Sea Jay 5.6 Striker Centre Console: Review

Bundaberg’s Sea Jay Boats is best known for its huge range of pressed alloy tinnies and open boats, but the company also has a first class range of plate alloy craft – called the Sea Jay Plate Xtremes. One of the most popular is the 5.6m Striker. We tested this rugged alloy centre console, coupled with Yamaha’s superb new F130A four-stroke outboard.

OVERVIEW
- A full range of custom plate alloy boats direct from the factory
Sea Jay boats is one of the country’s leading aluminium boat builders. Established back in 1989, this Bundaberg-based family-owned company has always manufactured a very large range of pressed alloy boats, available from a nation-wide dealer network. During the past half dozen years or so Sea Jay has also offered buyers the Plate Xtreme range of full plate aluminium boats, available for purchase directly from the Sea Jay factory.

In the Sea Jay Plate Xtreme range, there are open-console, half-cabin and centre-cabin models available. Sizes range from 4.8m through to 6.8m for the console boats and 5.6 to 8.0m for the cabin boats. In total there are more than 20 Sea Jay Plate Xtreme models to choose from.

Two different styles of centre console are available. The Preda-Kings have a traditional two-person width console positioned roughly in the centre of the boat. The Preda-Kings are available in 5.1, 5.6, 6.0, 6.4, and 6.8m lengths.

For those anglers looking for more foredeck fishing space, Sea Jay has the Striker range which has a narrower console unit positioned further astern. Side console versions are also available and these models provide you with full fishing deck access down the port side of the boat.

The Sea Jay Strikers come in 5.1, 5.6, and 6.0m model lengths. The subject of this review is the mid-sized, 5.6m centre-console craft, powered by Yamaha’s new F130A four-stroke outboard.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- Well priced with everything you need
At a glance, the Sea Jay Striker looks to be quite sparsely appointed, notable interior features being the console unit, twin, lift-out seats and a huge forward casting deck. However, there is much more to the boat than that. The Striker comes standard with an array of fishing features including a plumbed 40-litre live-bait tank built into the transom, an alloy bait board with two rod holders, six in-deck alloy rod holders, and two extra-large dry storage lockers under the forward casting deck – one of which is rigged to take an ice box.

The Striker also has massively wide side decks, plenty of cockpit freeboard, elevated side storage pockets and transom battery lockers.

General gear and equipment includes hydraulic steering, 200-litre underfloor fuel tank, transom boarding platforms with ladder and dive door, carpeted self-draining cockpit, bilge pump, switch panel, battery master switch, water separating filter, bow and stern rails, LED lighting, foam flotation (to Basic Standard) and two transducer/trim tab mounting brackets.

With a Redco tandem-axle braked trailer, and with the standard 115hp Yamaha four-stroke outboard, the Striker 5.6m is well priced at $53,900.

There were only two options on the test rig – the vinyl hull wrap to the topsides and the upgrade to the new F130A lightweight Yamaha four-stroke outboard. With boat and trailer registrations and an inshore safety gear pack, the test boat package is priced at $56,640.

Standard and popular options include an anchor winch and rope kit, checker-plate alloy floor (instead of carpet), coloured topsides, deck wash, 120-litre plastic ice box, and trim tabs.

INTERIOR LAYOUT
- Keeping it simple
With its big forward casting deck (1.98m x 2.12m) and rear mounted centre console, the Striker 5.6 is ideal for anglers looking to cast lures, soft plastics, poppers and more. You can see this craft running the barra rivers of FNQ and the Northern Territory, yet being equally at home chasing spotted mackerel in Brisbane’s Moreton Bay. It is a versatile open boat suited to a range of fishing styles.

The interior layout is quite plain and simple – but it works. The huge forward deck provides plenty of standing fishing room, whilst there is ample storage space underneath.

