Bay boat vs flats boat comes down to how shallow you fish and how far you run. In Maverick Boat Group's 2027 lineup, its Maverick and Hewes flats boats are listed at 6 to 11 inches of draft, while its Pathfinder bay boats draw 12 to 17 inches but carry 61 to 182 gallons of fuel, against 19 to 32.
| Model (type) |
Length |
Draft |
Fuel |
| Maverick 17 HPX-S (flats) |
17 ft 8 in |
6 in |
19 gal |
| Maverick 17 HPX-V (flats) |
16 ft 9 in |
8 in |
23 gal |
| Maverick 18 HPX-V (flats) |
18 ft 4 in |
9 in with an F150 |
29 gal |
| Hewes Redfisher 16 (flats) |
16 ft 6 in |
11 in |
32 gal |
| Hewes Redfisher 18 (flats) |
18 ft 10 in |
10 in |
31 gal |
| Hewes Redfisher 21 (backcountry and nearshore) |
21 ft 6 in |
14 in |
50 gal |
| Pathfinder 2200 Hybrid (bay) |
22 ft 5 in |
13 in |
65 gal |
| Pathfinder 2300 Tournament (bay) |
23 ft 6 in |
12 in |
61 gal |
| Pathfinder 2400 Tournament (bay) |
24 ft 4 in |
14 in |
88 gal |
| Pathfinder 2700 Tournament (bay) |
27 ft 0 in |
17 in |
95 or 126 gal |
| Pathfinder 2800 Hybrid (bay) |
28 ft 5 in |
17 in |
182 gal |
Figures are the builder's own for its 2027 models, read on 28 October 2026 from the Maverick, Hewes and Pathfinder websites. The builder lists draft without saying whether the engine is up or down, so treat each figure as a comparison within this one builder, not a running depth.
See flats boats, bay boats and other fishing boats for sale on Searchshop.
The comparison uses one builder group that makes both types, so the boat type is what changes rather than the builder. Maverick Boat Group builds Maverick technical poling skiffs, Hewes flats boats and Pathfinder bay boats, and each brand's website lists length, draft, approximate weight with an engine, fuel capacity and maximum horsepower for its 2027 models in the same format.
Every figure here comes from those three websites, read on 28 October 2026. Nothing comes from a sea trial or a test ride. The weights are the builder's approximate figures with a named engine, which differs from boat to boat, so read them as a guide to size rather than an exact comparison. The lineup pages do not list deadrise, so hull angles are not compared.
The flats boats here float in less water than the bay boats, and the Maverick skiffs float in the least. Maverick lists 6 inches for the 17 HPX-S, 8 inches for the 17 HPX-V and 9 inches for the 18 HPX-V with an F150 engine.
- Hewes: 11 inches for the Redfisher 16 and 10 inches for the Redfisher 18. Hewes says the Redfisher 16 floats in 11 inches of water.
- Pathfinder: 12 inches for the 2300 Tournament, 13 inches for the 2200 Hybrid, 14 inches for the 2400 Tournament and 17 inches for the 2700 Tournament and 2800 Hybrid.
The two types meet in the middle. The Pathfinder 2300 Tournament is listed 1 inch deeper than the Hewes Redfisher 16 and 2 inches shallower than the Hewes Redfisher 21. Pathfinder says the 2300 Tournament has a stepped hull and a standard 6-inch jackplate, and that there is no bay boat more technical or specialized for shallow water angling.
The Pathfinder bay boats here are heavier and carry more fuel and power than the 16- to 18-foot Maverick and Hewes flats boats.
| Model |
Weight, approx. with engine |
Maximum power |
| Maverick 17 HPX-S |
1,175 lb with an F70 |
70 hp |
| Maverick 17 HPX-V |
1,250 lb with an F70 |
90 hp |
| Maverick 18 HPX-V |
1,460 lb with an F150 |
150 hp |
| Hewes Redfisher 16 |
1,700 lb |
115 hp |
| Hewes Redfisher 18 |
1,900 lb with an F115 |
150 hp |
| Hewes Redfisher 21 |
2,850 lb |
350 hp |
| Pathfinder 2200 Hybrid |
3,275 lb with an F150 |
250 hp |
| Pathfinder 2300 Tournament |
3,075 lb with a VF250 |
300 hp |
| Pathfinder 2400 Tournament |
4,100 lb with an F300 |
350 hp |
| Pathfinder 2700 Tournament |
4,934 lb with a 425XTO |
450 hp |
| Pathfinder 2800 Hybrid |
7,150 lb with twin 300s |
700 hp |
Fuel follows size. The Maverick and Hewes 16- to 18-foot flats boats carry 19 to 32 gallons. The Pathfinder bay boats start at 61 gallons on the 2300 Tournament and 65 gallons on the 2200 Hybrid, and reach 182 gallons on the 2800 Hybrid. Pathfinder lists the 2700 Tournament at 95 or 126 gallons.
