Sea Fox 268 Traveler 2023 Review

In recent years US fibreglass boat maker, Sea Fox has concentrated on updating its mainstay centre console fishing boat range. Last year, however, this South Carolina-based company changed tacks to focus on upgrading its more general-purpose dual console bowrider boats called Travelers.

The new 268 Traveler dual console bowrider was subsequently launched and has since become a popular model with US family boat buyers and sports boaters.

Cleverly, the interior design and the included features – of which there are many – also suit offshore fishing applications.

Sharing the same 20-degree deep vee hull as the 268 Commander Centre Console, the new Traveler dual console is the larger of the two Traveler models; the smaller boat is the long-running 226 Traveler.

Sea Fox boats are powered exclusively by Yamaha outboard engines. With the 268 Traveler, buyers have the option of a single ultra-longshaft (30”) Yamaha four-stroke to a maximum of 425hp (Yamaha F425) – or twin extra-longshaft (25”) Yamahas to a combined 400hp.
The sharp-looking, Silver Shark grey coloured boat presented for this review was paired with dual Yamaha 200hp four-stroke outboards with lightweight digital electric steering, digital throttle controls, and a Yamaha Command-Link 5 touch-screen display.

Australian Sea Fox distributor, Gold Coast-based JSW Powersports, has 268 Traveler boat packages starting at $328,070 with the maximum power twin Yamaha F200 outboard engines.

Sea Fox boats are superbly appointed direct from the factory, so this price includes a truckload of standard features, gear and equipment.

The stand-out features include a Fusion audio system with USB adaptor and six speakers; Ultima hardtop with full glass centre-opening windshield and powder-coated alloy frame; bow seating area with removable cushions and table; port side console head compartment with electric toilet, holding tank, freshwater sink and storage; passenger lounge seating with multi-position backrest; starboard side galley unit with a solid-surface countertop, bait prep area, sink, freshwater tap and 61-litre Yeti pull-out cooler; sub-floor insulated fish boxes with macerators; 113-litre aquarium style pressurised live well with bait net storage compartment; dive/entry door; step-through transom door and boarding ladder.

Add $16,990 for a dual-axle alloy trailer with electric-hydraulic breakaway brakes.

Our test boat had relatively few options, as the standard boat comes with almost everything you need to get out on the water.

That said, the test rig was tricked out with some cool extras such as the LED tech package (including blue mood lights, underwater lights, upgraded courtesy lights, and wireless phone charger); Pro Package (with helm foot mat, gas shocks on fish box lids, two extra rod holders, and four quick release fender deck mounts); through-the-stem/hull anchor system with electric winch; and upgraded platinum upholstery.

With the above options the test boat package price rises to $347,145 – plus $17k for the trailer if required.

The test rig was also optioned with dual Simrad NSX 3009 multifunction displays with Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer, GPS and Wi-Fi for an extra $5300.

The Sea Fox 268 Traveler has overall length of 7.9 metres and a super wide beam of 2.8 metres. As a result, whilst this big rig can be hauled about on a trailer, it may incur towing restrictions.

On the plus side, the extra width of this boat does make for a large, spacious interior.

The shape of the hull is distinctively Sea Fox, with a raised sheerline and pronounced Carolina flare at the bow to keep spray at bay, and the boat dry.

The hull has an easy, gentle rake to the stem for excellent following sea performance, along with a fine entry shape to part the chop.

At 20 degrees, the deadrise at the transom is substantial.

Electric trim tabs come standard with the boat, recessed into the transom to keep the stern clean and clear for fishing, and swimming off the stern.

Similar to other Sea Fox boats, the 268 Traveler is made using fibreglass with composite core materials such as Kledgecell for the deck and hull sides and Penske composite board to reinforce the transom.

There is also a reinforcing aluminium plate fibreglassed into the transom to support heavyweight outboard engines.

The stringers are foam-filled for strength and safety, and then bonded to the hull.

There is no structural wood used in a Sea Fox, and all sub-floor spaces and voids are foam-filled to achieve positive buoyancy.

Quality stainless steel fittings and fixtures, and long-lasting, all-weather vinyl fabrics (protected with Permagard stain resistance) are used throughout.

All wiring is colour coded for easy maintenance and serviceability.

