Sea Fox 248 Commander 2018 Review

Overview

Hailing from Moncks Corner in South Carolina, USA, Sea Fox boats has been established in Australia for a number of years, distributed locally by the Gold Coast's JSW Powersports.

The Sea Fox boat range encompasses a baker's dozen of fibreglass boats between 5.5-9.8m in length. All but two of these craft are designed with a centre console configuration, and intended either for inshore fishing or a mix of family boating and offshore fishing.

In the latter category is the seven-strong Sea Fox Commander line-up. We have tested several of these good value, feature packed boats in recent years, including the Sea Fox 206 Commander and the Sea Fox 288 Commander.

For this review, we secured the latest model, the Sea Fox 248 Commander powered by the smooth, powerful Yamaha V6 300hp extra-longshaft (25") four-stroke outboard.

Price And Equipment

The Sea Fox 248 Commander was introduced late last year (2017) to replace the outgoing 246 Commander. The new model boasts a range of improvements and slots into the middle of the Sea Fox Commander line-up.

Like many new models in this market segment, the 248 Commander has been designed for a combination of offshore fishing and family day boating. The new model has the features, gear and equipment to perform both roles admirably.

Family boaters will certainly appreciate the bow and stern seating and lounge areas, the deep storage lockers and the console head compartment with portable chemical toilet.

Anglers will be happy with the broad fishing decks, pressured 114L live bait tank, plenty of rod holders and racks, full perimeter coaming bolster padding, the convertible bow casting deck and the provision on the console fascia for two big, flush-fitted electronics displays.

Additional features include the composited-cored construction technique incorporating foam-filled fibreglass stringers (no timber), dual auto bilge pumps, fresh and raw water wash-down, a new anchor well design (which has the anchor now suspended from the stem ready to drop), the two-person width helm console with helm leaning post (incorporating an aft rod rack and removable ice box/cooler), T-top with canvas bimini and spreader lights, and stainless steel fixtures and fittings throughout.

With the above gear (and more) and powered by a Yamaha 250hp V6 four-stroke extra-longshaft (25") outboard, JSW Powersports has entry Sea Fox 248 Commander packages priced from around $133K without trailer.

Add a 2700kg rated Magic Tilt tandem-axle aluminium trailer with electric hydraulic brakes and the package price rises $10,800 to $143,800.

This represents good value for a fully-fitted 7.5m centre console trailerboat, reflecting the Sea Fox directive to provide its customers with "the finest boats for the fairest price".

Our test boat was outfitted with a wide range of additions and optional extras. These included an upgrade to a 300hp Yamaha V6 four-stroke outboard, along with a Silver Shark coloured hull, the new Sea Fox 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. Also ticked was the Pro Package (with cushioned foot mat, gas shock struts on two bow boxes and two extra bow rod holders) bow infill board/table with cushion, upgraded titanium upholstery, electric toilet upgrade with holding tank, pre-rigging for dual batteries, ski-pole, electric anchor winch and more.

The test boat was also fitted with a $10K Simrad electronics package which included an NSS12 Evo3 touch screen display combining a fish finder, GPS and radar, along with a Simrad RS20 VHF radio.

With the above additions the test boat is priced at $190,662 when packaged with an upgraded (mag wheels and spare wheel) Magic Tilt tandem-axle alloy trailer.

Design And Layout

The Sea Fox 248 Commander is designed to appeal equally to family boaters and die-hard anglers. This is reflected in the interior layout which has comfortable bow and stern seating areas with hardy, yet soft-feel upholstered cushions.

Up forward, there is seating for three to five people, with storage space beneath the moulded side seats for safety gear.

Curved, sculptured back-rests create aft facing chaise style lounge seats for two people.

Head-rests fold out from the side panels to the rear of the seating area so you can also recline whilst facing forward.

With the purchase of the optional infill board and centre cushion, you can also create a full width padded sun lounge. Remove all the cushions and the bow area converts into an elevated casting platform for anglers.

Cleverly, the infill board doubles as a cocktail table. It mounts into a pedestal which slots into a socket in the floor just forward of a sub floor storage locker (complete with its own bucket).

The anchor locker in the forepeak has been re-designed in this model to allow the plough style anchor to be suspended from the stem of the boat - rather than mounted on the deck. There is also a hatch behind the starboard seat back-rest to access the anchor rode, and the foredeck has been re-configured to accept the optional electric anchor winch.

Other bow features include pop-up cleats, cup holders, and recessed handrails.

There's also a forward facing seat included as part of the console structure. Rival brands usually include an icebox beneath this seat but Sea Fox has instead opted to increase the size of the head compartment (which is accessed via a port side door).

A portable chemical toilet is included in the standard inventory, but our test boat was optioned with an electric toilet with a holding tank.

The console itself is a regulation two-person with unit topped by a clear acrylic windscreen which is effective in shielding the skipper from the wind.

Additional helm and console features include a two-tiered driver's foot rest, a port side offset tilt-adjust steering wheel with flanking binnacle throttle box, lockable glove box, cup holders, provision for engine instrumentation and dual 12" electronics displays, a compass, and anti-glare soft black rubber matting to the dash beneath the windshield.

Visibility from the helm is excellent and the driving position is very comfortable while seated and standing. Both driving positions work due to the inclusion of an alloy framed lean post with a split bench seat with flip-up front bolsters for both skipper and first mate.

The lean seat post also has an aft facing rod rack to cater for four outfits, as well as a 68-litre removable icebox situated beneath.

An alloy framed soft-top bimini is included in the standard boat package, but our test boat was fitted with the optional new Sea Fox Ultimate hardtop with the underside colour matched to the silver coloured hull topsides.

