The latest BMT package by Western Australia’s oldest marine dealership represents a pinnacle in the Australian recreational boating scene, backed by quality and long-standing reputations. BARRY WISEMAN trials the Seafarer Victory 6.2HT.

With the so-called ‘Godfather of Perth boating’, Laurie Chivers, stepping back from the helm these days, I joined his son Luke, now running the family business in Bibra Lake, for a spin on Cockburn Sound on what is a new product from Australian icon, Seafarer Boats.

Chivers Marine had fitted the top-of-the-range Yamaha 200hp outboard motor on the transom, delivering the latest in digital technology including electronic steering, auto trim, soft or hard steering friction and even cruise control.

What a delight to step aboard. In fact, a 42-knot delight!     

The name Seafarer is synonymous in the nation’s recreational boating market, as it’s a time-honoured product of the Haines Group, founded by John Haines Senior in Queensland.

Over the decades this iconic name in the fibreglass trailerboat market has gone from strength to strength, the product of a family of recreational fishers with John’s wife Alinda and sons, John and Greg.

Since his dad’s death in 2009, John junior has been running the Haines Group and it is still a family business, producing some of the most popular trailerboats in the country.  

The Seafarer hull was developed by Doug Fry in 1957 and Haines acquired the brand from his son Lindsay in 2009, making sure this respected family business remained Australian made and owned.      

Team up this Aussie favourite with the latest outboard technology from Yamaha, mount it on another well-established Australian family product, an alloy I-beam heavy duty trailer from Dunbier, and you have a quality BMT package backed by a leading WA marine dealership.

“We see this as the relaunch of the Seafarer brand in WA because these latest boats are from a completely new upper deck mould, in particular this 6.2 Victory Hard Top which we think will prove very popular in WA’s open ocean conditions,” said Luke Chivers as we reversed off the finger jetty at Woodman Point boat ramp.

“The stylish top offers protection with a full height curved windscreen, out-of-weather storage for marine radios and stereo equipment in the console above, plus a spacious dash to accommodate displays up to 16-inch.

“The facia can take more electronics and there is still the space behind the screen if needed.”

The hardtop provides excellent height for the tallest person and above the skipper’s head I noticed a small rectangular Yamaha display unit.

Luke explained it was part of the brain behind the fully digitalised 200hp motor on the transom.

Finger touch of the menu gives you light or heavy steering friction, plus Trim Assist for those new to boating and in need of help to adjust the motor to cope with ocean conditions.

You can also monitor your fuel consumption.

Clear of the breakwater, we were sitting on 23 knots and in terrific conditions we could have cruised all day.

Adjusting the throttle, we were doing 25 knots according to the Simrad NSS Evo3s 12-inch display, with a fuel consumption of 1.0736 litres per nautical mile – a near perfect ratio.

With the stiff easterly starting to drop off, opening the roof vents port and starboard allowed the cool breeze off the ocean to sweep through under the hardtop.  

This solid structure is supported by heavy-duty stainless-steel stanchions at the front and amidships, behind the screen.

A similar targa structure at the rear of the roof also featured six rod holders.

Two of the four stereo speakers on board were fitted nearby along with the Hella Australia rear deck floodlight.

The stereo control panel was mounted on the dash, with the other two speakers port and starboard.

The skipper and co-pilot have luxury bucket seats fitted with bolster cushions to support the lower back.

On the bow there was a Viper electric anchor winch, with the circuit breaker and toggle switch for deploying and stowing located on the starboard wall of the cabin.

Not far away were the sleek, compact digital controls for the Yamaha motor, flush mounted on the starboard helm wall.

As usual, it comes with the trim/tilt toggle switch, although this hand control also features the cruise control switch.

On a long run, it’s a matter of selecting your speed to suit the conditions for a comfortable ride and flick the switch.

Sit back and relax and, as with your motor vehicle, any movement of the throttle dis-engages cruise control, confirmed by the sound of an alarm from the unit.

The Yamaha F200 XSA with digital technology is the icing on the cake, plus you can also add Yamaha’s Helm Master system giving you auto pilot and joystick control, allowing you to hover over your favourite fishing spot.

In the cabin up front there are full length side bunks, which on this occasion had the infill cushion fitted to convert it into a double berth.

There’s the usual storage under the bunks for sleeping bags and extra clothing, plus the large double side pockets are handy.

It’s an open bulkhead allowing easy access and plenty of ventilation on a warm night at Rottnest Island or up the Murray River at Mandurah.

A set of storm covers could easily convert this day boat into a comfortable overnighter.

While the skipper’s seat is mounted on a moulded fibreglass box with storage, the passenger seat comes on a stainless-steel frame, providing secure anchoring for the large ice box underneath.

Both seats have moulded footrests and the Seafarer designers have taken the opportunity to include hinged lids to offer more storage.

There’s room for binoculars and sunscreen in the port sidewall of the cabin, plus the usual glove box on the dash for mobile phones and vehicle keys.

A kill tank under the deck, between the two seats, can double as a dive locker for fins and snorkel gear.

Astern, the cockpit is roomy with ample space to fish four people, with dedicated rod holders along the gunwales.

The Victory is rated to carry up to seven people or 630kg.

As well as the rod holders in the targa, there’s room in the full-length port side pocket for more rods, using the dedicated racks and straps.

There’s a bank of tackle drawers in the moulded fibreglass seat box under the skipper’s seat, plus side and front compartments.

On the transom there are two plumbed live-bait tanks with viewing windows.