The Sea Fox 268 Traveler is a big, beamy open boat with luxurious seating and lounging areas at the bow and stern.

Add the reconfigurable, port side lounge/front passenger chair amidships, and this spacious dual console boat has seating for at least 10 people.

The front seating area is particularly large and sumptuous with deeply padded cushions and backrests, and provision for four adults to sit comfortably.

Armrests unfold from the aft section of each side seat so you can create two forward-facing chaise lounges.

Similarly, the forward backrests, aft of the anchor well hatch, allow for two people to recline while facing aft.

A pedestal cocktail table slots into place between the chairs so the crew can enjoy afternoon drinks and nibbles.

The table also drops down into position between the seats for use as an infill board upon which an extra cushion is laid to create a large sun pad.

Removing all the front cushions creates a flat deck that could potentially be used as a fishing platform. However, the fibreglass side seats have a smooth, slippery gelcoat finish so you would need to apply non-slip paint or foam rubber to achieve a decent grip underfoot.

When the cockpit table is not required, it can be stowed away in a locker behind the port side aft backrest, beneath the windshield.

Other neat bow features include the hidden, through-the-stem anchor with bow and helm switching to operate an electric anchor winch; recessed coaming rails; a pair of pop-up cleats; cup holders; rod holders; and a pair of dry storage lockers (with optional gas strut supports) beneath the moulded seats.

The Sea Fox 268 Traveler comes standard with the very sturdy, alloy-framed Ultima hardtop above the helm station and centre cockpit area.

The hardtop is very well reinforced; solid and rigid when the boat is underway.

The hardtop is also multi-purpose; it provides shelter from the weather and is used as a mounting platform for spreader lights, radio antennae, outriggers, radar domes, navigation lighting, and more.

There are also a radio box on the underside, above the helm station, along with a pair of mobile phone chargers and several storage lockers.

A tinted glass skylight overhead also brightens the interior with ambient light.

The helm station itself is very well designed. A wide, blacked-out glass fascia panel is situated above the stainless steel steering wheel, and side-mounted binnacle throttle controls mounted on a special pad.

The fascia panel has ample space for a single large multifunction display and instrumentation, or you can fit two 9.0-inch displays side by side, such as the dual Simrad NSX 3009 MFDs optioned to the test boat.

Other features hereabouts include the comfortable, fore and aft sliding captain’s chair with armrests and flip-up front bolster; a full-width, glare-reducing vinyl brow overhead with a centre-mounted compass; a foam rubber surfaced two-tier driver footrest; side storage glove box; a cavernous sub-floor storage bin with bucket; and a spacious storage compartment inside the console.

In the opposite console to port there is a large head compartment behind a fold-out door. Step down into the compartment and there is ample space to move about with the included electric toilet suitably positioned.

The head also has lighting, a mirror, a storage cupboard, and a sink with a freshwater tap.

Between the port and starboard consoles is a walkway through to the bow seating area which can be shut off with a bifold door beneath the centre opening windscreen panel.

The windscreens to each side of the centre are separate and very sturdily framed over each of the consoles. The hinged centre screen is equally well-reinforced and surprisingly heavy.

Abaft the head compartment and port console there is a moulded storage box topped with an excellent, reconfigurable chair/seat with a rotating backrest.

Four seat layouts are available. The seat/chair can be configured into a front or rear-facing chaise lounge, a full-length flat lounge bed, or a back-to-back seat for two people.

Opposite, behind the helm chair is another multi-function storage box complete with a slide-out Yeti cooler, an overhead sink with freshwater tap, and an aft opening storage drawer that can be optioned with an electric grill.

Diehard offshore anglers will likely prefer the fishing-orientated Sea Fox 268 Commander centre console to the more general-purpose 268 Traveler, but the new Traveler does have plenty of fishing features.

The self-draining cockpit is not large, but it is high with ample cockpit freeboard, very wide side decks for fitting extra rod holders, and plenty of storage areas.

Key fishing features include the awesome 113-litre aquarium style, pressurised live well with separate bait net compartment, blue coloured interior and internal light; dual underfloor fish boxes with macerator pumps; four hardtop rod holders; two flush deck rod holders; various tackle storage trays and bins; fresh and raw water washdown; ski pole/rod holder and four combination cup holder/rod holders across the transom.

