Avenger AV24 vs. AV26: A Buyer’s Guide to Choosing the Perfect Bay Boat
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Salty Bob
Last Updated:
October 18, 2025
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Avenger AV24 vs. AV26: A Buyer’s Guide to Choosing the Perfect Bay Boat
Post Author:
Last Updated:
Salty Bob
October 18, 2025
Avenger AV24 vs. Avenger AV26
When you’re in the market for a high-quality bay boat, the Avenger name is synonymous with performance and thoughtful design. Here at The Boat Place in Fort Myers, we often have customers comparing two of their most popular models: the AV24 and the AV26. On the surface, they look incredibly similar, but those subtle differences can completely change your experience on the water.
This guide isn’t about pushing you towards a bigger boat; it’s about helping you find the right boat. Let’s break down what makes each model special and help you decide which Avenger is perfectly suited to your style of boating.
.
.
The Avenger DNA: Shared Quality and Features
Before we dive into the differences, it’s important to know what makes both the AV24 and AV26 part of the same celebrated family. Both boats share:
- An 8′ 6″ beam, providing excellent stability at rest and a roomy feel.
- A very shallow 14″ draft, allowing you to get into the skinniest of backwaters where other boats can’t follow.
- A 15-degree deadrise hull, which is the sweet spot for a smooth, dry ride in a chop while still being stable while fishing.
- Premium construction and a host of standard fishing features, including multiple livewells, ample rod storage, and high-quality stainless steel hardware.
.
.
The Key Differences and What They Mean
When you compare Avenger bay boats, the primary difference between the Avenger AV24 and AV26 lies in their size, weight, and power. These distinctions define how each boat feels at the helm and which environment it’s built to dominate. While both share the same fishing-focused DNA, they are engineered for slightly different missions.
Length, Space, and Ride Quality:
The AV26 measures 26′ 2″, making it about 18 inches longer than the 24′ 8″ AV24. In the real world, this gives the AV26 noticeably more cockpit space and a smoother, more confident ride when running through open-water chop. The AV24, with its shorter hull, excels where agility is critical—it’s the ideal tool for maneuvering through tight mangrove channels and getting into skinny backwaters that a larger boat can’t reach.
Weight, Handling, and Stability:
The AV24’s lighter 2,800-lb dry weight makes it easier to tow and gives it a snappy, responsive feel at the throttle. In contrast, the 3,100-lb AV26 uses its extra mass to feel more planted and composed when seas get sloppy. You’ll feel that difference instantly: the AV24 is nimble and quick to plane, while the AV26 holds its line with authority in rolling waves.
Power, Performance, and Application:
Rated for up to 300 HP, the AV24 has plenty of power for thrilling hole shots and efficient performance on inshore runs. The AV26 is rated for a formidable 400 HP, delivering the extra torque and top-end speed that offshore anglers need for longer runs or when carrying a full crew and gear.
.
.
Model Overview
Why Choose the Avenger AV24? The Inshore Specialist
The AV24 is the perfect choice for the angler who prioritizes agility and shallow-water access above all else.
The Ideal AV24 Owner:
- Primarily an Inshore Angler: You spend most of your time fishing the flats, mangroves, and back bays of Southwest Florida. The AV24’s slightly smaller footprint and lighter weight make it incredibly nimble for navigating tight channels.
- Values Easy Trailering: You want a boat that is effortless to launch, retrieve, and tow without needing a heavy-duty truck.
- Needs a Versatile, Do-It-All Boat: While it excels inshore, the AV24 is still more than capable of heading out to nearshore reefs on a calm day, offering a fantastic balance for the angler who likes to do a bit of everything.
.
.
Why Choose the Avenger AV26? The Versatile Voyager
The AV26 takes the stellar platform of the AV24 and stretches it, adding a degree of offshore capability and comfort.
The Ideal AV26 Owner:
- Wants More Offshore Capability: You want the confidence to push further offshore to chase snapper, grouper, or even kingfish. The extra length and weight of the AV26 will provide a more comfortable and secure ride when the wind picks up.
- Often Fishes with a Crowd: You regularly have multiple friends or family members on board. The increased cockpit space on the AV26 is a significant advantage, giving everyone more elbow room to fish and relax.
- Seeking a “Bigger” Feel: You appreciate the ride and presence of a larger boat. The AV26 feels substantial under your feet and handles open water with more authority, making it a great family boat for cruising as well as a serious fishing machine.
.
.
Choosing The Right Avenger Boat For Your Needs
Ultimately, you can’t make a bad decision between these two models. Your choice comes down to being honest about how you’ll use your boat 90% of the time. Are you a dedicated backcountry angler who values maneuverability, or do you dream of having the flexibility to comfortably head offshore?
