Formosa Sea Rod 7400 Centre Cabin: Fishing Boat Review

Formosa Marine has launched an impressive new hardtop centre-cabin fishing rig with 360 degree fishability, a massive rear cockpit, and a striking new 20 degree deep-vee hull for a plate-alloy boat. The Sea-Rod 740 Centre Cabin is the biggest boat yet produced by this Brisbane-based boatbuilder and is set to be a winner with coastal and offshore sportfishers.

OVERVIEW
- Formosa debuts a new flagship model
Brisbane’s Formosa Marine has launched a new flagship called the Sea-Rod 740 Centre Cabin Offshore. The boat started out as a special order for a customer, but the finished product turned out so well that Formosa has turned it into a regular production model.

In recent years, Formosa Marine boats has been steadily getting bigger. The company started out in 1998 building pressed-alloy tinnies, but soon turned its hand to manufacturing larger production plate-alloy boats.

Until recently the biggest hull was the 6.6m, a design with a moderate 18.5 degree transom-vee angle, and high topsides with a pronounced sheer in the deck-line. The 6.6m hull was subsequently stretched to 7.0m, and now the company has introduced a 7.4m model.

At-a-glance, the new hull appears to be a longer version of the 7.0m hull, but it is actually a new design with a 20 degree transom-vee, replacing the moderate 18.5 degree deadrise.

The new 7.4 m hull is big, wide and impressive. The fine entry retains quite a strong vee-shape running aft, improving ride comfort in choppy water, while retaining excellent stability thanks to the broad 2.5m beam and flattened chines.

Also contributing to stability at rest is the water-ballast system in the hull. Unique to Formosa’s Sea-Rod range, the water ballast system has four hollow chambers in the hull which fill with water when the boat is at rest. This increases the displacement of the hull, allowing it to settle deeper in the water for reduced rocking and a milder heel angle when you stand over to one side. Once you accelerate and get underway, the ballast water simply drains back out of the stern.

The new 7.4m hull is also available with Formosa’s entry Tomahawk range, but only the Sea-Rods have the water-ballasted hull.

Within both the Tomahawk and Sea-Rod line-ups customers can also choose between the Classic and Offshore options. The primary difference between the two is that the value-driven Classic models are manufactured with a carpeted, marine-plywood internal floor. The Offshore boats have a fully welded, self-draining aluminium floor.

As befitting the first of a new model, the new 7.4m Sea-Rod has the up-spec Offshore option with the alloy deck and a range of other standard inclusions. We recently tested the new hull complete with a hardtop centre-cabin configuration and powered by a single Yamaha 300hp V6 four-stroke outboard.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- Stunning value with BMT prices starting at $90k
Formosa has always aimed to provide customers with excellent value for money. This has not changed with the introduction of the new flagship model. Like its siblings in the Formosa Sea-Rod range, the new 740 Centre Cabin is loaded with features and equipment while remaining remarkably well priced.

Gold Coast dealer, Marine Tune, has entry Sea-Rod 740 Centre Cabin Offshore package prices starting at just $88,990. For this money you get a single Yamaha four cylinder in-line 200hp extra-longshaft four-stroke outboard, and a tandem-axle Dunbier galvanised-steel trailer with electric hydraulic break-away brakes (package is over two tonnes).

The deal also includes a Lowrance Hook-5 GPS/fish finder, VHF radio, boat and trailer registrations, and the regular Sea-Rod standard features, which include the welded self-draining deck, wide welded side coamings, hydraulic steering, a foam-filled hull (to Basic Standard), 300lt fuel tank, elevated side storage pockets and rear battery platform, transom door and boarding ladder, swivelling and sliding bucket helm chairs on storage boxes, and six plastic rod holders.

Our test rig was rigged with a range of options which lifted the price to $115k. Much of the extra cost can be attributed to the upgrade from the 200hp Yamaha to the equally smooth running, but more powerful 300hp V6 four-stroke.

Additional options included deluxe blue coloured paint, a Lowrance Elite-9 Ti fish finder/GPS, VHF radio, Fusion stereo with speakers, electric anchor winch and rode, folding hardtop visor with clears, aft bimini/sun shade, deluxe bait board/live bait tank (non-plumbed), kill tank, fire extinguisher, dual batteries (with isolator), and an inshore safety gear pack.