The full-width moulded aft bench seat does restrict fishing access a little over the stern, but it is worth the inclusion for the extra seating and stowage space underneath, which is used to secure the ship’s batteries and to access the electrics, steering gear and pumps.

The Sea Fox 268 Traveler can be ordered with a single Yamaha outboard engine up to the 425hp V8, or with twin engines through to the pair of counter-rotating 200hp Yamahas mounted on our test boat.

I expect the Traveler will be quickest with one engine, but it is certainly no slouch with the twin F200 Yamahas, accelerating briskly to a top speed of 44.6 knots.

From idle the boat rises smartly onto the plane with ample power and performance through the mid-range.

Without using the included trim tabs there is some bow rise initially, and this bow-high running attitude is maintained through to about 3000rpm.

Give the throttles another jab and the bow drops down nicely from around 4000rpm to present that finely drawn entry to the chop.

At speed, the Sea Fox is smooth riding, stable and dry.

The electric trim tabs are not really necessary, but they do help with lateral trim occasionally, and to drop the nose into the waves at slower planing speeds.

We had sunny conditions for our boat test, but a strong southerly breeze combined with an ebb tide to create rough conditions at the entrance to the Gold Coast Seaway.

Heading out through the entrance we ran into a wall of water, with 2.0-metre-plus vertical waves ramping in through the seaway's mouth.

I was initially concerned about copping a wave over the bow given the open bow rider configuration of the Traveler, but my fears were allayed as the test boat’s sharp bow entry shape and high bow and topsides coped comfortably with the conditions.

Once safe and clear of the entrance we turned about and surfed easily back into the seaway, the Traveler riding high and safely on the backs of the waves and into the calmer waters of the Gold Coast Broadwater.

It wasn’t a good day to head offshore, but it was good to know that the Traveler has the safety and inherent seaworthiness to handle some very adverse sea conditions.

Performance

Range on 95% of the 530L fuel supply: 313nm@3500rpm

The Sea Fox 268 Traveler is a cleverly designed, well-appointed family day cruiser and offshore fishing boat.

It is not as fishing-focused as the Sea Fox Commander centre consoles, but nor is it meant to be. The Sea Fox 268 Traveler is a combination family/fishing day boat with more than enough features, gear and equipment to perform both roles admirably.

With its versatile interior layout, an abundance of features, and smooth, safe, sporty hull, the Sea Fox 268 Traveler presents as a complete family all-rounder.

Priced from: $328,070 including dual 200hp Yamaha inline four-cylinder, extra-longshaft (25-inch) outboard engines with digital electric steering and controls; Yamaha Command-Link 5 touchscreen engine display; Fusions audio system with USB adaptor and six speakers; Ultima hardtop with full glass windshield and powdercoated alloy frame; hardtop phone chargers; bow seating area with removable cushions, infill board and removable table; port side console head compartment with electric toilet, holding tank, freshwater sink and storage; passenger lounge seating with multi-position backrest; starboard side galley unit with solid-surface countertop, bait prep area, sink, freshwater tap and 61L Yeti pull-out cooler; sub-floor insulated fish boxes with macerators; 113L aquarium style pressurized live well with bait net storage compartment; port side dive/entry door; step-through transom door, boarding platforms and telescopic boarding ladder. Add $16,990 for a dual-axle alloy trailer with electric-hydraulic breakaway brakes.

Price as tested: $347,145. As above but with coloured hull sides in Silver Shark grey; LED tech package (including blue mood lights, power cycle blue/white/fade/flash underwater lights, upgraded courtesy lights, wireless phone charger); Pro Package (including cushioned helm foot mat, gas shocks on fish box lids, two extra rod holders, and four quick release fender deck mounts); through-the-stem/hull anchor system with an electric winch with controls at helm and bow; upgraded upholstery in platinum with matching faux teak and offshore stitching; Yamaha stainless steel propellers. Add $16,990 for a dual-axle alloy trailer with electric-hydraulic breakaway brakes. Add $5300 for a pair of Simrad NSX 3009 multifunction displays with Active Image 3-in-1 transducer, 1kW echosounder, GPS and Wi-Fi.

Supplied by: Sea Fox Boats Australia