Quick Answer
G3 bay boats are all welded aluminum bay hulls built by G3 Boats, which is owned by Yamaha. The Bay 22 DLX and Bay 20 DLX are the two models most Texas coast anglers ask about. Both offer the durability advantages of aluminum construction over fiberglass, the tight Yamaha integration that comes with the G3 factory package, and value pricing that undercuts most fiberglass bay boats at the same length. New G3 bay boats in Texas typically run forty to sixty thousand dollars fully rigged. Big D Marine and Powersports stocks G3 bay boats at our Hitchcock location on the Galveston Bay side and our Huntsville flagship.
Why the Aluminum Bay Boat Category Exists
Most Texas anglers who ask about bay boats default to thinking about fiberglass. Sea Pro, Blazer Bay, Wellcraft, Key West, and other fiberglass brands dominate the visible bay boat market on the Gulf Coast. But if you spend serious time fishing oyster reefs, shell bottom, or the back marshes of Galveston Bay and Trinity Bay, you have probably watched a fiberglass hull take damage that ends the day early.
That is where the aluminum bay boat category earned its place. All welded aluminum construction shrugs off strikes that would crack gel coat. Aluminum bay boats also weigh less than comparable fiberglass hulls, which means smaller outboards get the same performance and fuel economy runs better. And the lifetime maintenance cost is lower because aluminum does not absorb water, blister, or need major gel coat repair over the years.
For the broader Texas bay boat comparison including fiberglass alternatives, see our companion posts Best Fishing Boat for Texas Bays and Best Boats for Galveston Bay Fishing. This guide focuses on G3 bay boats specifically.
The G3 Bay Boat Lineup
G3 Bay 20 DLX
The Bay 20 DLX is the entry point into the G3 bay boat lineup. At approximately 20 feet long with an 8 foot beam, it fishes two to three anglers comfortably and handles the middle Galveston Bay water where most Texas coast anglers spend their time. See the full G3 lineup on our G3 Boats page.
Bay 20 DLX highlights:
- Length: approximately 20 feet
- Beam: 8 feet
- Fuel capacity: 40 gallons
- Maximum horsepower: 150
- Typical rigging: Yamaha F150
- Best fit: middle bay fishing, two to three anglers, buyers who want value with G3 quality
G3 Bay 22 DLX
The Bay 22 DLX is the flagship G3 bay boat. At approximately 22 feet long with an 8 foot 6 inch beam, it steps up to serious main bay capability while retaining shallow water access that fiberglass bay boats of similar length cannot match.
Bay 22 DLX highlights:
- Length: approximately 22 feet
- Beam: 8 feet 6 inches
- Fuel capacity: 50 gallons
- Maximum horsepower: 250
- Typical rigging: Yamaha F200 or F250 SHO
- Best fit: main Galveston Bay, three anglers, coastal cruising plus fishing versatility
Why G3 Bay Boats Come as Yamaha Packages
G3 Boats is a wholly owned subsidiary of Yamaha Motor Corporation. Every G3 bay boat is engineered from the outset around a Yamaha outboard, tested as a complete package, and delivered with tight factory integration that shows up as smoother throttle response, cleaner wiring, and matched gauges. That parent company relationship is a real ownership advantage over the years. Current Yamaha outboard pricing is on our Yamaha outboard pricing page and the full Yamaha lineup is on the Yamaha brand page.
Where G3 Bay Boats Win
- Aluminum durability. All welded construction shrugs off oyster, shell, and shallow strikes that damage fiberglass hulls.
- Yamaha integration. Factory rigged Yamaha package means fewer nagging issues over the years.
- Lighter weight. Smaller outboards deliver comparable performance to heavier fiberglass hulls, which improves fuel economy.
- Lower maintenance. Aluminum does not absorb water, blister, or need major gel coat repair.
- Value pricing. G3 bay boats typically run less than comparable fiberglass options at the same length.
- Resale value. G3 branded boats hold strong resale in the Texas market thanks to Yamaha association.
Where G3 Bay Boats Give Ground
- Ride quality in wind chop. Fiberglass bay boats like Sea Pro 219 or Wellcraft 222 run softer through Galveston Bay afternoon chop than comparable aluminum hulls.
- Interior finish. Fiberglass bay boats offer a more premium interior look and feel; aluminum bay boats prioritize function over finish.
