LOWE 20 BAY – A Great Companion for Your Fishing Trips!

LOWE 20 BAY Review

Price: From $40,918

Type: Bay boat

Overall length: 19’9″

Carrying capacity: 8 persons

What we like about it: Sensible space layout and great fishing are the main attractions of this boat.

What we don’t like about it: The boat is only good for traveling close to the shoreline and doesn’t travel to rough, deep waters.

Rating (4.65/5)

Featuring a center console design for estuarine, bay and inshore environments, the LOWE 20 BAY handles a wide variety of conditions, making this versatile vessel popular among a wide range of anglers.

The massive 30 gallon live well, 16 gallon bait well and standard MotorGuide® trolling motor provide a variety of specialized equipment for fishing activities and improve catching accuracy.

Below I will give a comprehensive overview of the LOWE 20 BAY in terms of how it drives, how it fishes, how the specs are laid out and how it compares to another similar version.

If there is anything else you would like to know about boats, please feel free to contact us.

Driving Experience

Traveling to more challenging places is a common pursuit for almost every fishing enthusiast, but sometimes you may have to fish only in small lakes around the area due to equipment limitations.

Recently, I was able to acquire a used bay boat, a Lowe 20 BAY, which is a boat that can be used for fishing offshore and along the shoreline. As soon as I mentioned the boat, I asked several of my buddies, who are my regular fishing buddies, to go out and fish with me, and we often go on trips together.

For this outing, I prepared well in advance, including boat maintenance and storage of various fishing gears and life-saving equipment, all waiting for the arrival of suitable weather.

The weather forecast indicated that Sunday would be a perfect day to go out, and the temperature would not be too high, so I believed it would be an opportunity for a pleasant outing. I immediately made an appointment with Don, Jarvis and a couple of other friends.

Sunday came quickly and it was certainly a very pleasant day. Even though the LOWE 20 BAY is a used boat, there wasn’t much wear and tear, and you could tell that the previous owner had taken care of it.

Everyone put their gear in the storage space below the deck of the boat, and luckily the boat’s greater storage capacity could accommodate more personal items.

Cockpit Details

I sat in the driver’s seat, and it was my first time to drive this type of boat. Although I had experience in driving bass boats and jon boats before, it was really my first time in a bay boat.

However, the boat was not very complicated to drive, and with the commonalities between the different types of boats, I was able to get the hang of it after briefly familiarizing myself with the functions of the various components.

I sat in the driver’s seat behind the center console, and first of all, I felt that the seat would be relatively high, probably designed to match the higher console, and I was able to have a wider view of the surrounding waters.

Secondly, this seat was very spacious in design, with a long strip that could even accommodate two people at the same time.

Lastly, the driver’s seat was also great, with a padded seat post with folding footrest to provide me with the maximum comfort possible while standing or riding.

The center console in front of me was also very noteworthy, with a sport steering wheel that supports angle adjustment depending on the driving height that different people are used to.

There was also a tachometer, speedometer and fuel gauge setup that clearly indicated the parameters while the boat was moving, and I could grasp this information by glancing at it lightly.

Fishing Experience

Based on the GPS and the fish finder’s instructions on the electronic display, I drove the boat to the suggested mooring spot.  

To be able to park the boat more precisely around the fish, I turned off the stern engine at the center console and used the bow trolling motor to slowly approach the target spot. The portable trolling motor was similar to those fitted to other fishing boats and did not make much noise when driven electrically.

We took out the pre-prepared tackle tray from the space at the front of the console, and there were also rods on either side of the console that were very easy to reach.

Although there were only two fishing chairs on the front and back decks of the boat, the spacious deck provided plenty of room for fishing. The tacit understanding between the old friends prompted us to spread out around the cabin and cast our rods and lines.

Soon, with a lot of experience, we hooked one after another. We placed our trophies in the inflatable live well at the stern, and the large 30 gallon capacity was able to handle even a good catch.

Specification

The LOWE 20 BAY attracts a lot of attention based on its quality performance. With the center console design, the captain is located in the center of the boat, with a great view enhancing driving safety and navigation.

The left and right sides of the console can keep up to six rods vertically positioned, and there is plenty of storage space in the front for tackle trays to get ready for fishing.

Plus the upholstery that lays in the front box of the console not only adds a seat, but the space in the bottom of the seat is able to act as a bait well, enough to keep the bait active.

The boat is also more than well equipped when it comes to the realization of the fishing function. The trolling motor in the bow avoids disturbing the fish as much as possible.

Two adjustable fishing chairs in the front and rear provide anglers with a more comfortable fishing experience, and even if there are more people fishing, the wide deck is enough to carry more people for the activity. 

The large 30 gallon livewell fully guarantees the activity of the prey, and the 16 gallon baitwell is crucial for the improvement of fishing efficiency.

Other Version

If you want a bay boat that’s a little bigger in size and the layout and configuration is really similar to that of the LOWE 20 BAY, then take a look at the LOWE 22 BAY in the same series.

There are few differences between the two boats in terms of layout and features, but the main difference is in the size. The overall length of the LOWE 22 BAY has been increased to 21’9″, which doesn’t increase the maximum passenger capacity, but it does provide more space for everyone.

In addition, the LOWE 22 BAY’s maximum horsepower of 200HP has been upgraded, which ensures that the boat’s sailing speed is increased.

