Cuddy cabin boats are small to medium powerboats, typically 20–30 feet, with an enclosed cabin built into the bow. The cabin is compact — low headroom, limited standing space — but provides a sheltered berth for overnight stays, a mount point for a marine toilet, and practical storage for provisions and equipment. On boats above 25 feet a separate head compartment is sometimes possible.
The layout makes cuddy cabins versatile: equally suited to day cruising, fishing, watersports, and short coastal passages. Most are built with fiberglass hulls and powered by outboard or sterndrive petrol engines. The raised helm position improves visibility and the relatively simple hull form keeps fuel consumption low compared to larger cabin cruisers.
The bow cabin comes at a trade-off: it eliminates the forward seating found on bowriders, making cuddy cabins less practical for larger groups, and removes the bow walk-around deck useful for fishing. Owners needing more accommodation — multiple berths, a galley, a full head — typically move up to cabin cruisers, which are designed for longer passages and extended overnight use.
