Sea Fox 226 Commander: Fishing Boat Review

This South Carolina boatbuilder has made big inroads into our fishing-boat market. The 226 Commander is sure to carry the baton. For this is an ideal centre console size-wise; a true offshore boat but still a manageable single-engine rig. It's a little big boat rather than a big little boat, meaning you can mix it with the battlewagons, and range far and wide. There are stacks of serious inbuilt fishing amenities, but also some creature to keep the family happy. In the blue gelcoat with marlin graphic and matching Evinrude ETEC G2 with iron-man machismo, this is a sexy centre console sure to catch fish and attention.

OVERVIEW
- Serious muscle in a manageable single-engine rig
We were blown away by the Sea Fox 186 Commander
that we tested alongside this boat. That entry-level centre console sistership is a big little boat that punches above its weight. Stepping into this 226 Commander, the next biggest boat in the centre console range (until the 206 was recently launched) was something else again. You’re now batting in the big-boat league, while still keeping a foot in the affordable-boat camp.

You could say the 226 is a little big boat. It’s a 22-footer that belongs on the blue water, beyond the heads, the river bar and the Seaway, where we found a solid swell and stiff southerly to test its mettle. Not that the offshore performance came as a surprise, mind you. We've found these Sea Fox boats to be pretty good out there.

Before the 206 arrived, this was the smallest Sea Fox centre console with a tee-top in the range. Irrespective of that fact, this hull steps up from a 2.40m on the smaller sister ships to a 2.50m beam. And the volume jumps considerably. Furthermore, things like rod storage, fish wells and live wells are up-scaled.

With the maximum 250hp outboard power from the Evinrude ETEC G2 on our test rig, there was a exciting performance to get you offshore fast but without gulping the 382 litre underfloor fuel supply. And with potential like this, you will want to spend plenty of time offshore...

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- Sea Fox value with plenty of kit
Value for money is a big part of this brand’s appeal. At the time of testing, the 226 Commander had a starting price of $84,713 with the base 150hp outboard spinning a three-blade 17in prop. There are some extras that are part of the standard Australian spec such as anchor roller, split bow lights, (45 litres) freshwater washdown, Infinity stereo, and stainless steel prop.

Our test rig with the maximum 250hp Evinrude ETEC G2 and some options is now priced at about $119,000 and $127,500 with a dual-axle braked alloy trailer. The 2.50m beam means you don’t need a towing permit, just a decent 4WD.

Besides the Blue Marlin hull gelcoat, the options on the test boat included Ultima hard top; bow backrest with cushions (2); pre-rigging for dual batteries; LED lighting package including underwater transom lights; Bennett trim tabs; upgraded twin sliding pedestal seats instead of the leaning post; and the Pro Package with things like cushioned foot mat and gas shocks on the fish boxes.

While there was probably another $5000 in fish-finding electronics and a pair of outriggers needed by serious anglers, the boat was otherwise very well-equipped for serious sport fishing and rearing to go in the blue livery.

LAYOUT AND FEATURES
- Designed for serious fishing with integrated storage
The centre console on this boat isn’t too far aft and therefore doesn’t limit your rear fishing space like some American rigs. The sliding helm seats help maximise space some more; the self-draining decks are also welcome; while the splashwell and engine installation was nice and tidy.

At the same time, you have a substantial forward casting and crew area. Integrated storage and inbuilt fishing features ensure the decks remain tidy, while the Ultima Hard Top boosts rod storage and provides welcome shade on those long hot summer days.

The Hard Top has a rocket launcher with six holders including angled ones on the outside from which you could troll lures or baits and gain a spread. As touched on, outriggers are still needed if you’re serious about bluewater trolling.

Nicely moulded with a liner on the underside, the Hard Top includes integrated speakers and LED spreader, anchor and red night lights. There was even a freshwater mister that will be heaven on those blazingly days, plus an integrated radio box and overhead dry storage locker.

