sea fox 228 Commander

You will have noticed this boat’s sleek design and subtle curves out on the water before. You were overtaken by this yacht while cruising on Lake Michigan. You looked on in envy as a threadbare crew hauled aboard a Marlin twice as large as the one you had just caught off the Cape Cod coast. Or you admired the compact and pleasing form of this 22-foot, entry-level, dual-purpose, center-console fishing runabout as it wowed onlookers in the Key Largo marina. That’s because thousands of 228 Commander hulls have been sold to buyers around the world, from California to Capri, Australia to Annapolis.

There is no one reason why this boat has become the people’s choice, but perhaps the Sea Fox approach to build-quality might have something to do with it. This yacht’s composite hull and deck have been bonded together at various key points to eliminate structural stresses as the yacht tackles turbulent waters, producing a rock-solid vessel that truly moves as one. The V-hull features a spiky 18-degree transom deadrise form for a sense of adroitness on the turn and an ability to calmly carve through oncoming waves, while a wide Carolina flare bow-entry manages to deflect most spray and keep the main-deck dry. Aluminum frames are powder-coated to retain their salt-resistant radiance for years, while an isophthalic gel-coating and a vinylester barrier coat keeps your hull’s livery, available in your choice of paint job, glowing with an unblemished sheen even after a thousand miles of offshore cruising. Sand-grip deck surfaces and a self-draining cockpit offer guests that sense of sure-footed security as they pace across the deck, while intuitively placed cleats, grab-rails, rub-rails, bolts and fasteners boast the unmistakable certitude of stainless steel. Finally, kudos must go to the dedicated team of craftsmen, artisans and engineers at the vast Sea Fox facility in Monck’s Corner, South Carolina, who tirelessly work to hand-finish each craft and deliver a factory-fresh, turn-key ready boat.

Recent years have seen a surge in demand for faster boats with swifter acceleration, and Sea Fox have been at the forefront of this mass movement. That’s why you will find a single-configured 200HP Yamaha F200XB outboard engine fixed to the stern of this boat as standard, with top speeds of around 39 knots and nought to 26 knots taking a mere 7.5 seconds. Upgrade to a Yamaha F250XCB engine with greater horsepower and even faster full-throttle speeds are on offer for those who need that extra bite in their motors. Enhanced agility to hunt down the twisting torso of a top-water tuna is available at a center-console helm in the form of Dometic Seastar steering wheel lined in steel or an optional Yamaha power-assisted hydraulic wheel. Add Lenco trim-tab switches to the mix and make use of two Garmin multi-function display screens, a high-speed top-mounted compass as well as necessities like hand-held VHF and analogue gauges to confidently steer your way to fish-rich feeding grounds far from shore. Comfort is guaranteed at this helm thanks to twin piloting seats with flip-up footrests, while a teak-effect sole underfoot provides a non-slip surface for pilots who prefer a standing position at the wheel. The helm sits deftly underneath an Ultima roof with a neon-effect, transparent ceiling finish that boasts LED lighting, overhead storage, rod holders to aft, an illuminated switch panel and Fusion stereo controls from where you can control the vibe.

The 228 Commander receives an unequivocal thumbs-up from families who enjoy the comfort, style and amenities that are peppered throughout what seems like every inch of this yacht’s deck. A transom dive-door to starboard opens up to reveal a compact bathing platform with an integrated ladder from where the kids will set off on swims to nearby sandbars, while divers making use of plentiful under-seat storage for flippers and snorkeling masks will scour the seabed for polychromatic coral. A towbar to stern, meanwhile, can be used to give water-skiers and wakeboarders the thrill of their lives. Not all enjoyment on this boat has to be so high-octane, however, with plenty of plush seating available. A pop-up transom sofa to the rear is joined by a luxurious bow-rider lounge up front comprising a forward-facing twin-seat and a wrap-around, V-shaped sofa with a clam-shell layout, comfortable backrests and swish diamond-stitched cushions tracing the lines of the bow itself. Built-in cupholders line the gunwale, while Fusion stereo speakers, padded coamings and a flip-up table set the scene for magical, moonlit nights spent reminiscing on old memories and creating new ones. If you are enjoying your 228 Commander in the warm summer months then you will be pleased to know that both the forward lounge and the cockpit can be covered by extending Weathermax shades, while a Climate Cool misting system is on hand to send refreshing clouds of chilled vapor your way during the peak of the midday heat. And should you hear the call of nature then a conveniently built head with a port-side access door built into the helm console is on hand with an electric toilet, a 12.5 gallon holding tank and extra storage room.

It’s a good thing fish don’t vote, or they would doubtlessly register their displeasure at the 228 Commander’s mammoth fishing credentials. The perfect choice for a crack team of close friends aiming to win tournaments or leisurely afternoons teaching the young ones how to cast a line, there is barely any wasted space across this boat’s fish-focused deck. A compact, walk-around layout allows anglers to laterally track their prey as it moves, while sloped lines to stern encourage access to the sea and a casting platform by the bow can be used to throw out your lines. There are plenty of rod-holders in the gunwale and affixed to the rear of the hard-top, while discreet rod storage is built into the bulwark. A 30-gallon aquarium-style pressurized livewell with a window and a light sits to stern, there’s a couple of insulated fish-boxes at the transom and towards the bow, while further in-sole storage is located on the foredeck and a 65-quart cooler chest is positioned behind the helm seats.

Yet there is one last reason why this yacht remains the people’s choice, and that is the immense value for money that it represents. Scores of discerning clients choose the Sea Fox 228 Commander because of price points that are frequently among the most competitive on the market, making this vessel not only a great piece of naval engineering, but a sound acquisition, too.