Weight also decides what you need to tow. The 16- to 18-foot flats boats here are listed at 1,175 to 1,900 lb with an engine, against 3,075 to 7,150 lb for the Pathfinder bay boats, before a trailer, fuel and gear. Check those figures against your tow vehicle's ratings. Hewes says the Redfisher 16 can still fit in your garage.
The builder describes its Maverick boats as technical poling skiffs and its Hewes boats as flats boats, and its Pathfinder bay boats as fishing boats with, on the Hybrid models, family-friendly features such as the 2400 Hybrid's seating for 8.
- Maverick: calls its boats technical poling skiffs. It describes the 17 HPX-V as deadly quiet and precise on the pole, and the 18 HPX-V as the ultimate guide boat or three-person technical poling skiff.
- Hewes: says the Redfisher 16 can be easily poled or fished with a trolling motor, and offers a backrest and step built into the poling tower of the Redfisher 18 as an option.
- Pathfinder: describes its Tournament models as built for anglers who put fishability, performance and efficiency first, and its Hybrid models as combining fishing with family-friendly features. The 2400 Hybrid has dedicated seating for 8 and a standard 38-gallon livewell, and the 2700 Tournament has nearly 70 gallons of standard livewell space.
The Hewes Redfisher 16 and 18 start lower than any Pathfinder bay boat priced here, on the builder's own 2027 starting prices. Each price below is the builder's starting price with the engine it names.
- Hewes Redfisher 16: from $47,748 with a VF90LB.
- Hewes Redfisher 18: from $55,295 with a VF115LB.
- Hewes Redfisher 21: from $78,731 with a VF250XB.
- Pathfinder 2200 Hybrid: from $69,002 with a Yamaha F150XC.
- Pathfinder 2300 Tournament: from $89,111 with a Yamaha VF250LB.
- Pathfinder 2400 Tournament: from $104,187 with a Yamaha F250XB.
- Pathfinder 2700 Tournament: from $141,175 with a Yamaha 300XSB.
The Maverick model pages did not show a price, so Maverick skiffs are not priced here. Ask each dealer for an out-the-door figure that names the engine, trailer, freight, prep, fees and taxes before you compare.
The Hewes Redfisher 21 sits between the two types in this lineup. Hewes calls it a backcountry and nearshore icon, rates it for up to 350 hp with a standard jackplate, and lists it at 21 ft 6 in with a 14-inch draft and 50 gallons of fuel. That is deeper than the other Hewes and Maverick boats here, and close to the 12- to 14-inch Pathfinder 2200 Hybrid, 2300 Tournament and 2400 Tournament.
The word hybrid can mislead. Pathfinder uses Hybrid as the name of its bay boat line with family-friendly features, such as the 2200 Hybrid and 2800 Hybrid. Read the specifications rather than the model name when you shortlist.
A flats boat suits the angler who wants to pole the shallowest water, and a bay boat suits the angler who wants more fuel and more power. On the builder's figures above:
- The shallowest water and sight fishing from the pole: a Maverick skiff, listed at 6 to 9 inches of draft.
- A flats boat that also covers ground: a Hewes Redfisher 16 or 18, listed at 10 to 11 inches with 31 or 32 gallons of fuel.
- Nearshore as well as backcountry: the Hewes Redfisher 21, which Hewes describes for both.
- A bay boat for the shallowest water: the Pathfinder 2300 Tournament, listed at a 12-inch draft, the shallowest Pathfinder here.
- Family days as well as fishing: a Pathfinder Hybrid, such as the 2400 Hybrid with dedicated seating for 8.
- The most fuel: the Pathfinder 2800 Hybrid, with 182 gallons, the largest tank in this comparison.
For more on bay boats, read best bay boats and center console vs bay boat, or the fishing boat buying guide. When you have a shortlist, compare boats for sale from dealers on Searchshop.
The flats boats here are listed at 6 to 11 inches of draft. Maverick lists 6 inches for the 17 HPX-S, 8 inches for the 17 HPX-V and 9 inches for the 18 HPX-V with an F150, and Hewes lists 10 inches for the Redfisher 18 and 11 inches for the Redfisher 16. The builder does not say whether the engine is up or down, so ask the dealer about running depth with your engine and load.
In this builder's 2027 lineup, the Hewes Redfisher 16 and 18 start lower than the Pathfinder bay boats priced here. The Redfisher 16 starts from $47,748 and the Redfisher 18 from $55,295, against $69,002 for the Pathfinder 2200 Hybrid and $89,111 for the 2300 Tournament, each with the engine the builder names. Ask dealers what else the price includes.
In this lineup, Hybrid is a Pathfinder model name, so check the specifications rather than the name. Pathfinder says its Hybrid bay boats combine its angler-driven design with family-friendly features. A boat that sits between a flats boat and a bay boat in this lineup is the Hewes Redfisher 21, which Hewes calls a backcountry and nearshore boat.
