The trained observer would say the Sea Fox 286CC is a very capable fishing machine geared to the hard-core fishing aficionado, and they'd be right ... and wrong. While this 28-footer is loaded with standard fishing features, it has enough creature comforts to appeal to those who think a Bimini twist is some kind of island dance.
Unique Factor
On most pure fishing boats, the seating is limited to basic leaning posts, abbreviated jump seats and the old standby, the gunwale. What puts the flagship of Sea Fox's center console fleet on a different level is the abundance of quality seating - especially in the forward section of the boat. In front of the console, instead of a bench seat narrower than an Olympic balance beam, there are twin bucket seats with a pair of cupholders in between that bring the cupholder count to an unfishing-boat-like total of 10. Although many large center consoles feature twin bench seats up front, Sea Fox is the only one that has curved backrests so riders can recline in total comfort facing rearward with the optional filler cushions. About the only other thing we could have used up here to complete the package was a bow table option.
While feature-loaded T-tops may not be rare, on our test boat it's not an expensive mid-four-figure option; it's standard. Unfortunately, we were testing it during a record low temperature day in Charleston, SC, so we didn't get to use the four SST misters, which are like air conditioning on equatorial-hot summer days. There's a built-in electronics box and even a Clarion four-speaker MP3 CD stereo for boogying while you cruise or fish. This thing is lit up like Las Vegas with twin recessed spreader lights and six white and two red LED lights for preserving night vision. You can even get blue mood lighting for evening cruises.
Performance
Although you could probably get a Sea Fox dealer to put smaller engines than the twin 250 hp Suzuki four-strokes on the transom, you shouldn't. Taking the 286CC to its maximum 500 hp is the correct play. We launched quickly, assisted by four-blade 22- inch Powertech props that gave us maximum bite, getting on plane with minimum bowrise in just 4.2 seconds. The Suzukis have a level power curve, which means we smoothly accelerated to 30 mph in 7.9 seconds and continued to gather steam until we reached a top speed of 54.1 miles per hour. Even more impressive was the fact we were lugging a topped-off 200-gallon fuel tank, just in case we wanted to make a break for Florida. As we continued from Patriot's Point toward Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, a dash for warmer weather became less likely as the seas began to build.
Dillon Donnelly
Dillon Donnelly
Handling
As we worked our way through the 3-foot seas, spray was directed outward, thanks to the generous Carolina flare. Despite the ugly conditions, we found a happy, economical cruise speed of 35 mph that was comfortable and dry. We found we could stay on plane at only 16 mph thanks to the standard recessed Lenco trim tabs.
At 9 feet, 8 inches wide, the 286CC is incredibly beamy and a very stable platform, even when we cut the power and were drifting beam-to the waves. It has 21 degrees of deadrise, which helped the 5,000-pound hull slash through the rough water. While the Sea Fox has a big-boat feel, this was belied by its nimble cornering ability, facilitated by the standard spinner knob on the stainless steel destroyer wheel.
Best Uses
Despite the passenger amenities such as the hybrid leaning post seats that feature individual sliders for custom comfort and flip-up bolsters for stand-up pleasure, this is about as complete a fishing machine as you will find. Our test boat is outfitted with the Team Edition package, which gives it a model name 2380T, so it can run in the under-23-foot class on the SKA kingfish tour. Yeah, right, sort of like being the world's tallest midget (or is it shortest giant?). In addition, the package includes useful features such as a thick cushion underfoot for the driver and co-angler as well as a windlass and an additional 30-gallon livewell with LED lighting behind the leaning post to go with the standard 40-gallon stern ‘well. One useful big-boat feature is the forward in-deck storage compartment deep enough to hold three 5-gallon buckets — perfect for cast nets. And the ultra-wide forward section of the gunwale — made possible by the Carolina flare — that gives net tossers a place to stand and fling pancakes. One of the few things I didn't care for was the Armstrong boarding ladder that you have to hook up each time you use it, something that's not possible if you accidentally fall overboard.
Preferred Setup
Adding little extras to fully rig an offshore boat can break the bank and is a sneaky way to tout a low base price, but Sea Fox doesn't play that game. Standard features include side-by- side, coiled fresh- and raw-water hoses, a full cockpit combing pad, twin fishboxes with macerators and a bait-rigging station with a sink, tackle drawers and rod holders galore (we lost count at 19). While the 286CC rigged with twin Suzuki 250s has an MSRP of $116,320, most will sell for less than 100K.
Loading the 286CC to the max means opting for the colored hull, folding aft bench to go with the pair of stern jump seats and choosing pull-up cleats and the Suzuki digital gauge package. Sea Fox uses Garmin as its optional electronics supplier and leaves plenty of room for big-screen viewing on the tall console, but the other gauges are pushed far to the right, just in case you are installing a 42-inch plasma TV. Going down to the center console, we opened the optional door, which includes tubes for kites as well as a fish ruler with dedicated storage so you and your onboard lawyer can decide if a fish is a keeper. With 6 feet of headroom, the head comes with a Porta Potti, but ours has the more upscale china bowl king's throne. Fitting, I'd say.