Sea Fox Commander 286

Sea Fox from South Carolina have made serious inroads here. The well-priced boats combine sharp hulls with flared bows and purpose-built moulded liners for fishing. With clever convertible seating options, you can turn the sportsfishers into social sportsboats. But this flagship 286 Commander centre console had something else. The demonstrator from the local importer had the latest look-at-me Gulf Shores blue hull, a pair of hear-me-roar Evinrude 300hp ETEC G2 outboard engines, and a no-expense-spared fitout for short-handed sportsfishing. With some clip-in seating enhancements this was one cool Commander, commuter, sportsfisher and flag-bearing Sea Fox.

OVERVIEW
- A stunning Sea Fox with the latest outboard engines, touch-screen electronics and smart fishing kit
After years of working around the clock establishing a leading marine business, one open all hours and every weekend, you have to do something to keep your sanity. So what does the Sea Fox importer, who also happens to be the biggest Sea-Doo dealer in the world, choose to do in his spare time? He goes fishing, of course. But not in any old boat…

The flagship of the Commander range, the Commander 286, is Jeff McNiven’s new demonstrator and escape machine. When the stunning boat was towed from his JSW Powersports dealership, it commanded attention on the road as a whopping 3.5 tonne rig. At the ramp, it is no less impressive on its MagicTilt alloy trailer. But on the water, this streaking blue missile is something else again.

The Gulf Shores Blue hull colour is a standout, but it's the roar of the twin 300hp Evinrude ETEC G2 outboards that grabs your attention. It’s not loud aboard, on the contrary in fact, but the note you leave in your wake certainly wakes the onlookers. Thankfully, this trick rig has the performance to back up its snappy styling.

The latest Evinrude ETEC G2 outboards boast 75 per cent fewer emissions, 15 per cent better fuel economy and 20 per cent more torque than their four-stroke competition. From our experiences, including at the world launch in Wisconsin, the revolutionary 74-degree V6 ETEC outboards also generate amazing hauling power, especially in the mid-range where you want it on an offshore-fishing boat.

Meantime, Sea Fox delivers with its deck design and inbuilt fishing features. The standard inclusions range from twin high-volume live-bait tanks to an impressive rigging station, insulated fish boxes to generous rod storage, and then there is the social seating, deck shower, enclosed head and abundant storage.

This no-holds-barred demonstrator went to the next level with a Climate Cool System that mists you at the helm, quick release Taco outriggers, some $35,000 worth of Simrad electronics, even a custom autopilot cockpit controller so you can change course in the cockpit when trolling short-handed.

A serious offshore-fishing weapon, and a fast getaway for a Sunday fling, this is a special Commander that broadens the appeal of the centre console and thrusts Sea Fox into the heavy-hitter’s league.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- No expense spared on this special demo boat, but base model is a value buy
Value is among the attributes of the Sea Fox boats. Upmarket competitors in this competitive sportsfishing space might tout better finishes, more features and bigger capacities, but you pay an absolute premium for that and probably score no more fish at day’s end.

The Commander 286 is excellent value as a base boat, fitted with twin 250hp outboards, and a big standard factory specification and Australian package including upgraded windlass, stainless props and more For a base price of $200,686, it’s certainly a lot of boat.

You might need to add a trailer (about $12K), which is something our demo boat had amid a raft of options starting with the stunning twin 300hp Evinrude ETEC G2 outboards, an upgrade from the 250s.

We mentioned the Gulf Blue-coloured hull, but there was also an Ultima hardtop with a matching blue underside, plus a rocket launcher, spreader lights, Taco outriggers and more up top. The electric toilet with holding tank, clip-in bow backrests and infill cushions, LED lighting package, gas shocks on fishbox lids, back-up battery pre-rigging and so on brought the boat up to about $229K.

When you include the $35K of Simrad gear including 16in and 12in touch screens, 4G radar, StructureScan, VHF and a custom autopilot pod reaching back to the cockpit for aft trolling control, the final price of this special demonstrator was probably around $265K.

But this remains good buying when weighed up against other imported American centre consoles and traditional offshore fishing boats such as the twin-engine flybridge cruisers in the 25-30ft range. And with the ETEC G2s, your first service is five years away!

LAYOUT AND APPLICATION
- Purpose-built centre console with extensive sportsfishing fitout
A true American centre console, the big Commander 286 doesn’t break the mould but instead packs plenty of purpose-built kit in its deck mouldings. The big flared bow sheds water and improves volume up front, where traditional vee-shaped seating with storage below is the primary feature.

With the cushions removed you have a casting area, plus there’s a good amount of non-skid foredeck for standing in calm conditions, too. Integrated stainless steel grab rails and the anchoring upgrade with windlass will be welcome. True deep-water anchoring can be achieved with a separate reef pick and rode with retriever buoy in a tub.

But with the seat cushions in place, the bow serves as a social area to outstretch and ride in calm water. Comfort is boosted by the clip-in backrests that let you sit facing forward on the high-speed runs. There are two more seats immediately ahead of the centre console, thereby creating seating for four crew up front. It will be a popular spot for those Sunday blasts to an anchorage somewhere. Meantime, the bow storage ranges from the usual sub-seat areas and a fish box with overboard drain to an in-floor storage well with dedicated space for two 20-litre buckets.