Of course, the increased performance will inevitably lead to an increase in the cost of boat building, and the starting price of the LOWE 22 BAY, compared to the 20 BAY, is more expensive by 3,000 U.S. dollars.

What we like about it

• The design of the center console gives the captain a better view to observe the surrounding situation and increases the safety of boating.
• Plenty of storage space exists on this boat, which can be used to store a variety of fishing gear and life-saving equipment.
• The shallow draft of the boat allows it to travel into some shallower waters.
• The design of the Trolling motor guarantees that the boat can be fished quietly and discreetly.
• Simpler systems are less costly for subsequent maintenance of the vessel.

What we don’t like about it

• The vessel is only suitable for passage along the edge of the coastline and is not well adapted to the harsh environment offshore.
• Moderate V-shaped hulls may lack in ride stability.

FAQ

1. How to buy a used bay boat?

Generally, you can look at the boat by communicating directly with the individual seller who is selling it through the trading website of the used boat.

Or if you don’t have much time to pick a boat yourself, you can authorize certain companies that sell used boats, inform them of your requirements, and let these companies screen the right boat for you.

2. What are bay boats used for?

Bay boats are functionally diverse and can be used not only for renewal and sightseeing, but are also particularly suited for fishing and other water activities.

Thanks to the bay boat’s V-shaped hull structure, it has the ability to cut through the water, allowing it to travel safely in slightly more complex waters. The wide deck design is ideal for both fishing and relaxing, providing plenty of space for activities.

Of course, some bay boats are equipped with specialized fishing equipment such as trolling motor and live well system to enhance the convenience of fishing.

3. What is a bay boat?

A so-called bay boat, as the name suggests, is a vessel that is suitable for navigating in offshore areas such as bays.

This, coupled with the vessel’s shallow draft feature, allows it to navigate shallow waters and reach places that are difficult for other vessels to reach. The vessel’s spacious deck and comfortable seating design make it ideal for leisure activities such as fishing.

LOWE 20 BAY Specs

Standard

Fuel Capacity	30 gal	113.56 l
Max HP Capacity	150 HP	111.85 kw
Max Weight Capacity	1,950 lb	884.50 kg
Beam	95″	241.30 cm
Chine Width	72″	182.88 cm
Cockpit Depth	24″	58.42 cm
Hull Gauge	.125″	3.18 mm
Transom Height	21.5″	54.61 cm
Overall Boat Length	19’9″	6.02m

options

Mercury® FourStroke

Mercury 115HP ELPT Pro XS CT 4S

Mercury 115HP ELPT Command Thrust FourStroke

Mercury 150L Pro XS FourStroke

Mercury 150HP L FourStroke

Video

Comparison Table

Boats	Deck	Maximum HorsepowerLimit	Maximum capacity Limit
Blue Wave 2000 Pure Bay	Overall length 19′ 7″	200 HP	6 persons
Skeeter SX210	Overall length 21′ 6″	200 HP	6 persons
NauticStar 214 Bay	Overall length 21′ 2″	200 HP	8 persons

Blue Wave 2000 Pure Bay VS LOWE 20 BAY

The Blue Wave 2000 Pure Bay and the LOWE 20 BAY are similar in size, but the former has a much better engine performance.

200HP of maximum horsepower gives the Blue Wave more driving power to further increase sailing speed. In terms of the driver’s seat, Blue Wave adopts a double sofa setup with adjustable armrests for a more comfortable ride.

However, the pure white interior of the Blue Wave is visually appealing, but in actual fishing applications requires frequent cleaning.

Skeeter SX210 VS LOWE 20 BAY

The Skeeter SX210 has won the hearts of many with its luxurious cabin and comfortable ride. Although slightly larger than the LOWE 20 BAY, the SX210 has no capacity advantage in terms of fishing capabilities.

With a 22 gallon live well, 14 gallon bait well, and a less spacious aft deck, the Skeeter SX210 may not be able to satisfy your quest for capacity.

Skeeter SX210 has done an excellent job in controlling the details. The armrests next to each seat ensure a safe ride and keep the passengers as stable as possible even when the boat is bumpy.

A special feature of this boat is the small armrest on the steering wheel, which allows you to maintain absolute control of the boat even when operating it with one hand.

All in all, both are good bay boats and I suggest you shop around for your needs.

NauticStar 214 Bay vs LOWE 20 BAY

If you favor a larger bay boat, take a look at the NauticStar 214 Bay, which features two live well systems located in the console and aft of the deck, giving it a capacity advantage.

The NauticStar 214 Bay’s 63 gallon fuel tank is more than double the capacity of the LOWE 20 BAY’s 30 gallon tank. This is very favorable for the boat’s range.

Additionally, the stepped bow deck side of this boat provides more storage space while raising the deck, which is very practical for those who have a lot of personal belongings.

Finally, the NauticStar may be even more user-friendly in the design of the driver’s seat, which features a reversible cushion to help the captain see his surroundings in a more elevated view.

Summary

If you are looking for a fishing powerful bay boat, then the LOWE 20 BAY is really a great choice. The captain’s control of the boat is achieved through the center console, which is very easy to maneuver.

Ample storage space in the cabin ensures the storage of various fishing gears and life-saving equipment.

Of course there is no denying that with the addition of the LOWE brand, this boat comes with a price premium to a greater or lesser extent.

If you’re looking for a boat with similar features, perhaps take a look at this Bay Whisperer 20, and we’ve got a very competitive price for you. Feel free to click through to our homepage for more details if you’re interested.