Independently and still Brunson-family owned after 50 years, Bay Rider Boats manufactures inshore and offshore boats from 21 to 27 feet in its Skiff, Bay Boat, and Offshore Center Console series.
The Wilson, North Carolina-based company’s hulls feature American-manufactured Polynt Premium gel coats and Ineos and AOC resins, and fiberglass products including biaxial and stitched combo mats, each matched to location and task.
Fuel tanks are foamed-in, with drain channels within the foam to avoid closed compartments that could hold water next to the tank. Fish and storage boxes are also foam-backed to keep drinks and fish cold. Closed-cell foam elsewhere provides safety and sound dampening.
Bay Riders provide easy access to anything in and on the boat. Each vessel goes through a 212-point inspection, and carries a 10-year transferable warranty. Eight color options range from white to coastal sage to thunderstorm grey.
Bay Rider 269 Bay
A hard-core, solidly built fishing machine, the 269 Bay offers low freeboard aft for angling access. With its low, 16-inch draft with a 350 hp outboard (one inch deeper with a 450), it’s at home fishing both bays and offshore.
The bow of this hybrid bay boat is roomy, with seating adaptable for comfortable perches or creating space to fish. That forward area contains a pair of 270-quart fish box/coolers, a 416-quart center storage box, and a 220-quart storage box within the forward step.
At the helm are a pair of 12-inch Garmin multifunction displays. Garmin EmpirBus digital switching and keyless engine starting are standard features. The console houses an enclosed head.
The 269 Bay has a pair of eight-foot fish boxes within the sole. The standard hardtop includes rocket launcher rod holders, a bow sunshade and spreader lights. A 45-gallon livewell within the console-front seat is standard, as is a 22-gallon well in the transom. An additional 45-gallon livewell in the leaning post is optional.
The deck of the 269 Bay is self-bailing, and its gunwale rod holders drain onto the deck and overboard, not into the bilge.
The recommended 450 hp outboard power (available as single or twin Yamahas) is set back six inches from the transom with a standard jack plate (two for twins), launching the 269 Bay quickly onto plane, where it can hit 60-plus mph.
Editor’s Tip
The 269 Bay’s unique, family-friendly bow layout features four removable bowrider backrests and two more forward-facing seats on the chaise lounge in front of the console that rests atop a massive, standard 45-gallon livewell. -Alan Jones
Performance Data
- Test Power: Yamaha 450 hp XTO Offshore
- Test Props: Outboard 16 3⁄8” x 21”
- Test Load (incl. fuel and crew): 700 lb. fuel & crew
- Test Speed: 32.6 MPH @ 3500 RPM
- Max Range: 258.3 mi.
Specifications
| LOA: | 26’3″ |
| Beam: | 9’3″ |
| Fuel Capacity: | 103 gal. |
| Dry Weight With Power: | 4,200 lb. |
| Max HP: | 450 |
| Powered By: | Yamaha |
Bay Rider Boats – Wilson, North Carolina; bayriderboats.com
