2019 Sea Fox 228 Commander review

Sea Fox fibreglass boats have been available in Australia for some years now, distributed from the Gold Coast by JSW Powersports.

There are currently 13 models in the Sea Fox range, built in Monck's Point, South Carolina. All but two of the current series of Sea Fox models have a centre console configuration. The two different models include the Sea Fox 226 Traveler Dual Console bowrider and a side console boat called the Sea Fox 249 Avenger.

The Sea Fox centre consoles are split into two model lines. The Viper series boats are designed for inshore bay and flats fishing and have shallow vee hulls, low topsides and broad fishing decks.

The most popular Sea Fox boats are the Commanders. There are seven of these coastal and offshore family/fishing boats available. The entry model is a 5.5-metre trailer boat called the 186 Commander. At the top of the range is the 9.8-metre long flagship, the 328 Commander. In between you'll find the 206, 228, 248, 266, and 288 Commander.

boatsales.com.au has tested several of the current line of Sea Fox Commander models, and they have all impressed. The boats were all well equipped, safe, seaworthy, and very good value when compared with some rival US imports.

For this review we have the latest 2019 model, the Sea Fox 228 Commander. It replaces the Sea Fox 226 series boat we tested back in 2016 (yeah, the one with that awesome jump shot). Similar to its predecessor, the Sea Fox 228 Commander is a smooth, smart looking, family-friendly centre console fishing boat.

The Gold Coast's JSW Powersports has package prices for the Sea Fox 228 Commander starting at around $97K. Included in this price is the entry-sized 150hp Evinrude E-TEC DFI two-stroke extra-long shaft (25-inch) outboard engine with hydraulic steering, along with a Redco tandem-axle aluminium trailer with electric hydraulic brakes.

Similar to its siblings in the Sea Fox range, the Sea Fox 228 Commander comes standard with lots of good factory-fitted gear and equipment, including a centre console helm station with head compartment and portable toilet, a leaning post with chairs for the skipper and first mate, bow and stern lounge seating areas, and plenty of storage lockers and compartments

Anglers will appreciate the extra-wide side coamings with full-perimeter coaming bolster padding, the broad dash and fascia (to accept dual 10-inch displays), the full width footrest, a range of rod holders and rod racks, the recessed transom trim tabs, and the pressurised, aquarium style 114-litre live well situated in the portside transom corner.

The standard boat also comes with the aforementioned composite-cored construction technique incorporating foam-filled fibreglass stringers, a self-bailing cockpit, a T-top with canvas bimini and spreader lights, removable icebox/cooler, dual auto bilge pumps, raw water washdown, and stainless steel fixtures and fittings throughout.

Our test boat was optioned up with extra gear to personalise it for its new owner, lifting the drive-away price to a still reasonable $146,850.

Some of the additions included the fitting of the maximum power 250hp Evinrude E-TEC G2 DFI two-stroke outboard, along with a Silver Shark-coloured hull and the Sea Fox "Ultima" fibreglass hardtop with matching Silver Shark-coloured paint to the underside, and a white powder coated alloy frame.

The test boat also gained a cranking stereo package with eight speakers, climate cool system with spray misters, upgraded lighting package (including spreader lights), Pro Package (with cushioned foot mat, gas shock struts on two bow boxes and two extra bow rod holders) upgraded titanium upholstery, freshwater washdown (with 45-litre tank), and pre-rigging for dual batteries.

To complete the boat for coastal and offshore fishing, our test boat was fitted with a Simrad NSS12 Evo3 touchscreen fishfinder/GPS display, along with a Simrad RS35 VHF radio.

The interior layout in the 228 Commander differs little to other US imported craft in this size range in that it has a V- or U-shaped seated area at the bow along with a dual-width centre console helm station and fishing features and seating areas aft.

That said, the Sea Fox 228 Commander has a moulded aft seating and storage area – most rivals have folding or removable seating at the stern to allow anglers to stand and fish right up against the transom wall.

The Sea Fox 228 Commander's fixed rear seating does make it more difficult to fish from the stern, but it is a boon for family boaters as the three-quarter-width rear bench seat with backrest is much more comfortable than the folding set-ups you'll find on other brands.

There's also a large, insulated storage locker under the moulded rear bench that doubles as a kill tank. The latter is needed for anglers as the boat does not have a separate, sub-floor kill tank.

On the plus side for anglers, there is a large, 114-litre aquarium-style live bait tank moulded into the portside transom corner. The large, blue-coat finished live well is pressurised with a gasket-sealed clear perspex lid, along with a good-size viewing window at the front so you can monitor the health of your live baits.

Opposite, on the starboard side, there is a gated walkway leading out to the rear boarding platform and a recessed stainless steel telescopic boarding ladder.

Other features here include a series of bilge access hatches, pop-up stern cleats, cup holders, four stainless steel rod holders, a pair of transom wall stereo speakers, and a storage nook aft of the live well for a live bait dipping net.

The rear cockpit in the Sea Fox stretches 1.37 metres aft from the console to the transom, by 2.11 metres wide. Behind the lean-seat post there is just 600mm of move-about space, but this is sufficient for anglers given it is possible to fish 360 degrees around the perimeter of the boat.

The cockpit is quite deep with around 620mm of freeboard. Well-padded coaming bolsters provide excellent comfort and support for anglers to stand and fish securely in rough weather.

