1989 Mako 22.8 cuddy

You can tell this classic Mako was built in the late ’80s just by the heft of the glass and the thickness of the hardware. The 22.8 carries its beam well forward, so you’ve got a solid, secure feel when working the bow or setting the anchor. That low, uncluttered foredeck makes it easy to chase a fish around the boat without tripping over hatches and gizmos. Drainage is old-school and effective, with deep scuppers that clear quickly when you ship a little green water. Visibility from the helm is excellent thanks to the sheer line and windshield height, and the boat tracks straight even at slower trolling speeds, so you’re not constantly sawing at the wheel.

In this region, you need a hull that can shrug off a surprise chop yet still float comfortably in the shallower edges where bait stacks up, and the 22.8 does that well. Its size makes trailering to different ramps realistic, opening up reefs, passes, and back bays without needing a slip. The cuddy gives a dry spot for gear when weather turns or for kids to duck out of the sun on long days. With a single outboard, it’s economical to run and straightforward to maintain, ideal for boaters who want offshore-capable confidence without the complexity of a larger twin-engine rig.