Hell’s Bay Boatworks Introduces the Estero: A Purpose-Built 24’10” Bayboat for Serious Inshore Anglers

Hell’s Bay Boatworks, a Titusville, Florida builder known for high-end skiffs, has launched its first bayboat, the Estero. Measuring 24 feet, 10 inches, the Estero was developed in close collaboration with the company’s pro staff and professional fishing guides to refine the bayboat as a precision tool for inshore and near-shore fishing. Owners Chris and Wendi Peterson, who have led the company since 2006, focused on translating the same fishing-driven design attention found in their skiffs into a versatile bayboat platform.

Design Priorities: Quiet, Stable, and Fish-Focused

From the outset the Estero was engineered to keep anglers comfortable and undetected while fishing. The hull and outfitting prioritize quiet operation, an important advantage when stalking wary inshore species. Walking the boat from bow to stern with a rod in hand is straightforward: the side decks are intentionally broad and unobstructed to allow easy movement, secure footing, and efficient casting or landing fish.

Livewell capacity and plumbing were also treated as core design elements. The Estero carries a 57-gallon livewell that is plumbed to a dedicated sea chest. “There’s not many bayboats out there with a good functional sea chest on them,” says Chris Peterson, highlighting the value of dependable livewell circulation for keeping bait and catch healthy throughout a day on the water.

Hull Characteristics and Handling

With 15 degrees of deadrise the Estero strikes a balance between soft, forgiving ride and efficient inshore performance. That hull angle provides predictable handling in choppy conditions, allowing the boat to run confidently in heavy, sharp white-capped chop commonly encountered inshore. The bow profile is designed to be tall enough to give a measure of dryness when anchoring out or when navigating larger waves near inlets, yet not so tall that it complicates trolling motor use or casting from the bow.

Practical Layout and Weight Distribution

The Estero’s beam measures 8 feet, 6 inches and the hull draws roughly 13 inches, dimensions that aid shallow-water access without sacrificing stability. The boat carries 80 gallons of fuel, and Hell’s Bay located the tank centrally. Keeping the fuel tank in the center helps maintain a consistent center of gravity whether the tank is full or near empty, which stabilizes handling and performance across varying loads.

Power Options and Performance

Hell’s Bay expects a 300-horsepower outboard to be the most popular choice with Estero buyers, while the boat is rated to accept up to 400 horsepower. In testing with a 300-hp Yamaha outboard the Estero reached a top speed of about 58 mph, with comfortable cruise speeds in the mid-30s to around 40 mph—numbers that provide fast transit to fishing grounds while leaving a sensible margin for fuel economy and handling.

Pricing, Availability and Contact

The Estero is offered with a fully equipped power package and trailer; the base package featuring an F300 outboard and trailer is priced at $110,000. For more information or to arrange a sea trial, contact Hell’s Bay Boatworks by phone at (321) 383-8223. The company can provide details on options, rigging, and dealer availability.

This article originally appeared in the September 2016 issue.