Padded coamings run the length of the self-draining cockpit, there are stainless-steel toe rails alongside the console where you’re likely to fight fish, and once landed, your catch can be kept in top conditions in the twin insulated in-floor fish boxes with macerators. The side pockets include triple gaff and tag-pole racks, while deck-mounted drink holders alongside flush-mounted rod holders provide somewhere to plonk your jigs and rigs. The waterproof speakers front and back were hooked up to a seriously amped-up audio system that could be heard back ashore, we’re sure.

A so-called Euro-transom intends to sate both sportsfishing and social boaters. The corner seats have flip-up backrests with slide-in padded backrests for comfort and there is a centre lounge giving, all told, seats for four. The splash well holds a clip-out swim and dive ladder, further adding to the social-boating appeal.

You can fold all this aft seating away with just one hand and, quick as that, your fishing boat is rearing to go. With the seats folded flat, you get twin walk-throughs to the transom to aid gaffing, tagging and fighting fish around the outboards from a static or idling boat.

Recessed trim tabs and the Evinrude ETEC G2 clean rigging enhance the fishability some more and, with a decent amount of space aft of the console, the 286 Commander has one of the best fishing cockpits around. This boat would make a great reef and drift fishing, casting and cubing as well as obvious trolling platform.

Mid-transom, there’s a 114 litre live-bait tank and a four-rod rocket launcher. Together, they facilitate pitching live baits and switch baiting. The boat has both fresh- and saltwater deck washes, too.

The helm seat is mounted forward of a rigging station, which doubles the appeal of this boat’s cockpit fishing set-up. With 150-litre capacity and amidships location, this second live-bait well is actually the boat’s main holding tank. There’s a sink alongside and a whole dedicated tackle-storage strategy in a cabinet below. Everything from knives to traces, lure bags and more can be kept at hand.

The pull-out cooler in the rigging station is ideal for stowing the skip (gar) or swimming (mullet) baits, if not your lunch, while the powder-coated frame includes rod holders when rigging outfits and grab rails when riding to the grounds.

The upgraded Ultima hardtop has seven additional rod holders where you want them, away from the spray, plus the outriggers, recessed LED spreader lights, a moulded electronics box, Infinity stereo and, the piece de resistance, a Climate Cool System with four misters. Fish in comfort in the height of a tropical summer.

Underwater lights, blue mood lights, live-well lights and courtesy lights are all part of the upgraded LED package, while the console itself comfortably held the 16in and 12in Simrad touch screens, with NMEA engine data feed in place of the old-hat analogue gauges, the Evinrude ETEC LCD screen, and a lone bank of switches. All very simple on the dash front.

Step down and inside the 286’s centre console and you’ll find full headroom, the upgraded electric toilet with holding tank and OB discharge, sink and dry storage. Pack inflatable mattresses and sleeping bags, a gas barbecue and grub and you could eat, fish and sleep aboard.

HULL AND ENGINEERING
- Lifetime hull warranty and five-years till your first engine service
Despite the value-driven factor of the Sea Fox boats, they come with a Limited Lifetime Hull Warranty and excellent visual build quality. Construction is composites GRP with coring for the hull and deck, the through hulls are stainless steel, there are twin 1100gph bilge pumps with float switches, and a 575-litre aluminium fuel tank with water separator.

Transom hatches let you access the batteries, bilge and so on, while the Evinrude integrated power steering and clean rigging make for a very simple installation. The wiring, breakers and switching are first rate, while JSW Powersports has an outboard-engine background so you just know the installation and set-up will be spot on.

With this 286 Commander, we like the fact the hull has plenty of bow flare for shedding water and it did prove an exceptionally dry centre console. The 21 degrees of deadrise is pretty sharp and the 575 fuel supply is handy, but neither is quite as sharp or large as some of the high-end competition costing a premium.

ON THE WATER
- Maximum power and maximum potential
The trim tabs, throttles and stainless-steel wheel all fell to hand and the helm bucket seats double as a leaning posts, in that you can stand and lock yourself back into their supportive seat bases.

With twin 300hp outboards, this is a boat that likes to be driven and isn’t afraid to be pushed hard. At troll and cruise speeds, the elevation of the helm bucket seats permits fantastic vision for navigation and fish spotting.

As touched on, we had the remnants of a destructive cyclone to negotiate around the Seaway. Captain McNiven wasn’t holding back and with a mix of judicious outboard trim and astute throttle work we powered out at speed without pounding. Amazing.

It was only on the third or fourth impressive run that we found a little hole to fall into, but the big Commander 286 hull had by then cemented its position as a great offshore boat, The hull has sufficient deadrise and trim-ability to slice the swell, while also remaining dry and stable in the water.

As for the Evinrude ETEC G2s, well, they are transformative. The twin 300hp outboards are maximum power for the Commander 286, so we had no shortage of grunt and eye-watering top speed.

