Best Small Cuddy Cabin Boats
The definition of a cuddy is simply that it’s a small cabin, but since size is a relative measure, two different boaters may have completely different definitions of what constitutes “small” in the first place. Still, most would agree that these boats fit the bill not just as cuddies, but as small cuddy cabin boats, too.
Arima
Arima boats are all on the diminutive side, and their largest model is a 21-footer. In the past, they had some even smaller cuddy cabin boats, but today they build just two lines, a series of 21-foot models and a series of 19 footers. All of them have cuddy cabins with a basic V-berth and space for a portable MSD. Some of the models offer cabin enclosures for the helm deck as well, and some also offer comfort features like a freshwater system, integrated coolers, and headliners.
Arima 19 Sea Chaser Yellowtail Edition. Arima photo
Smartliner
Polish boatbuilder Smartliner has one of the widest range of small cuddy cabin boats around, including eight models from 19 to 23 feet. Most are designed for fishing but there’s also the Passenger 23, a unique model with triple-deep seating behind the helm and passenger’s chairs, and can accommodate up to 11 people. “Fisher” models have pilothouse-like enclosures around the helm, plus a small stowage/berth area forward.
Smartliner Cuddy 19. Smartliner photo
Best Cuddy Cabin Sports Boats
Sports boats offer sleek looks and strong performance, and they can make for fun weekends and trips to new ports—if they have a cuddy cabin. In fact, few sports boats have much more than a simple cuddy when it comes to the belowdecks space, as weight is generally minimized to enable the best speeds possible for the horsepower.
Baja
Baja has three Outlaw models (the 36, 27, and 24 Outlaw), all of which are arguably cuddy cabin boats. The 24 Outlaw is a top-end cuddy cabin speed boat by anyone’s measure, with a simple V-berth housing a portable MSD and stowage below. Powered by a single 6.2L or 8.2L MerCruiser stern drive engine, stock boats run at speeds from the mid-60s to the mid-70s, providing hat-stripping thrill rides from one destination to the next.
Baja Outlaw 24. Baja photo
Cigarette
Despite building larger model boats, Cigarette’s high-performance 38’ Top Gun, 42’ X, and 515 Cigarette all fall into the category of cuddy cabin boats. While they certainly are finely finished and comfortable, down below you’ll find a simple V-berth, portable MSD, and center-facing seating. Remember, these boats are built for power and speed, not accommodations. Depending on the model, power, rigging, driver, and conditions, top speeds in the 80- to 90-mph range and even speeds breaking 100 mph are possible.
Cigarette 38 Top Gun. Cigarette photo
Best Cuddy Cabin Aluminum Boats
Aluminum boats with cuddy cabins are few and far between as compared to their fiberglass brethren, but in some areas, particularly the Pacific Northwest, they have a dedicated following. Expect to see models oriented mostly towards all-weather protection and fishing, with few cruising-styles among the best cuddy cabin aluminum boats on the market.
Silver Streak
Silver Streak builds aluminum boats that run the gamut, from waterfowl hunting models to jet boats to cabin boats . Models with cuddy cabins range from 32’ all the way down to an 18’6” model with a full cabin around the helm and bow. Even the smallest can be fitted with a diesel heater and portable MSD. Unlike many aluminum boats, most of Silver Streak’s models can come insulated for sound-dampening and climate control, and all are highly customizable with long lists of interior, exterior, fishing, and electronics options.
Silver Streak 24 Cuddy Cabin Swiftsure. Silver Streak photo
Weldcraft
Clarkston, Washington builder Weldcraft has two models in its Cuddy King line, a 260 and a 280. While either of these boats could accurately be described as pilothouse boats or fishing boats, they each have cabins that also clearly qualify as cuddies. Featuring seating, a dinette, and a V-berth in the cabin, they have full Alaskan bulkhead enclosures capping off the back for 360-degree protection from the weather. Options for onboard diesel heaters can extend your boating season into the chillier months of the year.
Weldcraft Cuddy King 260. Weldcraft photo
Best Cuddy Cabin Fishing Boats
Anglers often have priorities specific to their local fisheries that can be quite diverse in various regions, and just what makes for the best cuddy cabin fishing boats from one place to the next can be quite different. The aluminum cuddy cabin boats mentioned earlier, for example, will surely rank at the top if you do your fishing in the Pacific Northwest. To an Atlantic coast angler, however, those boats would be totally out of place. That said, no matter who you are nor how you fish, these cuddy cabin boats rate your attention.