The diameter of the clear-anodised tee-top frame is substantial and the welds were clean. On deck, the boat has a good spread of heavy-duty stainless steel fittings, drink and lure cups, pop-up cleats, rod holders including two in the bow, and integrated grab rails.

But for a small section alongside the console, pretty much the entire boat is traced by padded coamings.

The foredeck casting area has veed-seating, sculptured backrest cushions when facing aft and clip-in backrests in case you want to face forward, thereby creating a bowrider for running with the family.

With cushions stowed in the centre console, you have a serious fishing area. There’s no forward infill to create a forward casting deck, but enough flat diamond-pattern floor from which to pitch lures and fight fish. Recessed grab rails add to your security.

There are twin insulated fish boxes with overboard drains under the bow seats, whose lids lift on gas struts, and an underfloor storage well that takes a decent bucket. The stainless-steel compression latches on the floor hatches help keep water out. The anchor locker is a nice and deep.

Inside the centre console is abundant dry storage for your cameras and personal kit, as well as room for the supplied Porta Potti 260 (more than 20 flushes). There’s also direct access to the electrics and batteries.

Cockpit storage centres on a couple rod/gaff/paddle racks each side, where you might leave a pre-rigged fly rod or popping stick.

The transom hasn’t a flush leading edge, but a moulded rear lounge and swing-away transom door. With the cushions out you get a rear casting platform and direct access to the insulated fish box compartments under the lounge. Most hardcore centre consoles would opt for a swing-away transom lounge here instead.

A circular live-bait tank is in the port corner will harbour a dozen slimies, with two rodholder tubes in the transom positioned nearby so you can switch and pitch baits.

The clean rigging of the 250hp ETEC G2 adds to the sweet engine installation. At the helm, this new 226 model has an improved dash layout with mounting room for a 7in and 12in screen and trick waterproof switches.

Other improvements for 2016 include the new marlin door, improved two-tone upholstery, the Ultima Hard Top option, and the new hull colour.

HULL AND ENGINEERING
- Saltwater build and a limited lifetime warranty
Australian and New Zealand distributor JSW Powersports is in its sixth year of importing Sea Fox, having delivered dozens of boats right across the country. The proactive dealer carries an impressive stock that you can peruse in its Gold Coast yard and has also collected the International Sea Fox Dealer of the Year award.

The local crew’s performance-boating background augurs well for the outboard set-ups, although Sea Fox mostly come factory pre-rigged. The choice of reliable Yamaha or clean-rigged Evinrude E-TEC G2 outboard in single configuration is up to you.

The Sea Fox hull construction is wood-free, using a GRP hull and deck with vinylester resin and Divinycell foam coring. The mouldings are quite fair and, while the finish in some compartments isn’t quite to the standards of bigger ticketed US boats, there is greater value and no compromise where it counts.

Helm wiring is easy to reach from in the console, the fuel tank is an alloy number with an in-line water separator, and there are twin bilge pumps with float switches and high-water alarm beneath the self-bailing floor.

The diamond-pattern non skid in the self-draining cockpit is excellent. It’s also nice to see both freshwater and saltwater washdowns and pump so you can clean fish and fishing gear. All the stainless-steel through-hull fittings and seacocks are accessible on this boat, too.

You get dual batteries, tilt hydraulic steering, and a sturdy stainless-steel steering wheel with crank knob. The 113 litre live well comes with a powerful 800gph pump and aerator.

The trim tabs are recessed Bennett numbers that are nice and responsive and ensure you can punch home nice with rear crew or fish weight back aft or a list from strong cross winds or uneven load.

The hull is backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty, and we haven’t heard of any Sea Fox issues at all. Compared to some of the earlier models, this one seemed better finished. The solid gelcoat hull colour, the top-notch upholstery and the stainless steel fittings add to the sense of quality.

ON THE WATER
- A super stable 22-footer with an slippery cruise
The hull shape is a popular one for Sea Fox, with 19 degrees of deadrise and a pretty sharp entry. It’s not a super-deep vee, point-and-shoot boat, but if you spend time at slower speeds you will appreciate the stability.