The best way to know for sure is to see them for yourself.
Ready to find your perfect fit?
.
Avenger AV24 vs. Avenger AV26
When you’re in the market for a high-quality bay boat, the Avenger name is synonymous with performance and thoughtful design. Here at The Boat Place in Fort Myers, we often have customers comparing two of their most popular models: the AV24 and the AV26. On the surface, they look incredibly similar, but those subtle differences can completely change your experience on the water.
This guide isn’t about pushing you towards a bigger boat; it’s about helping you find the right boat. Let’s break down what makes each model special and help you decide which Avenger is perfectly suited to your style of boating.
.
.
The Avenger DNA: Shared Quality and Features
Before we dive into the differences, it’s important to know what makes both the AV24 and AV26 part of the same celebrated family. Both boats share:
- An 8′ 6″ beam, providing excellent stability at rest and a roomy feel.
- A very shallow 14″ draft, allowing you to get into the skinniest of backwaters where other boats can’t follow.
- A 15-degree deadrise hull, which is the sweet spot for a smooth, dry ride in a chop while still being stable while fishing.
- Premium construction and a host of standard fishing features, including multiple livewells, ample rod storage, and high-quality stainless steel hardware.
.
.
The Key Differences and What They Mean
When you compare Avenger bay boats, the primary difference between the Avenger AV24 and AV26 lies in their size, weight, and power. These distinctions define how each boat feels at the helm and which environment it’s built to dominate. While both share the same fishing-focused DNA, they are engineered for slightly different missions.
Length, Space, and Ride Quality:
The AV26 measures 26′ 2″, making it about 18 inches longer than the 24′ 8″ AV24. In the real world, this gives the AV26 noticeably more cockpit space and a smoother, more confident ride when running through open-water chop. The AV24, with its shorter hull, excels where agility is critical—it’s the ideal tool for maneuvering through tight mangrove channels and getting into skinny backwaters that a larger boat can’t reach.
Weight, Handling, and Stability:
The AV24’s lighter 2,800-lb dry weight makes it easier to tow and gives it a snappy, responsive feel at the throttle. In contrast, the 3,100-lb AV26 uses its extra mass to feel more planted and composed when seas get sloppy. You’ll feel that difference instantly: the AV24 is nimble and quick to plane, while the AV26 holds its line with authority in rolling waves.
Power, Performance, and Application:
Rated for up to 300 HP, the AV24 has plenty of power for thrilling hole shots and efficient performance on inshore runs. The AV26 is rated for a formidable 400 HP, delivering the extra torque and top-end speed that offshore anglers need for longer runs or when carrying a full crew and gear.
.
.
Model Overview
Why Choose the Avenger AV24? The Inshore Specialist
The AV24 is the perfect choice for the angler who prioritizes agility and shallow-water access above all else.
The Ideal AV24 Owner:
- Primarily an Inshore Angler: You spend most of your time fishing the flats, mangroves, and back bays of Southwest Florida. The AV24’s slightly smaller footprint and lighter weight make it incredibly nimble for navigating tight channels.
- Values Easy Trailering: You want a boat that is effortless to launch, retrieve, and tow without needing a heavy-duty truck.
- Needs a Versatile, Do-It-All Boat: While it excels inshore, the AV24 is still more than capable of heading out to nearshore reefs on a calm day, offering a fantastic balance for the angler who likes to do a bit of everything.
.
.
Why Choose the Avenger AV26? The Versatile Voyager
The AV26 takes the stellar platform of the AV24 and stretches it, adding a degree of offshore capability and comfort.
The Ideal AV26 Owner:
- Wants More Offshore Capability: You want the confidence to push further offshore to chase snapper, grouper, or even kingfish. The extra length and weight of the AV26 will provide a more comfortable and secure ride when the wind picks up.
- Often Fishes with a Crowd: You regularly have multiple friends or family members on board. The increased cockpit space on the AV26 is a significant advantage, giving everyone more elbow room to fish and relax.
- Seeking a “Bigger” Feel: You appreciate the ride and presence of a larger boat. The AV26 feels substantial under your feet and handles open water with more authority, making it a great family boat for cruising as well as a serious fishing machine.
.
.
Choosing The Right Avenger Boat For Your Needs
Ultimately, you can’t make a bad decision between these two models. Your choice comes down to being honest about how you’ll use your boat 90% of the time. Are you a dedicated backcountry angler who values maneuverability, or do you dream of having the flexibility to comfortably head offshore?
The best way to know for sure is to see them for yourself.
Ready to find your perfect fit?
.
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