New and Used Cuddy Cabin Boats for Sale

Cuddy cabin boats are compact boats with a small cabin to offer a space for overnight sleeping or protection from the elements on a day of fishing or cruising. Search for new and used cuddy cabin boats for sale of varying sizes, ages, and price tags, and then narrow it down with specific features, accessories, and specifications.

Main Characteristics of Cuddy Cabin Boats

Cuddy cabin boats are a versatile style, allowing for cruising, fishing, overnight adventure, or even towing watersports. They are characterized by their closed, below-deck V-shaped cabins—usually in the bow—that offer a place to sleep or escape inclement weather. As a style, cuddy cabin boats are broad-ranging, from 20-foot coastal fishing boats, to large runabouts, family weekenders, or robust offshore fishing models. What they all have in common, however, is the cabin space. While some cabins are a simple space for sleeping for two people, others are more spacious and include compact galleys and heads.

Types of Cuddy Cabin Boats

Fishing Cuddy Cabin Boats

Cuddy cabin boats lend themselves well to fishing, whether that’s inland and coastal, or more adventurous offshore expeditions. Some are small and inexpensive, with a simple V-shaped cabin in the bow and not much more, or can be much larger with a spacious cabin, small head, and meaty outboard engines. They will all have varying selections of angling accessories to suit the budget and abilities of the boat.

Cuddy Cabin Sports Boats

These ultra-fast machines are built for speed and not necessarily with accommodation and overnight comfort as a high priority, yet they certainly still qualify as cuddy cabins. Some models, however, can make for ideal weekend or overnight boats, with tV-shaped berths forward and space for a portable toilet.

Aluminum Cuddy Cabin Boats

While aluminum cuddy cabin boats aren’t commonplace, they do have a loyal following and make for robust yet lightweight fishing vessels. They’re particularly popular in the Pacific Northwest because they offer protection from the often changeable and unpredictable weather.

Cruising Cuddy Cabin Boats

While these resemble fishing cuddy cabin boats—and indeed there is often an overlap in the boat’s functionality—cruising models are designed with family adventures and entertaining in mind. From U-shaped seating areas with a dining table, to small galleys, cozy cabins, and more home comforts. Premium models might also be equipped with LED lighting, stereo systems, ski tow bars, and air conditioning. They differ from cabin cruisers in their size, with the larger cabin cruiser designed for longer or more comfortable overnight trips with more below-deck space and home comforts.

Best Cuddy Cabin Boat Brands

There is a broad choice of cuddy cabin brands to choose from, with each focusing on specific styles that we’ve seen above. Brands such as Smartliner and Arima, for example, offer a range of pocket cuddy cabin boats of around 19 to 23 feet in length. Designed predominantly for fishing or as simple runabouts, they offer angling accessories and a well-thought out, yet simple, design. Others such as Jeanneau, have more of a focus on cruising and leisure with their compact range of cuddy cabins.

When it comes to fishing, name brands such as Grady-White, Parker Boats and luxury brand Pursuit are packed with accessories needed for a day of offshore fishing, with the all-important cabin offering space for a rest, overnight stay, or protection from the elements. A completely different looking cuddy cabin boatcome from the performance brands such as Baja, Regal or even world-famous racing boat brand Cigarette.

Brands producing aluminum cuddy cabin boats include Silver Streak, who have a large line-up of styles including cabin boats ranging from 18 to 32 feet long, as well as Washington-based Weldcraft, who build compact aluminum fishing boats that fall into the category of both pilothouse boats and cuddy cabin boats. Mention can also be made of Swedish brand Alukin Aluminum Boats, whose larger models of their robust Cabin range offer accommodation for the whole family.

Why Choose a Cuddy Cabin Boat?

Cuddy cabin boats can offer a broad range of activities, from days or overnights on the water, to fishing expeditions, and even watersports. The presence of the small V-shaped cabin allows for extra storage, sleeping accommodation, or a place to escape the sun or rain. They’re ideal for small families looking for a trailerable boat that gives them a choice of recreational pursuits.

Why are Cuddy Cabin Boats Popular?

Cuddy cabin boats are popular thanks to their simple layout and often attractive prices compared to other cabin boats. They allow for a plethora of activities, including spending overnights aboard in the simple V-shaped cabin. They can be easily adapted to suit fishing, watersports, or weekend camping-style trips, and can be trailered to any launch site.

This article was written by Samantha Wilson in February 2024.