When I decided I wanted to buy a new boat I wasn’t sure the perfect boat for me existed. I have had the privilege of owning several nice boats over the years including a Grady White, Albemarle, Skeeter, Key West and Kencraft. I wanted a boat that I could fish for trout in the sound in the Outer Banks, NC but could also fish for cobia inshore in the ocean as well as fish in the Chesapeake Bay. I liked the idea of a bay boat but wanted a deeper vee to handle the rough conditions that often occur in the sound and ocean. Sometimes a slick calm day can change quickly and turn ugly in a matter of minutes. I did not want a full blown large center console as I often fish in shallow water and I needed a boat with a shallow draft. I started my search for a hybrid boat that could accommodate several different types of fishing techniques from casting to trout and red drum to sight fishing for cobia in the ocean to fishing along the bridge tunnel in the Chesapeake Bay. After several months of research, I found the Layton Bay 22 and decided to drive to Edenton to see one in person. I met with Doug and started the process of having one built.

 

The process was easy and it was a pleasure working with Doug. He made several recommendations for various things such as upgrading the trolling motor to a Power Pole brand and using lithium batteries which are both excellent and top notch. The boat is well built and beautiful. But the most amazing thing to me is the ride. When I picked up the boat, Doug’s father stopped by for a visit and we talked about the boat. He told me that he had been in the boat building business for decades and that this little boat had the best ride for its size of any boat that he had ever been on.  This was a pretty bold statement considering he had spent many years building Albemarles down the road in Edenton and I had previously owned one myself.

 

True to form, it didn’t take long for the sound to blow up one afternoon and it got rough quickly. I thought I was in for a pounding and a wet ride back to the dock. I could not believe it when the boat sliced effortlessly through the rough waters and I was completely dry. I was able to cruise right through the slop at nearly 30 mph and the boat never pounded once. Doug’s father was right, the ride is incredible and dry.  I have been on several larger center consoles that did not ride nearly as well and you got soaking wet. This boat really can do many things well and I could not be happier.

 

Greg  Bell

Courtland, VA