feels premium and inspires confidence in rough water, though it's considered expensive. Long-term users report high reliability and strong owner satisfaction."
Kid-approved cockpit
Iconic unsinkable hull construction for added safety and resale value.
Kid-approved cockpit
Iconic unsinkable hull construction for added safety and resale value.
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Boston Whaler 240 Dauntless Pro stands out for its unsinkable hull construction and a fishing-focused, no-nonsense layout that delivers strong safety and versatility in bay conditions at a competitive price. Its robust construction and simplified systems often reduce long-term ownership costs relative to similarly equipped premium-dual-console boats, making it an attractive middle ground between Grady-White’s premium finish and Robalo’s value proposition. In comparison to sportier models like the Sea Ray, the Dauntless Pro emphasizes utility and low-risk ownership for anglers and families who fish coastal waters.
Unsinkable confidence
Launch-ready deck
Kid-approved cockpit
Iconic unsinkable hull construction for added safety and resale value.
Large open cockpit and casting decks designed for productive bay fishing.
Unsinkable confidence
Launch-ready deck
Kid-approved cockpit
Iconic unsinkable hull construction for added safety and resale value.
Large open cockpit and casting decks designed for productive bay fishing.
$110,000-150,000 CAD
Sea Ray SPX 230
Sea Ray SPX 230 is the value-oriented sporty dual-console on the list, offering a comfortable family-friendly layout, contemporary styling and typically lower entry price that makes it attractive for buyers prioritizing on-water entertainment over hardcore fishing features. Its lighter emphasis on dedicated fishing systems and simpler rigging can mean lower purchase price and operating costs compared with Pursuit or Grady-White, though it sacrifices some of the rugged fishing capability and resale robustness those brands provide. For bay boat shoppers seeking a versatile runabout that balances comfort and economy, the SPX 230 is a cost-effective alternative to the more fish-centric models.
Sporty handling
Plush family seats
Sporty handling
Plush family seats
Review Summary
"The Sea Ray SPX 230 is frequently praised for offering a good balance of family-friendly features, stylish design, and comfortable ride at a competitive price, but some owners report wear issues with upholstery and limited fishing-specific features. Overall users find it a solid, affordable dual-console for casual boating."
Wake-party ready
Affordable dual-console layout with comfortable bow and cockpit seating for family days.
Wake-party ready
Affordable dual-console layout with comfortable bow and cockpit seating for family days.
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Sea Ray SPX 230 is the value-oriented sporty dual-console on the list, offering a comfortable family-friendly layout, contemporary styling and typically lower entry price that makes it attractive for buyers prioritizing on-water entertainment over hardcore fishing features. Its lighter emphasis on dedicated fishing systems and simpler rigging can mean lower purchase price and operating costs compared with Pursuit or Grady-White, though it sacrifices some of the rugged fishing capability and resale robustness those brands provide. For bay boat shoppers seeking a versatile runabout that balances comfort and economy, the SPX 230 is a cost-effective alternative to the more fish-centric models.
Sporty handling
Plush family seats
Wake-party ready
Affordable dual-console layout with comfortable bow and cockpit seating for family days.
Versatile platform that balances recreational boating with basic fishing amenities.
Sporty handling
Plush family seats
Wake-party ready
Affordable dual-console layout with comfortable bow and cockpit seating for family days.
Versatile platform that balances recreational boating with basic fishing amenities.
$75,000-100,000 CAD
Pursuit DC 266
Pursuit DC 266 is positioned as a premium fishing and cruising dual console with a solid offshore-capable hull, upscale gear options and fishing-centric ergonomics that appeal to serious anglers who also want family comfort. Technically it competes with Grady-White on ride quality and build pedigree while often offering more integrated fishing features than the Sea Ray, making it a compelling choice if you prioritize tackle storage, fishability and refined systems over the lowest purchase price. Financially, Pursuit tends to command a premium but promises strong retained value and confidence for bay-and-nearshore use.
Premium offshore feel
Pro-angling gear
Premium offshore feel
Pro-angling gear
Review Summary
"Pursuit DC 266 owners commend the boat's premium fit-and-finish, confident ride, and fish-focused yet comfortable dual-console design; reviewers acknowledge a higher purchase price and greater weight but say the build quality and offshore capability pay off over time. Long-term feedback emphasizes durability and excellent handling."
Cruise-in-style vibes
Heavy-duty hull and seakeeping designed for confident nearshore and offshore runs.
Cruise-in-style vibes
Heavy-duty hull and seakeeping designed for confident nearshore and offshore runs.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Pursuit DC 266 is positioned as a premium fishing and cruising dual console with a solid offshore-capable hull, upscale gear options and fishing-centric ergonomics that appeal to serious anglers who also want family comfort. Technically it competes with Grady-White on ride quality and build pedigree while often offering more integrated fishing features than the Sea Ray, making it a compelling choice if you prioritize tackle storage, fishability and refined systems over the lowest purchase price. Financially, Pursuit tends to command a premium but promises strong retained value and confidence for bay-and-nearshore use.
Premium offshore feel
Pro-angling gear
Cruise-in-style vibes
Heavy-duty hull and seakeeping designed for confident nearshore and offshore runs.
Spacious, premium dual-console interior with high-end fit-and-finish.
Premium offshore feel
Pro-angling gear
Cruise-in-style vibes
Heavy-duty hull and seakeeping designed for confident nearshore and offshore runs.
Spacious, premium dual-console interior with high-end fit-and-finish.
$220,000-300,000 CAD
Robalo R247
Robalo R247 delivers notable value for bay boat buyers by combining a fish-ready deck plan, ample storage and user-friendly systems at a price point that undercuts many premium dual-console competitors. While its fit-and-finish is generally less luxe than Grady-White or Pursuit, Robalo’s competitive pricing and sensible feature set make it a smart choice for anglers who want functional performance without paying for top-tier luxury, and it often offers lower entry costs than the Boston Whaler and Sea Ray alternatives. For buyers focused on bang-for-buck fishing functionality in bay conditions, the R247 balances capability and affordability effectively.
Performance hull
Smart tackle storage
Performance hull
Smart tackle storage
Review Summary
"The Robalo R247 gets consistently favorable marks for value, solid ride, and fishing-friendly features, with owners appreciating the practical layout and affordability compared with premium brands; some note room for improvement in factory electronics and storage optimization. Most users report dependable performance and good ownership experience."
Sun-ready lounge
Generous cockpit and fishability with large livewell and tackle storage.
Sun-ready lounge
Generous cockpit and fishability with large livewell and tackle storage.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Robalo R247 delivers notable value for bay boat buyers by combining a fish-ready deck plan, ample storage and user-friendly systems at a price point that undercuts many premium dual-console competitors. While its fit-and-finish is generally less luxe than Grady-White or Pursuit, Robalo’s competitive pricing and sensible feature set make it a smart choice for anglers who want functional performance without paying for top-tier luxury, and it often offers lower entry costs than the Boston Whaler and Sea Ray alternatives. For buyers focused on bang-for-buck fishing functionality in bay conditions, the R247 balances capability and affordability effectively.
Performance hull
Smart tackle storage
Sun-ready lounge
Generous cockpit and fishability with large livewell and tackle storage.
Comfortable dual-console accommodations for day cruising and family use.
Performance hull
Smart tackle storage
Sun-ready lounge
Generous cockpit and fishability with large livewell and tackle storage.
Comfortable dual-console accommodations for day cruising and family use.
$125,000-165,000 CAD