The 220mm wide side coamings are easily broad enough for anglers to install extra rod holders, downrigger brackets and more, while the horizontal rod racks underneath can accommodate three rod/reel outfits on each side.

The Sea Fox 228 Commander has elaborate storage box/bait station lean posts available, but the standard alloy-framed version fitted to our test rig is suitable for most applications.

The lean post/frame incorporates a flip-up bolster helm and passenger seat, along with an aft rod rack and provision underneath for the included (removable) Yeti icebox/cooler.

The flip-up bolster on the helm seat allows the skipper to drive the Sea Fox very comfortably whilst standing or sitting before the dual-width console and acrylic windscreen, and there is ample dash and fascia space for instruments and dual electronics displays.

The tilt-adjust stainless steel steering wheel (with turning knob) and throttle box are offset to the port side so there is ample standing space alongside for the first mate.

Overhead, there is an electronics/radio box under the optional, alloy-framed Ultima hardtop, along with four stereo speakers, overhead lighting and an aft-facing rocket-launcher rod rack to cater for seven rods.

Beneath the console there is a spacious head compartment accessed by opening a bi-fold door to port. There is ample space inside for the included portable chemical toilet, along with access to the wiring behind a drop curtain and several dry storage nooks and platforms.

The head compartment/change room is a good place to stow bags, clothing, towels and more, but safety gear is best stowed at the bow where it can be easily accessed from two lockers built into the moulded, V-shaped seating area.

There's also a wet locker forward, under the floor, just forward of the padded console bench seat. This could be used as a secondary fish box, or as an icebox/cooler.

The V-shaped bow seating area comes standard with three seat cushions, but you can option the boat with a centre infill board and cushion to create a full-width sun lounge, and/or a casting platform for anglers.

Safety rails, drink holders and padded backrests surround the seating area, making the bow quite a comfortable place to sit and relax in nice weather.

The Sea Fox 228 Commander has a relatively modest transom vee angle compared with some rival brands at just 18 degrees, but you wouldn't know it on the water. That's because the entry shape at the bow is nice and sharp to cut easily through wind chop and ocean swell.

Cruising at 16-18 knots offshore from the Gold Coast I certainly found the Sea Fox 228 Commander to be comfortable, stable and very dry. Conditions were less than ideal and yet the Sea Fox 228 Commander handled the lumpy seas with ease.

Though fitted with trim tabs, recessed into the hull at the transom, I found there was barely any need to use them. The hull tracked straight with almost no wind list and the hull felt nicely balanced on a fore and aft axis.

Through the changing conditions the hull running angle could be fine-tuned to suit with just a touch of positive or negative trim, depending on whether you wanted to drop the nose to run into the sea, or lift it back out to run safely down the waves and back into port.

Throughout the sea trial the Sea Fox 228 Commander proved to be safe, stable and secure. There were no rattles or squeaks, and there was no movement in the overhead hardtop.

With the maximum-rated Evinrude E-TEC G2 250hp outboard on the transom the Sea Fox 228 Commander proved to be very quick, too, accelerating brutally from a standing start and almost flying across the choppy Gold Coast Broadwater to record a top speed of 44.6 knots.

Given the high speed and strong performance of our test rig, you could easily drop down to a 175-200hp engine and still have ample power and grunt to spare.

Performance

Range on 95% of the 340L fuel supply at 3500rpm: 295.0nm

The Sea Fox 228 Commander is a fine-looking craft, the sweeping deck sheer-line and smooth topsides blending beautifully with that wonderful Carolina flare up under the bows to give the boat a strong, purposeful appearance.

But there's more to this new boat than good looks. The Sea Fox 228 Commander is a well made crossover centre console with the features, fit-out and interior layout to rival other brands, and to please family boaters and coastal offshore fishermen.

Specifications
Model: Sea Fox 228 Commander
Length overall: 7.0m
Centreline length: 6.8m
Beam: 2.59m
Draft: 350mm
Deadrise: 18 degrees
Hull weight: 1224kg (est)
Weight on trailer: 2000kg (est, dry)
Maximum power: 250hp (25-inch extra-long shaft)
Engine as tested: Evinrude E-TEC 250hp DFI two-stroke outboard
Fuel: 340L
Freshwater: 45L
Live bait tank: 114L
Maximum persons: 8

Priced from: $96,965 with a single Evinrude E-TEC G2 150hp extra-long shaft (25-inch) DFI two-stroke outboard with hydraulic steering and digital controls. Add $10,990 for a Redco tandem-axle aluminium trailer with electric hydraulic break-away brakes.

Price as tested: $146,850 including an Evinrude E-TEC G2 250hp extra-long shaft (25-inch) DFI V6 two-stroke outboard with hydraulic steering, digital controls and a Redco tandem-axle aluminium trailer with electric hydraulic break-away brakes. Key options include a Simrad NSS12 Evo3 touch screen display with fish finder/GPS, Simrad RS35 VHF radio, a Silver Shark coloured hull, Ultima hardtop with hull coloured underside paint and white powder-coated alloy frame, Kicker stereo package with eight speakers, climate cool system with spray misters, LED spreader and general lighting package, Pro Package (with cushioned foot mat, gas shock struts on two bow boxes and two extra bow rod holders) upgraded titanium upholstery, pre-rigging for dual batteries, and more.

Supplied by: Sea Fox Boats