The center console boat was first invented by Richard T. Fisher, the founder of Boston Whaler, Inc. What started as a makeshift arrangement of the console turned out to work well for Fisher, so he began to manufacture boats with center consoles. Since Fisher's creation of the center console, many different manufacturers have adopted his design.

Center console boats give you more control because you are steering from the center of your boat, instead of from the starboard side, like most other boats. The center console also provides a more even keel so that the steering is steadier. Overall, the center console design helps ensure a smoother, more predictable ride.

A bay boat is a center console boat designed to be a compromise between inshore boats and offshore boats. Inshore boats are too small to even consider going off shore and off shore boats are far too large to consider fishing inshore. The bay boat was designed to accommodate those who need a boat that they can use to fish both inshore and slightly off shore.

The bay boat is the perfect center console boat for a day of near-shore fishing. Bay boats are small and lightweight, so you can zip around coves and bays. Bay boats can go farther away from shore on calm days but are not made to cut waves. Leaving the near shore area could overwhelm you and the boat.