Leaner, Meaner Hard-Charging Light Tackle Fishing Machine

By Capt. Robert Smith

Hydra-Sports put its popular 23 Bay Bolt on a diet and did a major update to come out with a hard-charging heavy duty fishing machine for light tackle bay fishing sports enthusiasts. They kept the stable beam and sporty running surfaces, but changed just about everything else from the stringers to the deck and center console.

Starting at the bow

The gunwale tops are wide enough for an optional trolling motor. The trolling motor package includes pre-wiring for a 24volt system, charging system and additional battery trays under the helm. In the forward casting deck, there are three lockers: the forward locker has fair leads for the anchor lines to pass through the lid and still close the lid all the way. In the center locker, the Bay Bolt features a handy dedicated space for a casting net bucket with room around it for other dry storage.

Continuing aft, there is a 15 gallon baitwell/pitchwell with 800 gph pump and LED light. The port and starboard bow lockers have rod storage inside and can be equipped with optional cushions for more family-friendly features and between these lockers is an insulated fish locker to store your catch until you get back to the docks. A convenient optional feature is the Frigid Rigid console cooler seat in front of the helm.

Walkways beside the helm offer plenty of room to work fish and get someone to help with a net or gaff. Gunwale tops have aggressive grip surfaces and pop-up cleats with two rod holders in the aft half. The center console has a sturdy stainless grab rail on the sides and on the port side, our test model came with the charging cord lead port, four vertical rod holders, and courtesy floor lighting. Over on the starboard side is a concealed coiled washdown hose and four additional vertical rod holders.

At the Helm

The helm itself is surrounded by a frameless windshield for excellent visibility and the helm top is strong enough to stand on it to spot fish. The vertical face of the dash is tilted slightly for good view of all the instruments. There is a lot of space available for extra gear and our test boat was equipped with the Raymarine A65 electronics package and a Raymarine 54 VHF radio to the right of this panel. In the center was a Richie compass with the rocker switches and associated push button breakers arranged in a horizontal line behind the wheel. Handy 12 volt sockets were on each end of the switch panel for personal electronic gear power. Since our boat was powered with a Yamaha outboard, we had digital gauges lined up vertically on the left side of the panel. Steering was a custom aluminum tilt hydraulic wheel with speed knob. Our boat was also equipped with the optional Jackplate system with control lever on the left side of the wheel. Twin stainless drink holders are to the right of the wheel along with a lockable glovebox for your wallet and fishing licenses. Beneath the helm is plenty of room for all batteries including the trolling motor batteries. The helm seat is a comfortable leaning post with removable seat back that fits into the seat bottom. Below the leaning post seat is the carry-on cooler. The sturdy helm seat prevents you from opening the lid very far, but you can easily get your drinks and a snack out.

Fishing Amenities

A hatch in the sole aft the helm seat allows easy access to the plumbing and fuel water separators. Under the aft casting deck are tackle organizers on both the port and starboard sides. In the center is a 32 gallon livewell/releasewell with 1100 gph pump, aerator and light. The cushion on top is on sail tracks for easy removal to expand the casting deck. Topside on the port is a large dry storage box and on starboard is another with removable bin so you can get to lines going to the outboard.

Specifications and Performance

The Hydra-Sports 23 Bay Bolt measures 22’10” length overall with a beam width of 8’10”. With a standard 150-hp engine, she weighs about 3,100lbs, has a 77 gallon fuel tank, and with the engine trimmed up, she slips into skinny water as little as 10”. This model is rated for up to 300-hp engines.

Testing in moderate chop, I found the 23 Bay Bolt easy to operate. While not bone-jarring, she did ride a bit hard. Some spray was felt on our test drive, yet as a bay boat, this model should serve you well. I found her best cruise speed to be around 26.5 mph for a range of 251 miles on a full tank. Her top speed registered 50.9 mph turning 5600 rpm.

For hardcore light tackle bay fishing, the 23 Bay Bolt from Hydra-Sports is a good choice to consider.

• Top speed for the Hydra-Sports 23 Bay Bolt is 50.9 MPH (81.9 KPH), burning 20.3 gallons per hour (GPH) or 76.84 liters per hour (LPH).


• Best cruise for the Hydra-Sports 23 Bay Bolt is 26.5 MPH (42.6 KPH), and the boat gets 3.62 miles per gallon (MPG) or 1.54 kilometers per liter (KPL), giving the boat a cruising range of 251 miles (403.95 kilometers).


• Tested power is 1 x 250-hp Yamaha 4-Stroke.

Hydra-Sports 23 Bay Bolt Standard and Optional Equipment

Marine Electronics
Autopilot
Fishfinder
GPS/Chart
Radar
Systems
Battery Charger/Converter
Trim Tabs
Washdown: Fresh Water
Washdown: Raw Water
Exterior Features
Hardtop	T-top
Outlet: 12-Volt Acc
Swim Ladder

= Standard = Optional