Grady-White
Grady-White has long been known as a premium builder, and they made their mark in the world of cuddy cabin fishing boats long ago. Today, many people feel that their Adventure 218, Gulfstream 232, and Marlin 300 are some of the best fishing boats of this genre, period. While they have all the expected fishing features, these boats also boast a number of comfort and cruising features, so they can serve equally well for weekending aboard as for catching fish.
Grady-White Gulfstream 232. Grady-White Boats photo
Parker Boats
The Parker Sport Cabin lineup ranges from the 2120 SC to the 2820 XLD SC. These boats are designed and built for fishing, and all have wide-open cockpits with accessories like livewells, flush-mount rod holders, integrated fishboxes, and raw-water washdowns. The fully enclosed helmdeck cabins have seating and lower cabins have V-berths with MSDs and stowage. Parker also offers aft control options, so you can run the boat from the cockpit as well as at the helm station inside the cabin.
Parker 2820 XLD Sport Cabin. Parker Offshore photo
Best Affordable Cuddy Cabin Boats
Affordability is in the eye of the beholder, and a boat one person considers affordable may be looked at quite differently by someone else. Still, some boats seem to be priced more reasonably than others. Whatever your budget may be, there’s a good chance that one of these top builders has an affordable cuddy cabin boat that fits the bill for your needs.
Jeanneau
Although many people would associate the name Jeanneau with sailboats, they make a wide range of cuddy cabin powerboats that are priced quite reasonably for what they offer. The Leader and NC Weekender series, in particular, are great choices for the family boater looking for the best affordable cuddy cabin boats. What really sets these apart from the crowd is just how well they’re outfitted for extended stays aboard, with perks like galleys, dinettes, freshwater systems, heads, and multiple berths on most models.
Jeanneau NC 695 Series 2 Weekender. Jeanneau Photo
Regal
Regal is a very well-known boatbuilder with a wide spectrum of cabin boats, including the LS4C, 26 Express, 26 XO, and 28 Express. Some might even call the 33 Express and XO cuddy boats as well. While they aren’t “cheap,” they are priced in a very competitive manner. And in all of these cases, the boats get a heaping dose of perks like refreshment centers and wet bars, seats that convert into loungers, freshwater systems with showers and sinks, and booming stereo systems. On all but the smallest models, luxury-enhancing options like air conditioning, bow thrusters, and hot water heaters can be added—or left off to keep costs down. Whatever way you look at it, they offer a great bang for the buck.
Regal LS4C Sport Cabin. Regal photo
Best Luxury Cuddy Cabin Boats
What makes for luxury in a cuddy cabin boat? Comfort, period. And the best luxury cuddy cabin boats are top-shelf models with all the comforts of home.
Pursuit
Although they don’t follow the playbook for traditional cuddy cabin boats, Pursuit has a series of dual console models ranging from their 295 to the 365 that fit the definition of a cuddy cabin boat quite well; they simply locate the cabin inside of the portside passenger’s console, rather than capping off the bow. The starboard side helm console houses the head, and between the two areas you get all the comforts of home yet you also get the benefits of a forward bow cockpit. Speaking of comfort, on the Pursuits you also have opulent detailing, thick cushions with multi-density foam, JL Audio entertainment systems, LED accent lighting, and options for refrigerators, ski tow bars, and more.
Pursuit DC 295. Pursuit photo
Solara
A new brand from established builder Fluid Motion, LLC, Solara boats have a very unusual take on cuddy cabins. The cabin itself is inside of a combined helm station and side console, leaving a walkway to the open bow cockpit. This provides a spectacular amount of cabin space for a boat that can be called a bowrider as well as a cuddy cabin, both on the 25- and 31-foot models. Just as unusual, Solara fits these boats out with every luxury and comfort feature possible as standard equipment. Berths, galleys, outdoor electric grills, freshwater systems with transom showers, stereo systems, and even USB charging ports are all on the stock models and larger models come with air conditioning systems.
Solara S-310 CW. Solara photo
Which of these cuddy cabin boat brands might prove best for you and your family? That’s your call to make. But whichever you might find intriguing, rest assured that any of these will expand boating options to include overnighting or weekending aboard.
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