INTERIOR LAYOUT
- Bow and stern decks, wide walkways, fish 360 degrees around the boat
Offshore fishers will love the layout of the Sea-Rod 740 Centre Cab because the cabin is relatively small in relation to the surrounding fishing decks. In fact, the cab and sheltered helm station is just wide enough to accommodate two box mounted helm chairs side by side, leaving plenty of space outside the cab structure to walk to and from the bow fishing areas.

You can stand and fish from the side walkways too, as they are wide and deep. The walkways are elevated 100mm or so above the rear cockpit deck level, yet there is still plenty of freeboard to be able to stand securely up against the coamings. With this excellent layout, anglers should have no trouble battling a fish a full 360 degrees around the boat.

We suspect many anglers will want to fish directly from the bow, too. There is ample space to stand and cast lures or flies for sportfish. If reef fishing on the drift or at anchor is more your style, you can drop a line from the bow while perched comfortably on the front of the cabin structure.

We noted earlier the rear fishing deck is big. Well, huge would be a better description. Aft of the helm seat boxes the self-draining cockpit stretches 2.74m back to the transom wall by 2.1m wide!

The rear transom layout is well-designed for fishing, too. There is plenty of freeboard (610mm minimum above transom door), and the included rear bench seat is cleverly designed so that it folds up completely flush against the transom wall so you can stand and fish over the transom unimpeded.

Storage platforms/shelves are situated beneath the transom coaming, while elevated side-storage pockets stretch nearly three quarters of the boat’s length, extended up past the cabin sides.

There is also a square storage bin in the cabin and the test boat was fitted with an optional rear cockpit underfloor kill tank.

The battery is located in a separate box/shelf behind the transom and accessed externally. I don’t quite understand why it is positioned in this manner because it will not be easy to reach should there be a battery issue or failure while at sea.

Other cockpit and transom features include stern rails, a port side transom door that turns into a step when it is folded open, and a battery-isolator switch.

The test rig was also optioned with a raw-water deck wash and Formosa’s deluxe bait board. It is bolted to the rear coaming for easy removal, and incorporates a modest-sized live bait tank, rod rack, and tackle shelves.

CENTRE CABIN AND HELM
- Compact cabin and helm, folding hardtop with curved screen and clears
We noted earlier that the cabin and helm station is not overly large, but it is spacious enough to have comfortable bucket helm chairs for the skipper and co-pilot with well placed foot-rests and a passenger grab rail.

Within the cabin you’ll find a v-shaped berth/seating area with a storage box in the forepeak. The side seats are only 1.6m long, but you can fit optional extension boards (between the existing berths and the helm seat boxes) to create two full-length berths. An infill cushion and board also slots into place between the berths to create a single double bed.

Back at the helm, the skipper has a well-placed steering wheel, nicely positioned side mounted throttle and excellent visibility forward and aft. The facia has space for engine instrumentation and switch panels, radios, etc, but electronics displays will need to be bracke- mounted on the wide, flat dash — like the Lowrance Elite-9 Ti fitted to the test boat.

Overhead the optional folding hardtop provides some weather protection in combination with the front clears and optional rear bimini. The latter is practical enough, but would be improved if it could be self-supported, as the rear bracing struts will get in the way when you are fishing.

 ON THE WATER
- A well-balanced, easy-riding hull with great stability and performance
With a fine entry, sharp forefoot, and 20 degree deadrise, we expected good things from the big Sea-Rod and we were not disappointed. In windy, lumpy conditions outside the Gold Coast Seaway, the Sea-Rod proved well-mannered, nicely balanced, and easy to drive.

Running into a 1.5-2.0m sea, the hull proved quite comfortable. By keeping the speed down a bit so that the sharp bow-entry shape was presented to the oncoming waves, we were able to find a sweet spot where the hull rode easily and quite softly. The boat was also very stable and drier than expected, given the windy conditions.

Having plenty of power helped us negotiate the lumpy seas as well. A quick jab of the throttle and the big Yamaha 300hp responded instantly with a surge of power. We used the grunt to accelerate up the backs of some of the steeper waves, and to outrun the bigger swells that loomed behind us on the way back in through the Gold Coast Seaway. It was all quite good fun actually.