At the bow, alongside the large open anchor well is a plate for an electric trolling motor, along with short, low bow rails. The bow is well set-up for anchoring with a bow sprit, bow roller, fairlead and bollard, though we would like to see some noise deadening carpet in the anchor well itself.

Between the forward and rear casting deck lockers there is a floor socket to accept one of the two-lift out pedestal chairs. If you fitted a bow-mount, foot control electric trolling motor, this bow seat is where you would control the motor from – keeping your hands free for chucking lures, etc.

As you would expect there is minimal freeboard up forward in the Striker as the forward deck is elevated some 300mm above the rear and centre floor area. Alongside the console and in the rear part of the boat however, there is a substantial 600mm of freeboard as a minimum.

The console unit is tall and slim – so you can get past it easily enough when fishing to each side and when moving fore and aft. There is ample space for electronics and engine gauges as well as a storage shelf underneath.

The dark tinted acrylic screen offers good shelter for the skipper, and the grab rail surrounding the windscreen is very useful for the standing crew.

The Striker is okay to drive while seated, but the layout of the console encourages you to stand at the helm as the steering wheel and side mounted throttle then falls comfortably to hand.

With the console mounted toward the stern of the Striker, there is not a whole lot of deck space in the rear cockpit, though the helm seat does lift straight out and can be moved forward as required. This creates more space and there is ample freeboard along the transom wall so you can stand and fish over the stern very easily.

Features in this area include the starboard side live-bait tank, decent-sized bait board, elevated side storage pockets and channels in the transom corners leading to the scuppers for the self-draining system.

There is access to the bilge via two inspection ports in the rear cockpit and another on the rear boarding platform.

PERFORMANCE
- Silky smooth power from Yamaha’s F130A four-stroke
The introduction of the F130A four cylinder 1832cc, 16-valve DOHC four-stroke outboard has filled a gap in the Yamaha four-stroke outboard range. Until the release of this new, lightest-in-class outboard, customers looking for mid-range power had to choose between the smaller 115hp four-stroke, or jump right through to the 150hp model.

The F130A is based around the smaller F115B, but has a number of key differences. Among them is the use of a single, microprocessor controlled electronic throttle intake valve. The system interprets the skipper’s hand movements on the throttle lever to make more precise throttle adjustments to suit the prevailing engine temperature and atmospheric conditions. This works in conjunction with new fuel injection and ignition technology to provide virtually instant throttle response for quicker hole-shots and better, more responsive acceleration throughout the rev range.

During our test of the Sea Jay Striker we were certainly impressed with the acceleration and overall performance of the Yamaha F130A. The boat and engine combination proved quick from a standing start and through the middle rev range. The package yielded a top speed of 37.5 knots, and a comfortable cruise at 4,000rpm of 22.9 knots.

According to data supplied by Yamaha, the F130A is most economical at 3,500rpm, consuming a mere 12.75 litres per hour while traveling at 18.5knots. This would yield a maximum range on 95 per cent of Sea Jay’s standard 200-litre fuel tank of 275 nautical miles.

Our full review of the Yamaha F130A can be found here, but some of the other key features include a high output 35amp alternator (with 28 amps delivered at just 1,000rpm), a variable trolling speed function when set-up with Yamaha’s Command Link digital display, a 5mm offset crankshaft for improved efficiency, and the new Yamaha Shift Dampener System which delivers smoother, quieter gear shifting when combined with the newly-developed Talon series of SDS propellers.

ON THE WATER
- A big, stable, comfortable fishing platform
The Sea Jay Striker is a good looking craft with smooth topsides, a raised sheer-line at the bow, and a 17.5 degree vee hull bottom. The sides, bottom and transom are all made from 4mm plate aluminium.

The Striker has a modest 2.3m maximum beam, but this width combines with reverse chines to provide the boat with exceptional stability at rest, along with excellent buoyancy in the stern – which is important in a craft with a rear-mounted centre console.

Underway the 4mm plate vee hull bottom with single spray/planing strake provides a comfortable ride, and will easily cope with choppy inshore and coastal chop.

