The Storybook Freighter

1997 Florida Bay Coaster 35 "WaterLilly" - $179,000

If you want to finish the Great Loop and blend into the sea of white fiberglass at every marina, buy a Sea Ray. But if you want to be the boat that everyone walks down the dock to photograph, you buy a Florida Bay Coaster.

“WaterLilly” isn’t just a boat; it’s a Jay Benford-designed piece of floating architecture. Built with the soul of a North Sea freighter but scaled down to a manageable 35 feet, this vessel solves the “boring boat” problem with aggressive charm. It’s tall, stout, and looks like it belongs in a Wes Anderson film, yet its 3’6” draft is purpose-built for the skinny waters of the Florida Keys and the ICW.

This isn’t a production boat popped out of a mold in ten days. It’s a steel-and-soul cruiser that has won “People’s Choice Best in Show” at TrawlerFest twice. Sold by the family behind the brand, this is a rare opportunity to own a piece of maritime folk art that is as capable as it is quirky. It’s the “Smart Money” choice for the cruiser who wants a vessel that holds it…