The Sea Rod 7400 is rated for outboards up to 300hp, and given the excellent performance of the test rig with Yamaha’s 300hp four-stroke, you certainly don’t need anymore. You could get buy with as little as 200hp, but 250hp would be our recommended minimum.

With the 300hp Yamaha on the transom, we recorded a top speed of 41.8 knots and a most economical cruise speed of 20 knots at 3000rpm. At this point in the rpm range, the Yamaha was consuming 24.1lt/h for a maximum range on 95 per cent of the boat’s 300lt fuel capacity of 237.7 nautical miles.

VERDICT
- A big, beamy, terrific value centre-cabin sportfisher
Formosa’s new flagship model is a ripper boat for offshore sportfishing. It has a big, wide beam, rock solid deep-vee hull, a fisherman-friendly centre cabin layout, plus a huge self-draining rear cockpit, and tonnes of grunt from Yamaha’s wonderfully smooth 300hp four-stroke outboard.

And did we mention the price? With packages starting at less than $90k and the fully rigged, maximum powered test boat coming in at around $115k, the Formosa Sea-Rod 740 Centre Cab is terrific value for money.

LIKES
>> Excellent value for money
>> Great handling and performance
>> 360 degree fishability
>> Large self-draining rear cockpit
>> Super smooth, powerful Yamaha 300hp
>> Folding rear bench seat

NOT SO MUCH
>> Aft sun-shade cover support struts get in the way
>> No stern cleats
>> Difficult access to battery

RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.74/5.0
Mechanical/equipment: 4.6/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.7/5.0
On the water performance: 4.7/5.0
Value for money: 4.9/5.0
X-factor: 4.8/5.0

PERFORMANCE - SPEED
3.3kts (6.1km/h) @ 1000rpm
4.5kts (8.3km/h) @ 1500rpm
6.5kts (12.0km/h) @ 2000rpm
12.1kts (22.4km/h) @ 2500rpm
20.0kts (37.0km/h) @ 3000rpm
24.1kts (44.6km/h) @ 3500rpm
27.9kts (51.6km/h) @ 4000rpm
31.4kts (58.1km/h) @ 4500rpm
34.0kts (62.9km/h) @ 5000rpm
38.5kts (71.2km/h) @ 5500rpm
41.8kts (77.3km/h) @ 6000rpm (WOT)

PERFORMANCE – ECONOMY
4.9 l/ph @ 1000rpm
7.9 l/ph @ 1500rpm
12.3 l/ph @ 2000rpm
16.7 l/ph @ 2500rpm
24.2 l/ph @ 3000rpm
31.9 l/ph @ 3500rpm
43.6 l/ph @ 4000rpm
57.5 l/ph @ 4500rpm
70.1 l/ph @ 5000rpm
97.0 l/ph @ 5500rpm
100.1 l/ph @ 6000rpm (WOT)

Specifications: Formosa Sea Rod 7400 Centre Cabin
Price as tested: $115,000 including a Yamaha 300hp four-stroke extra-longshaft (25in) outboard with Sea Star hydraulic steering, tandem-axle galvanised steel trailer with electric-hydraulic break-away brakes and spare wheel, deluxe-coloured paint, Lowrance Elite-9 Ti fish finder/GPS, VHF radio, Fusion stereo with speakers, electric anchor winch and rode, folding hardtop visor, clears, aft bimini/sun shade, deluxe bait board/live bait tank (non-plumbed), kill tank, fire extinguisher, dual batteries (with isolator), inshore safety gear, and 12 months boat and trailer registration.  

Priced from: $88,990 including a Yamaha 200hp four-stroke extra-longshaft (25in) outboard with Sea Star hydraulic steering, tandem axle galvanized steel trailer with electric-hydraulic break-away brakes, Lowrance Hook-5 fish finder/GPS, and 12 months' boat and trailer registrations.

Length overall: 7.6m
Hull length: 7.4m
Beam: 2.5m
Deadrise:  20 degrees
Hull weight: 1,400kg
Weight on trailer: Approx 2600kg
Bottom & transom alloy: 5.0mm
Topsides alloy: 4.0mm
Maximum power: 300hp
Engine as tested: Yamaha 300hp four-stroke
Fuel capacity: 300L
Flotation standard: Basic
Maximum persons: Seven

Supplied by:
Marine Tune
Phone: (07) 5576 7388
Email: sales@marinetune.com
Website: Marine Tune.