Onslow Bay Boats for Sale

Built to win a class

Brad Knight is a second-generation North Carolina boat builder who spent his weekends on the Southern Kingfish Association tournament trail. He noticed the SKA's small boat class was measured by waterline length, not overall length. In 2005 he started Onslow Bay Boatworks to build a 27-foot boat that could fish, and win, in the 23-foot class. The first 23 Tournament Edition went in the water in August 2007.

The company started in Hampstead and has also worked out of Wilmington. In 2020 it consolidated in Holly Ridge, where it is now at 400 Betty Taylor Wood Drive.

The boats

Onslow Bay builds center consoles in four sizes: the 27, 33, 37 and 41. The current models are the 27' OS and the 33', 37' and 41' TE (Tournament Edition). Each boat is spec'd with its owner. Onslow Bay sells direct, with no dealers.

That's useful when you're buying used. Because each boat was built to order, two of the same model can have very different layouts, power and electronics.

Spec sheet: the 27 Offshore Edition

Onslow Bay's current 27 Offshore Edition is 26'11" centerline with a 9'5" beam. It has a 24-degree transom deadrise, a 49.5-degree entry and a 5-degree reverse chine. It's rated for 700 hp, carries 212 gallons of fuel and weighs 4,500 lbs dry. The builder lists foam-core, vinyl-ester resin-infused construction with no wood, and a fuel tank that's foamed and glassed in place.

The older 23' Tournament Edition used the same 26'11" length and 9'5" beam. Salt Water Sportsman reviewed it in 2009 and listed 5,000 lbs, 600 hp max, 208 gallons of fuel and 24 degrees of deadrise. Price was $116,285 with twin 300 hp Mercury Verados.

A tank that's foamed and glassed in place is hard to inspect or replace. On an older boat, ask about fuel smells, water in the fuel and the tank's history.

What to check on a used Onslow Bay

Build sheet. Ask the seller for the original build spec. Since the builder sells direct, you may be able to confirm details with Onslow Bay.

Outboards. These boats usually carry twin or more outboards. Get the hours and service records for each, and have a mechanic check compression and the lower units.

Tournament use. Kingfish tournament boats get run hard and fast. Look for stress cracks around the console, T-top and deck hardware. Have a surveyor check the hull and deck.

Livewells and pumps. Tournament boats depend on livewells. Run every pump, livewell and washdown.

Electronics. Find out what's on the boat, how old it is, and how it was installed.

Saltwater wear. Look at the steering, trailer if there is one, and the electrical connections for corrosion.

Sea trial. Run it offshore if you can.