The Ultima hardtop is quite an elaborate unit, complete with four separate storage/electronics boxes, optional LED spreader and down lights, a seven-rod rocket launcher rod rack, a centre perspex hatch which you can climb up through, as well as a special forward locker which contains a bracket for the mounting of a fire extinguisher.

Moving aft, the stern and transom layout has been configured to suit the boats dual roles. A moulded, three-quarter width bench seat stretches across the transom, topped by removable padded cushions. Underneath there is a spacious fish box/storage locker.

The 114-litre live bait tank is ideally situated over on the port side, built into the transom. The tank is square in shape, but does have rounded corners, a blue-coat finish and can be pressurised to stop water slopping about, and to keep the baits in good condition.

A large, aquarium style front viewing window allows you to monitor the condition of the baits at a glance. A neat addition here is a storage nook/bin aft of the live well into which you can stow your live bait tank net.

Opposite the bait tank, on the starboard side, there is a transom door behind the seat back-rest. This allows you to walk out to the rear boarding platform to reach the telescopic stainless steel boarding ladder.

Features here include an insulated icebox beneath the boarding platform walk-way, a pair of rod holders built into the transom, and pop-up stern cleats.

Flanking the self-draining cockpit there are horizontal rod storage racks beneath wide side coamings. Toe/foot rails beneath each of the rod racks combine with the internal padded bolsters to provide angler comfort and security.

On The Water

The Sea Fox 248 Commander has a conservatively designed hull which combines a fine bow entry shape with a modest 18 degrees of vee back at the transom. Full length spray/lifting chines and high, flared topsides suppress spray and deflect it away from the interior.

On the water we found the 248 performed admirably. A strong westerly breeze had flattened out the swell offshore, but the hull proved comfortable, dry and well mannered in the mixed up sea conditions running out through the Gold Coast Seaway.

The Sea Fox also proved to be very stable at rest, smooth in the chop, and quick to plane from displacement speeds.

Our test boat was paired with the maximum power Yamaha 300hp four-stroke outboard so it was pretty fast too. At a wide open throttle rpm of 5900, the test boat achieves a top speed of 42kt (almost 80km/h). This is ample for a mix of family boating, social tow-sports and offshore fishing.

For long distance cruising, the test rig was most economical with the Yamaha engine ticking over at 3000rpm for a boat speed of 20.2kt (36km/h) and a fuel burn of 23.8 l/ph. Do the sums and this translates to a maximum range of 356nm.

The Verdict

In the Sea Fox Commander range there are seven different models. The 248 Commander sits precisely in the middle of this impressive line-up. It is also the most recent addition and arguably the most versatile. For a mix of family boating and offshore fishing it is just the right size - not too big, not too small.

Specifically, the 248 Commander has enough size and seaworthiness to fish wide to the Continental Shelf, yet it is compact, manoeuvrable, and fast enough to do double as a social family ski and tow-sports boat.

Add the feature-set and competitive package price to this mix and the 248 Commander stacks up nicely against its rivals.

PERFORMANCE - SPEED
4.9kts (9.1km/h) @ 1000rpm
6.5kts (12.0km/h) @ 1500rpm
8.1kts (15.0km/h) @ 2000rpm
11.9kt (22.0km/h) @ 2500rpm
20.2kt (37.4km/h) @ 3000rpm
25.4kt (47.9km/h) @ 3500rpm
28.8kt (53.3km/h) @ 4000rpm
32.7kts (60.5km/h) @ 4500rpm
36.3kts (67.2km/h) @ 5000rpm
39.8kts (73.6km/h) @ 5500rpm
42.2kts (78.1km/h) @ 5900rpm (WOT)

PERFORMANCE – ECONOMY
4.5 l/ph @ 1000rpm
7.9 l/ph @ 1500rpm
13.2 l/ph @ 2000rpm
19.7 l/ph @ 2500rpm
23.8 l/ph @ 3000rpm
33.3 l/ph @ 3500rpm
42.8 l/ph @ 4000rpm
54.9 l/ph @ 4500rpm
69.6 l/ph @ 5000rpm
87.4 l/ph @ 5500rpm
103.3 l/ph @ 5900rpm (WOT)

MAXIMUM RANGE ON 95% OF 442L FUEL TANK: 356.38nm @ 3000rpm

Specifications: Sea Fox 248 Commander
Price: $190,662 including a single Yamaha 300hp extra-longshaft (25") V6 four-stroke outboard with hydraulic steering, digital controls and a Magic Tilt branded tandem axle 2,720kg rated aluminium trailer with hydraulic break-away brakes. Key options included a Simrad NSS12 Evo3 touch screen display with fish finder/GPS/ radar, Simrad RS20 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, Sea Fox Pro Package, bow infill board/table with cushion, upgraded titanium upholstery, electric toilet with holding tank, pre-rigging for duel batteries, ski-pole, anchor winch and more

Priced from: $132,987 with a single Yamaha 250hp extra-longshaft (25”) V6 four-stroke outboard with hydraulic steering and digital controls. Add $10,800 for an Australian specification Magic Tilt tandem axle 2,772kg rated aluminium trailer.
Length overall: 7.65m
Beam: 2.59m
Draft: 350mm
Deadrise: 18 degrees
Hull weight: Approx: 1,542kg
Weight on trailer (dry): Approx: 2,350kg
Maximum power: 300hp (25" extra-longshaft)
Engines as tested: Yamaha 300hp V6 four-stroke outboard
Fuel: 442L
Freshwater: 45L
Live bait tank: 114L
Maximum persons: 10

Supplied by: JSW Powersports