Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images When the U.S. achieved its independence, the country was hopeful that its new standing would usher in an era of free trade. â
Bay boats have a low profile. They are designed for use in shallow waters of large shallow bays, estuaries or near shore. Bay boats are 18'â24' in length and are fiberglass because they are used in salt or brackish waters. They have more freeboard than a flats boat.
Navigability depends on context: A small river may be navigable by smaller craft, such as a motor boat or a kayak, but unnavigable by a cruise ship. Shallow rivers may be made navigable by the installation of locks that increase and regulate water depth, or by dredging.