7 passengers max
18 - 30 ft long
Trailerable
A walkaround boat, often called a walkaround cuddy, is a fishing boat with a small cabin (a cuddy cabin) offering 360-degree fishability, thanks to an unobstructed passageway around the boat from the stern at the back to the bow at the front.
The best walkaround boats offer a combination of fishing amenities, secure access all around the perimeter of the boat, and a cabin with a berth and toilet for overnight stays, escaping the weather or securing gear.
The most popular walkaround boats range in size from 5.5 metres to 9 metres in length, but there are some models as long as 15 metres. Within the walkaround category there are many different designs; some are designed for speed while others are intended to cover long distances. Features can range from very basic to very luxurious. The key element, however, is that walkaround passageway that offers access all around the boat for fighting or landing a fish, dropping anchor or handling dock lines, or reaching a lounging area on the bow.
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Walkarounds
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Activities with Walkarounds
GREAT FOR Saltwater Fishing • Day Cruising
Walkaround boats are primarily fishing boats, and the design places a priority on an efficient, open cockpit in the rear of the boat with an easy-to-clean deck, livewell and baitwell, rod and tackle storage, and fishing and navigation electronics at the helm. The smallest walkaround models, from 5.5 to 6.7 metres, will have a cabin with room for just a berth and a portable toilet.
As walkaround models get larger, however, they can become more versatile, with room for seating and even a galley for entertaining in the cockpit, a larger cabin, and a padded sun lounge above the cabin in the bow area, all of which mean the walkaround can double as a fishing boat and a family cruiser. The largest walkaround models have space for a cabin with stand-up headroom, a full galley, an enclosed head (bathroom), and the cruising range and capability for adventure on big water and the open ocean.
Ownership Costs of Walkarounds
The cost of a new walkaround boat is directly related to its size and the level of amenities included with the boat. Small walkaround models are often designed to meet a lower price point and may have very basic angling features and cabin accommodations. As walkaround boats get larger, the price naturally increases, as do the features, with more deluxe appointments and navigation electronics.
When considering boat price, don’t forget the basic items you’ll need to get out on the water, including dock and anchor lines, an anchor, lifejackets and seat cushions, and other safety gear required in your province or for open-water use.
For a more definitive estimate on cost, be sure to utilize our Boat Loan Calculator to see what kind of boat you can afford.
Maintenance Costs
Maintenance costs are certainly a factor every potential boat owner needs to consider in advance. Be sure to check out the Maintenance pages in our Owning a Boat section, which will give you an idea of what’s involved. Most walkaround boats will be powered by an outboard motor.
Operation Costs
The key operating cost for any walkaround boat is going to be fuel, and that cost will be influenced by how often you use the boat and the boat’s size. A larger boat will require an engine or engines with more horsepower, which will naturally use more fuel. Other operating costs include annual registration and insurance, trailer registration if required in your province, and off-season storage if you can’t or don’t care to store the boat at home. Larger walkaround models are often kept in the water, which means renting slip space and considering marina fees if the dock is not at your home. Speaking of trailers, before making a purchase make sure your vehicle has a tow rating that can handle the weight of the boat and trailer you are considering.
Walkaround Boat Technology/Materials/Features
Because it’s primarily a fishing boat, the key features of a walkaround start with angling amenities and how efficiently they are arranged in the boat. Each owner will have a priority list for fishing features based on the kind of fishing they do and the waters they frequent, but that list may include a livewell, a baitwell, a fishbox for icing fish, a bait prep station with cutting board and tool storage, a washdown system to clean the cockpit, rod holders, rod and tackle storage, and fishing electronics.
The most basic cabin will have a V-shaped berth and a portable toilet. As the boat gets larger, so will the available cabin space, increasing headroom and possibly allowing room for a small table or even a separate bathroom (called the head on a boat).
The actual walkaround passway should be wide enough to make it easy to move forward and back on the boat, or to stand at the side of the boat to fight a fish. For security there should be a high railing surrounding the walkaround passway.
Larger walkaround models may have the option of adding a galley console in the cockpit, with a refrigerator, cooktop or grill, and a sink. This is a great feature for entertaining dockside.
In the most popular design in the 6-metre to 9-metre walkaround category, a walkaround boat looks a lot like a cuddy cabin cruiser with a passageway around the cabin area. The helm may be elevated slightly, which can create more space in the cabin area below for a second berth or gear storage. A nice feature on this style of walkaround is a tower (called a T-top) over the helm area with either a hardtop or a canvas top to provide shade. The tower can also incorporate fishing rod holders and grab handles for standing passengers.
Buyers often compare walkaround boats to centre console boats, which are both fishing boats with particular advantages. The centre console boat will have more room in the bow for fishing, while the walkaround has the advantage of the cabin. Some larger centre console models have room for a console spacious enough to house a cabin area and become a hybrid centre console/walkaround fishing boat. Another design is the pilothouse walkaround, which has a larger helm area over the cabin that is enclosed on three sides and covered with a hardtop. A pilothouse walkaround is popular in cooler climates and for fishing in cold-water areas.
Most walkaround boats have outboard motor power. Models up to a 6.4-metre walkaround will have a single outboard and larger offshore walkaround boats may have two or more outboards. There are some walkarounds with sterndrive power, which eliminates the outboard motors from the rear of the boat that can get in the way when fishing. Inboard-powered walkaround models are the largest boats in the category.