I could well imagine one doubling up as an insulated ice box for those drinks on a hot day.

Both illuminate at night and support a very substantial removable bait station, which also doubles as a table.

Between the live-bait tanks and in front of the bait station, there’s a folding rear lounge to accommodate three adults or four ankle biters.

Like the bucket seats, the upholstery is first class.

When Luke drove this rig onto the apron at the boat ramp my eyes immediately focused on the starboard side.

In modifying the 6.2 mould, the designers had taken the opportunity to include a substantial hinged door on the right-hand side, perfect for stepping aboard at the jetty.

Over the years the Victory has evolved and has been a popular choice with anglers and family boaters.

It’s still available as a soft top, however this new hardtop version with the side door is bound to win a lot of votes.  

Big fish can be retrieved through the side, scuba divers can walk off and into the deep, plus bathers can climb down the dedicated drop-in stainless steel side boarding ladder for a dip.

This side opening does away with the need for a transom door, hence the provision of two live-bait tanks.

When loading gear in the driveway at home or the hardstand, you open the door and have good access to the cockpit.

Supported by heavy duty stainless hinges and latch, the door is the same thickness as the side walls.

Stainless surrounds protect the opening in the GPR as well as adding strength.

With many club and public boat ramps moving away from fixed finger jetties and converting to floating pontoons, it's a simple matter of walking into the cockpit – a great safety feature for all ages.

This new above-water level design brings other changes to the transom compared with earlier models.

Not only do you have the twin live-bait tanks and folding rear lounge, but the whole interior transom wall is now closed in, giving protection from sea water and the weather.

The batteries and rear shelving are now behind closed hatches, keeping this area watertight and easier to wash down.

The standard desk-wash hose is in the port quarter.

The deck on the review boat was covered with teak planking high-density Eva foam for ease underfoot and a quick hose down removes any stains.

An automatic pump clears the bilge of any water at a rapid rate.

There’s foam flotation under the deck along with a 200-litre fuel tank supporting the power pack on the transom.

The Yamaha F200 XSA comes with digital electric steering (DES) and digital electric control (DEC).

The fuel filler is in the engine well on the transom for easy filling at the service station.

Trim tabs are fitted to the transom, while the new mould has produced a bigger engine well to accommodate today’s taller powerhead outboard engines so they can achieve full tilt mode.

The on-water performance of the Seafarer Victory has always been impressive, with its sharp entry and full-length strakes.

The deadrise is still 21 degrees, making it an excellent offshore performer.

Nothing has changed on this new-look Victory 6.2 below the water, except to include through-hull locations for sonar transducers, two if required.

Chivers Marine took advantage of that and installed a pair of Simrad SS175L 1kW units to feed uninterrupted signals back to the Simrad 12-inch unit at the helm in deep and shallow water.

We skipped across Cockburn Sound at various speeds and even at WOT, the display readout remained perfect.

With millpond conditions on the test day and just over 100 litres of fuel in the tank and two big blokes on board, we opened her up.

As expected, the Victory stuck like glue to the surface.

At low and high speed, this hull remains level.

No bow-high traits nor loss of vision as the digital throttle increased.

The Simrad speed setting was on knots and within seconds we were registering the high 30s.

Preferring to use the manual trim rather than auto, we were soon over the 40-knot zone.

Another slight adjustment and we topped 42 knots, wow!

This was Luke’s first time at the helm of this fresh look Victory since it arrived from the factory.

It’s first taste of Indian Ocean salt and it was impressive.

During the high-speed runs we had the digital steering friction mode set to heavy for full control of the stainless-steel steering wheel.

Adjusting it back to light, I was able to move the bow instantly with one finger and the response was immediate.

I thought to myself it would be perfect for coming alongside craypot floats during the annual whites run.

Back at the ramp, the Seafarer Victory 6.2m Hard Top floated back onto the Dunbier Supa-Roller alloy series braked trailer no hassle at all.

Two-thirds up, the winch hook was attached and within seconds the safety chain attached.

It’s a drive-on trailer if you prefer, and if your fishing club allows it.

NUTS & BOLTS

• Model: Seafarer Victory 6.2 Hard Top
• Length: 6m (without bowsprit)
• Beam: 2.4m
• Hull weight: 1100kg
• Deadrise: 21 degrees
• Berths: 2
• People: 7
• Power: Yamaha F200XSA with DES/DEC (max. 225hp)
• Fuel: 200L
• Flotation: Foam under deck
• BMT length: 7.25m
• Manufacturer: Seafarer Boats; Wacol, Queensland.
• Agent: Chivers Marine; 31 Port Kembla Drive, Bibra Lake, 6163. Ph: (08) 9434 1822; www.chiversmarine.com.au
• Pricing: As tested $169,950

PROS & CONS

PROS

• New and improved hull design above water level.
• Stylish hard top for full protection, with two roof vents.
• Substantial starboard side door with drop in ladder.
• Spacious double berth in cabin and large cockpit.
• Twin through-hull 1kW transducers for Simrad GPS combo.
• Economic running teamed up with the Yamaha F200 DES/DEC.
• Viper anchor winch and up market alloy Dunbier Supa-Roller trailer.

CONS

• None really. The Seafarer name is well respected in Australian recreational boating circles, with a proven hull over many decades. This above water upgrade will be well appreciated by dedicated fishers and family boaters. You would be extremely hard to please if you did not like this very versatile new Seafarer Victory 6.2HT.