Sportsman 227 Bay Boats For Sale

The Sportsman Masters 227 bay boat is a 22-foot-5-inch hybrid that runs shallow enough for backwater flats yet handles calm offshore runs to the reefs. It carries an 8-foot-4-inch beam, 16 degrees of deadrice at the transom, and a draft of about 14 inches that drops near 12 inches with the jack plate raised. The layout splits cleanly between fishing and family use: two 25-gallon live wells in the transom, a large bow casting deck, and a rear bench seat, with an eight-person capacity. Shoppers looking at Sportsman Boats 227 listings will find it positioned as a flats-capable bay boat that still works as a day boat for the family.

Performance on the Sportsman 227 bay boat with a Yamaha 200 reaches a top speed of well over 45 mph, with cruising around 30 to 32 mph. At cruise the boat averages roughly 3.8 miles per gallon, and on a 60-gallon fuel tank that works out to a maximum range near 200 miles. Larger power is available, including a Mercury 250 Verado, and trim tabs flatten the bow on takeoff so there is barely any rise. A 10-inch anodized-aluminum setback jack plate is part of the package for shallow-water running and fuel economy.

The console is wide enough to mount twin Garmin MFDs, a rarity among 22-foot bay boats and useful for watching depth in the backwaters. Newer builds carry a Garmin 1243 xsv 12-inch GPS/sonar combo with a GT24 chirp through-hull transducer rated at 350 watts, plus a Garmin VHF 115 radio. Audio comes from a Garmin Fusion Apollo head unit paired with eight JL Audio speakers. The helm has a tilt position with a stainless steering wheel, two cubbies with wireless phone chargers, and an M Power digital switching system with a custom 12-function keypad that replaces traditional toggle switches. Electrical components run through the Boat in a Box 2.0 rigging system on removable boards, fed by a dual-battery setup.

At the bow, the casting deck uses recessed Gemlux hardware for an obstruction-free surface, with lockable rod storage for up to 10 rods on each side, an oversized anchor locker with a pull-up cleat, a center insulated fish box, and a step storage box. A 13-gallon freshwater tank feeds a wash-down hookup. Optional bow seating cushions and a sun pad filler convert the deck to a lounge. The rear deck was extended aft and the splashwell removed to open up casting room; it includes under-gunwale rod racks, raw water wash-down, cockpit bolster cushions, and a center two-person bench whose seat flips up for access to the bilge.

The Masters 227 is built with the SportTech composite process using no wood, carries a transferable 10-year limited hull warranty, and is NMMA certified to ABYC standards. Notable options include a Garmin Kraken 36-volt trolling motor with 100 pounds of thrust that links to the chart plotter, a slide-out tray sized for a Yeti 65 cooler under the leaning post, underwater lights, an enclosed console head with porta-potty, and a Seakeeper Ride system that reduces pitch, roll, and yaw. Buyers comparing a Sportsman Masters 227 bay boat for sale should confirm engine choice, fuel capacity, and whether the trolling motor and electronics upgrades are fitted.