Tested | Seafarer Victory 6m Hardtop with Suzuki 200HP

Описание: Initially developed and built on the Gold Coast by boat builder Lindsay Fry, it was around a decade ago that the Brisbane based Haines Group took over this iconic brand. Indeed, not a weekend went by down on the north coast of NSW when I didn’t see a fleet of Seafarer V-Seas dodging waves on the river bars on their way to slaying piles of reefies.

The boats were legendary, so it was good to see that they went to a good home and to a company that would continue to refine the product.

The latest version of the Seafarer Victory 6.0m is a case in point. Recognising that the hull didn’t need to change, the new Seafarer chiefs decided that top deck modifications were needed to modernise the offering and include viable options like a hard top and bigger cabin into the range.

That’s how this iteration was born.

We got to take out the new Victory for a run on Moreton Bay with Seafarer expert, Chris Thompson on an average day in July - a calmish morning with building breezes that pretty accurately emulate what you’d go through on a day’s fishing, a rough ride home.

Chris explained the changes to the boat in his video boat test we filmed (scan the QR Code above on your mobile or search Seafarer on the Fishing Monthly Magazines YouTube channel), however we will summarise it here.

“The cabin is bigger with a higher roof to accommodate the optional hard top and the transom has been cleaned up - we no longer have a need for oil filling ports and the like with the dominance of modern 4-stroke outboards. There’s also a redesigned anchor well and a dash capable of holding a 16” flush mounted sounder, as well as 9” outboard gauges - simultaneously.” he said.

Indeed the test rig was powered by Suzuki’s Lean Burn 200HP 4-stroke outboard - an outboard that comes out of the same Brisbane warehouse as the boat, so naturally the two were a nice match.

And with the optional hard top fitted on the test boat, we got the full ‘enclosed’ experience on a run around the southern bay. Both with and against the chop, there was always a comfortable speed to travel and often the aligned with the most economical cruising speed.

3,500rpm delivered 1.9km/L at 32kmh and this was right in the comfort zone for traversing a paddock of wind chop versus tide. The rig didn’t want to dig in when quartering a sea downwind and the steering was light and responsive. I would have liked a place to rest the forearm while riding the throttle, but this was a small criticism of what was otherwise a very comfortable drive.

Standard in the boat now is a side door. Great for loading the boat while on the water or on the trailer, the door eliminates the need for a transom door, allowing easy placement of dual live bait tanks on either side of the transom.

Right in the middle of the transom is a padded, retractable lounge that tucks neatly out of the way when the fishing business starts. Other options like a raw water deck wash and bait rigging station make the operation of an efficient fishing area pretty easy.

Finishing off the practical side is a SeaDek covered cockpit floor that easily maintainable with a hose and really makes the interior look the goods.

Up front, the cabin is eminently comfortable, with a lined cabin and a level of fitout that reflects the $106,990 bill for the test rig.

Packages do start at $79,770 with a soft top and down spec fittings, so there may be a combination between the two that suits your budget and needs. There are currently 6 dealers nationally that can get you into a new Seafarer package.

For more information, visit the Seafarer website at www.seafarerboats.com.au or Like Seafarer Boats on Facebook to get the latest updates about the brand.


SPECIFICATIONS

Length 6.0m
Beam 2.4m
Transom Deadrise 21°
Fuel 200L
Max HP 225
Capacity 7 persons

PERFORMANCE

RPM Speed (km/h) Economy (km/L)
650 5 3.8
1000 6 2.5
2000 10 1.4
3000 18 1.3
3500 32 1.9
4000 45 1.8
4500 52 1.8
5000 59 1.7
6000 72 1.2
6300 74 1.0