When you set-up a spread of lures for the day’s trolling, find that pinnacle and drop your jigs, when you start drift fishing and/or casting lures, the 226 offers a rock solid platform.

You won’t be able to blast offshore like a 21-24 degree hull, but this boat travels agreeably at the economical 3500-400rpm settings and high 20 knots, where you can maintain comfort.

We report this after tackling pretty snotty conditions where the 226 proved reassuring, confidence inspiring, seaworthy with foam filling, and dry thanks to that big flared bow up front.

Spinning an RX4 four-blade 20in prop returned 47-48 knots top speed (88-89km/h), which could be boosted to about 50-51 knots (around 95km/h) with a 22in ‘wheel’.

Back around the 3500-4000rpm, the consumption is 30-35 litres per hour at about 25-28 knots cruise or around 1.4km (0.85nm) per litre. Thus, your range is about 300nm.

The mid-range grunt from these ETEC G2s is just outstanding and you get a very sporty drive. Meanwhile, the ergonomics are excellent, with toe kicks, padded coamings, grab rails, wide gunwales and abundant in-built storage so the boat remains pleasantly clutter-free.

VERDICT
- Big-boat performance but manageability
The South Carolina heritage of the 226 Commander is reflected in a number of ways. First, you can’t help but notice the sheerline that kicks up to a pronounced flared bow. It’s a real sportfisher line and the 226 has a lot of lift, freeboard and water deflection. We love that.

Offshore, the boat feels big and capable, with plenty of fishing range. There’s a heap of room, big fish and live wells, a cool hardtop, and comforts by way of clip-in padded cushions and backrests so you can create a family cruise machine.

While there are US centre consoles that lean even more towards hardcore fishing, with hulls carrying more deadrise, less upholstery and with more supportive transoms, this Sea Fox Commander 226 is a serious sportfisher that will get the nod from everyone.

The 226 Commander has big-boat performance, space for three/four anglers, manageable towing behind a family 4WD tug, affordable running costs, and single-engine maintenance. It’s a smart boat however you choose to look at it.

LIKES
>> Big-boat feel and performance in a cool 22-foot US centre-console sportfisher
>> Serious ‘fishability’ with loads of inbuilt features including big bait and fish tanks, washdowns, mist sprayer and more.
>> Flexibility thanks to abundant seating that caters for social-boating needs
>> Seriously good looks with the hardtop, blue gelcoat hull and matching ETEC G2
>> Great value and strong local backing

NOT SO MUCH
>> Moulded transom lounge base won’t appeal to some serious anglers who want greater transom fishing access
>> Finish has stepped up but it’s not to the top-shelf level (hence the saving)
>> Still needs electronics and probably outriggers

RATINGS
Overall rating: 22.5/25 = 90%
Mechanical/equipment: 4.25/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.5/5.0
On the water Performance: 4.50/5.0
Value for money: 4.75/5.0
X-factor: 4.5/5.0

Specifications:
Price as tested: About $119,000 as tested with 250hp Evinrude ETEC G2 upgrade and options as per test boat. About $127,500 with dual-axle braked alloy trailer.
Priced from: $84,713 with a single 150hp and plenty of standard kit as detailed above; about $93,500 for base rig on trailer.
Centreline length: 6.80m
Beam: 2.50m
Hull dry weight: 1224kg
Hull weight max. (excluding trailer): 1587kg dry
Towing weight: About 2500kg
Engine rating: 150-250hp max.
Fuel: 382 litres
Water: 40 litres
Passenger capacity: 8
Total capacity: 997kg
Hull deadrise: 19 degrees
Maximum horsepower: 250hp in 25in outboard length
Engines on test: Evinrude 250hp ETEC G2

Supplied by:
JSW POWER SPORTS
Telephone (07) 5529 2616
www.jswpowersports.com.au