- Top end speed. Fiberglass hulls at the same length usually top out faster with the same horsepower.
The cross shop against fiberglass usually comes down to how you value durability versus ride quality. For pure fiberglass options see Sea Pro, Blazer Bay, and Wellcraft. For aluminum alternatives to G3 see Excel Bay Pro Elite.
G3 Bay Boat Pricing in Texas
Rough G3 bay boat price bands:
- G3 Bay 20 DLX with Yamaha F150 and trailer: forty to forty six thousand rigged.
- G3 Bay 20 DLX with electronics package and premium options: forty six to fifty two thousand.
- G3 Bay 22 DLX with Yamaha F200 and trailer: fifty to fifty six thousand.
- G3 Bay 22 DLX with Yamaha F250 SHO and full electronics: fifty six to sixty five thousand.
- Pre owned G3 bay boats: mid thirties to mid forties for well maintained recent model years.
Who Should Buy a G3 Bay Boat
Pick G3 bay if any of these describe you:
- You fish oyster reefs, shell bottom, or back marshes where fiberglass takes damage.
- You want the Yamaha factory package integration.
- You value long term durability and lower lifetime maintenance cost.
- You want a bay boat that will handle 15 to 20 years of Texas coast fishing.
- Your budget is tighter than a comparable fiberglass bay boat allows.
Consider a fiberglass bay boat if:
- Ride quality in wind chop is your top priority.
- You mainly fish open main bay water rather than shallow oyster.
- You value the more premium interior finish that fiberglass typically delivers.
- You plan to sell the boat within three years and want the broadest resale buyer pool.
See the full aluminum boat brand comparison in our companion post Best Aluminum Fishing Boats for Texas Lakes.
Where to See G3 Bay Boats in Person
Our Hitchcock location on the Galveston Bay side is the primary G3 bay boat destination for Texas coast buyers. Our Huntsville flagship on State Highway 19 also carries G3 bay boats for buyers who prefer the flagship location. Our I 45 Huntsville location handles pre owned inventory when available. See current stock on the new inventory page.
Financing, Trade In, and Service
G3 bay boats finance well because of the Yamaha association and strong resale. Pre qualify with a soft credit check on our boat financing page. Trade in valuation on our trade in page. Service after the sale via our certified service department handles hull work, Yamaha outboard service, and electronics installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are G3 bay boats?
G3 bay boats are all welded aluminum bay hulls built by G3 Boats, which is owned by Yamaha. The lineup includes the Bay 22 DLX and Bay 20 DLX models, designed for Texas Gulf Coast bay fishing where oyster, shell, and shallow marsh water damage fiberglass hulls. G3 bay boats come as complete Yamaha packages from the factory.
Is a G3 bay boat better than a fiberglass bay boat?
It depends on how you fish. G3 aluminum bay boats win for durability, oyster reef access, and lower ownership cost over the years. Fiberglass bay boats like Sea Pro, Wellcraft, and Blazer Bay win for ride quality in open water chop and top end speed. For anglers who fish oyster heavy water or the back marshes of Galveston Bay, G3 aluminum is often the smarter long term pick.
How much does a G3 bay boat cost in Texas?
New G3 bay boat prices in Texas typically start around forty thousand dollars for the Bay 20 DLX with a Yamaha F150, and run up to sixty thousand for the Bay 22 DLX fully rigged with a Yamaha F200 or F250. Pricing depends on outboard choice, electronics package, and trailer configuration.
Where can I buy a G3 bay boat in Texas?
Big D Marine and Powersports is an authorized G3 Boats dealer with locations in Huntsville, I 45 Huntsville, and Hitchcock on the Galveston Bay side. Our Hitchcock location on the coast is the primary destination for G3 bay boat buyers. We stock both models new, plus pre owned inventory as available.
What outboard is best for a G3 bay boat?
G3 bay boats come as factory Yamaha packages, and Yamaha is the natural choice because G3 is owned by Yamaha. The G3 Bay 20 DLX rigs well with a Yamaha F150. The G3 Bay 22 DLX pairs well with a Yamaha F200 or F250 SHO for stronger performance in Texas bay chop and longer runs. Contact us for a quote.
Ready to Look at a G3 Bay Boat
Come by our Hitchcock or Huntsville location for a walkthrough. Browse current stock on our inventory page or start at the Big D Marine homepage.