The high bows suppress spray well; we stayed completely dry during our water test of this craft – though the conditions were relatively calm. That said, we doubt you’ll find a drier centre console in this size range.

As noted earlier, the Sea Jay proved quick and responsive with the Yamaha F130A on the transom. You certainly do not need more power – and you could easily get by with the smaller Yamaha F115B on the transom.

VERDICT
- A winning combination from Sea Jay and Yamaha
The Sea Jay 5.6 Striker has all the attributes anglers look for in a good fishing craft – lots of fishing space, stability, rugged construction, plenty of standard fishing features, safe, economical performance, a comfortable ride, and easy handling.

In the 5.6m size, the Striker is also versatile, easily capable of fishing offshore waters, yet not too big to tackle lakes, rivers and impoundments for bass, barra or bream.

In combination with the Yamaha F130A, the Sea Jay 5.6 Striker is an excellent fishing craft, one that most anglers will be very proud to own.

LIKES
- Excellent stability
- Simple but useful layout
- Big casting deck
- High cockpit freeboard
- Comfortable, dry ride
- Ripper new Yamaha four-stroke

NOT SO MUCH
- Could use carpet in anchor well to reduce anchor clatter
- No stern cleats

RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.68/5.0
Mechanical/equipment: 4.7/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.7/5.0
On the water performance: 4.6/5.0
Value for money: 4.8/5.0
X-factor: 4.6/5.0

PERFORMANCE
3.51kts (6.5km/h) @ 1000rpm
4.91kts (9.1km/h) @ 1500rpm
6.21kts (11.5km/h) @ 2000rpm
7.02kts (13.0km/h) @ 2500rpm
12.26kts (22.7km/h) @ 3000rpm
18.47kts (34.2km/h) @ 3500rpm
22.90kts (42.4km/h) @ 4000rpm
25.70kts (47.6km/h) @ 4500rpm
29.81kts (55.2km/h) @ 5000rpm
32.78kts (60.7km/h) @ 5500rpm
35.80kts (66.3km/h) @ 6000rpm
37.48kts (69.4km/h) @ 6300rpm (WOT)

PERFORMANCE – ECONOMY
2.05 l/ph @ 1000rpm
3.40 l/ph @ 1500rpm
5.05 l/ph @ 2000rpm
7.85 l/ph @ 2500rpm
10.10 l/ph @ 3000rpm
12.75 l/ph @ 3500rpm
16.25 l/ph @ 4000rpm
19.40 l/ph @ 4500rpm
25.70 l/ph @ 5000rpm
33.20 l/ph @ 5500rpm
42.20 l/ph @ 6000rpm
46.35 l/ph @ 6300rpm (WOT)

Maximum range on 95 per cent of 200 litre fuel tank: 275.2nm @ 3500rpm

Specifications:
Price as tested: $56,640 including Yamaha 130hp extra-longshaft (25”) four-stroke engine, Redco tandem axle braked trailer, dual batteries, vinyl hull wrap, anchor, rope and chain, boat and trailer registrations, and an inshore safety gear pack for four people (including EPIRB and compass). Price is direct from the Bundaberg factory and does not include freight.
Priced from: $53,900 with a Yamaha 115hp extra-longshaft (25”) four-stroke outboard and Redco tandem axle braked trailer.
Length overall: 5.96m
Hull length: 5.68m
Beam: 2.3m
Depth: 1.31
Hull weight: 710kg
Towing weight: 1335kg
Deadrise: 17.5 degrees
Bottom & transom alloy: 4mm
Topsides alloy: 4mm
Maximum power: 150hp
Maximum engine weight: 230kg
Engine as tested: Yamaha 130hp four-stroke
Fuel: 200 litres
Maximum persons: Six

Supplied by:
Sea Jay Boats
Phone: (07) 4152 2111.
Email: info@seajayboats.com.au
Website: www.seajayboats.com.au