The engines were spinning 22 x 15in props but 24in pitch wheels might be fitted to gain a few extra knots top end, especially as the engines make their maximum horsepower at just 4700rpm.

As it was, acceleration and hole shot were stunning and before you could blink the eyes were streaming, the hair was horizontal and we were hurtling along the Broadwater. But the ride was always in control, whether from behind the wheel or as crew riding shotgun, standing and holding onto the tee-top frame.

The key figure touted as a nice cruise was confirmed by our subsequent test, that being, 3800rpm for 38 knots and 70 litres per hour. At this speed you get a safe range of 280nm from 90 per cent of the tank. That is, if you can maintain 38 knots cruise!

Interestingly, the revs almost seemed to correspond with the speed. Back at 4000rpm we got 40 knots for about 78lt/hr. Fast cruise of 4300rpm gave 42.5 knots for 91lt/hr and a safe range of 240nm, while 5700rpm WOT returned 55 knots on the GPS. Bigger props might give a few knots more over our previous test of this boat with twin Yamaha F300s.

With Just Captain McNiven and myself aboard, we powered through the SeaWay and thankfully Jeff backed off to 35 knots! But the Commander 286 was up to the task and the fantastic integrated power steering adds to your control, command and driving pleasure.

Later, boating colleagues who were at an unrelated on-water event said they couldn’t help but hear the jet-engine like roar of the Commander 286 as we came tearing down the Broadwater.

Certainly, the 286 commands a lot of attention and with the huge grunt on this tricked up demonstrator it is a stunning example of a Sea Fox with the lot.

VERDICT
- Demonstrator with the lot including ETEC power
The 286 has a big boat feel and its dominance on the water was appreciated in the wake of Cyclone Martha, during offshore tests in snotty conditions. The boat has everything that opens and shuts and some special kit that opens up the realms of possibilities.

The autopilot remote set-up let’s you troll shorthanded and adjust course from the cockpit (wearing the safety cut-off lanyard just in case). So you can hook into the action on a whim, fishing just two-up for those inshore black marlin or on the canyons for the big blues.

You could also fish away and do a night at Tangalooma or the back of Stradbroke, troll your way up to Port Stephens or Bermagui, and gad about the distant tropical reefs. With autopilot and 4G radar you can reel in the sea miles hands-free after a long day afloat.

The 300hp Evinrude ETECs and the professional fitup from JSW Powersports make the most of the Sea Fox. And with electric toilet, clip-in bow backrests and infill cushions, transforming this sportsfisher into a go-fast runabout for streaking to a Sunday anchorage or a waterfront restaurant is a cinch.

Such things, you must admit, would be good for your sanity and this-go-fast sportsfisher and social sportsboat is a great fit in the today’s fast-paced boating world.

LIKES
>> Beautifully rigged sportsfisher with the latest powerful Evinrude ETEC G2s.
>> Excellent handling and seaworthiness with a smooth ride in the rough stuff.
>> Neat short-handed fishing set-up with Simrad autopilot controller in cockpit.
>> Relatively good value in the maxi American centre-console market.
>> Strong local backing and expert outboard-engine setup.

NOT SO MUCH
>> The beautiful swim ladder needs to be better retained than in the clips in the splash well.
>> Moulded hardtop could do with some beefing up for hardcore, hard-driving use.
>> Bigger props would be needed for more than a few knots top-speed gain over the previous Yamaha 300hp FourStroke combo

RATINGS
Overall rating: 22.5/25 = 90%
Mechanical/equipment: 4.0/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.5/5.0
On the water Performance: 4.50/5.0
Value for money: 4.75/5.0
X-factor: 4.75/5.0

Specifications:
Price as tested: $229,00 with upgrades including twin 300hp Evinrude ETEC outboards, bow backrest with cushions, bow filler board with cushion, electric toilet with holding tank, overboard waste discharge, Gulf Shores Blue coloured hull reverse, Ultima hardtop underside paint in Gulf Shores Blue, LED lighting package, pre-rig for back-up battery, Pro Package - Sea Fox cushioned footmat, gas shocks on 2 fishbox lids, trim tab upgraded LED indicator switch, powdercoating package – Ultima hardtop, fibreglass pod and aft rod rack powdercoating in white, Taco outriggers and more. Excluded from this price was the $35,000 worth of Simrad electronics onboard such as 16’ touch screen, 12’ touch screen, 4G radar, structure scan, auto pilot, VHF, remote control and more.
Priced from: $200,686 with twin 250hp outboards
Centreline Length: 8.50m
Beam: 2.90m
Bridge Clearance: 2.50m
Dry Weight: 2267kg
Maximum Weight: 2948 kg
Deadrise: 21 degrees
Draft: 0.50m
Fuel Capacity: 757 litres
Maximum Horsepower : 600hp
Engines on test: 2 x 300hp Evinrude ETEC G2, V6 74 degree E-TEC D.I, 1:85: 1 gear ration, three notches up, spinning 22 x 15in props on the 30in transom
Standard Seating: Fibreglass pod with two oversized custom captain's chairs inc. flip-up bolster on independent slide system

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