Sea Chaser 24 HFC (2017-)

Brief Summary

The Sea Chaser 24 HFC powered by an Evinrude 250-hp E-TEC G2 delivered strong performance in our test runs, topping out at 52.8 mph and getting on plane in 3.2 seconds. The V6 got 4.2 mpg at 31.7 mph for a range of 380 SM. Like many in class, the Sea Chaser is designated as a multi-mission center console.

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	23' 9" / 7.24 m
Beam	101" 2.57 m
Dry Weight	3,165 lbs. 1,436 kg
Tested Weight	4,035 lbs. 1,830 kg
Draft	N/A
Deadrise/Transom	N/A
Max Headroom	Open
Bridge Clearance	N/A
Weight Capacity	3,000 lbs. 1,361 kg
Person Capacity	12
Fuel Capacity	100 gal. 379 L
Water Capacity	N/A
Total Weight	4,035 lbs. 1,830 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	3.3 sec.
0 to 30	9.5 sec.
Ratio	N/A
Props	15 1/8x20 Rebel
Load	2 persons, 3/4 fuel, no water, 50 lbs. of gear
Climate	79 deg., 64 humid.; wind: 5-10 mph; seas: 1

Engine Options

Tested Engine	1 x 250-hp Evinrude E-TEC G2
Std. Power	Not Available
Opt. Power	Not Available

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Sea Chasesr 24 Model page CR:

Don’t let the look of a fishing boat fool you, this Sea Chaser is set up for family fun too.

 

Overview

The Sea Chaser 24 model designation HFC (Hybrid Fish & Cruise) pretty much sums it up; this boat was designed from the start to appeal to the entire family. The respectable list of standard features would be considered options on some other craft. Even though she performs well with a single outboard and she comes with a price tag that we would characterize as “affordable,” the size and displacement of this hull is more at home offshore than attempting to navigate skinny water.

The hull sliced through the light chop of the bay without a hint of impact or spray.The high sheer and pronounced bow flare give the boat the feel of a serious offshore fishing machine.

Major Features

• • Quick Lift stepped hull

 

• • 208-quart/52-gallon U-shaped bow compartment

 

• • Leaning post with backrest and fold-down foot rest

 

• • Rear bench seat with insulated cooler/storage

 

• • LED lighting under gunnel and in cup holders

 

• • Easy access bilge compartment hatch

 

• • Side door in the port gunwale

 

• • In-deck insulated fish box

 

• • LED blue water lights

Family Comfort Features

Standard features include comfortable U-shaped bow seating with forward-facing backrest. The seat on the face of the center console folds out of the way when not in use. Additional bench seating is available in the stern, which may be the best place to sit when conditions get rough. A bi-fold side console door leads to a marine head with standard Porta-Potti.

Removable bow cushions form a U-shaped settee and double as lounges with the added backrest.Storage compartments, below the bow seating, are insulated and have 52 gallons of volume.Side coaming pads act as backrest. Cup holders and built-in handrails round out this conversation pit.Adding to the bow seating is a seat attached to the face of the center console.When not in use, the console seat can be folded out of the way to provide more cockpit space.The optional head in the center console has a 9-gallon holding tank and flushes electrically.

Fishing Setup

The tournament pro and weekend warrior alike will appreciate the way this boat is set up for blue water angling. There are rocket-launcher-style rod holders on the aft portion of the optional T-top and under the gunnel stowage for six rods. Eight top-gunnel-mounted rod holders are positioned for trolling and drift fishing. Twin livewells -- one built into the port quarter (25 gallons) and the other 25-gallon bait well is built into the leaner seat -- should provide plenty of live bait capacity for fishing all day. Both bait wells are aerated.

The helm seat has a fiberglass base with built-in livewell, sink, and storageAn oval livewell behind the helm seat has a center stand pipe and clear lid.To the right of the helm seat livewell is a prep sink with a fold-down faucet and cutting board lid.An oval stern 25-gallon livewell is built into the port corner of the transom bulkhead.Three under-gunnel horizontal rod holders flank each side of the center console.Eight top-mounted rod holders, four on each side, are laid out for trolling as well as bottom fishing.Back at the bow, a triangular-shaped hatch in the deck leads to an insulated storage area that can be used as a 32-gallon fish box with a molded-in recess to hold a bucket in place.

The Center Console

The helm is positioned to the port side on the center console, which allows for two people to easily seek shelter behind the acrylic windshield, which is detachable. The switch panel uses rocker actuators labeled with icons and backlit with LED lights.

The flat portion of the dash is oversized to accept a pair of large MFD monitors. The top of the console could use a fiddle to keep items from sliding off while underway.The aft face of the center console has a built-in storage compartment and molded footrest.An additional footrest is attached to the front of the helm seat. The padded seat is wide enough for a captain and passenger, plus the seat back can fold forward.

The T-Top

The standard powder-coated T-top legs support a molded fiberglass hardtop that incorporates storage, LED lighting, and stereo speakers. The underside of the hardtop is color-matched to the hull sides. We recommend getting the powder-coating option on the T-top supports, as oxidizing aluminum is hard to keep looking good.

A series of built-in LED lights face down to illuminate the helm area. The forward-facing strip would be a great help while docking at night. Four speakers ensure all passengers can hear the tunes.Even though many people refer to this molded-in fiberglass box as an electronics box, it’s better used for storing gear within easy reach of the helm.

Stern Seats and Cockpit

The 24 HFC has a large open cockpit with a molded-in 15-gallon storage box across the transom bulkhead. Dual stainless steel drains at each corner of the cockpit are self-bailing.

The stern seat cushions form a bench seat across the beam of the boat. They, along with the backrest, are removable for storage out of the weather or on days when the boat will be fished hard.With the cushions removed, there’s enough room to stand on the transom bench to use it almost as a small casting deck.The starboard hatch, on the transom bench, opens to an insulated box that can be used for fish or drinks. The center L-shaped hatch provides access to engine batteries, along with other operating systems of the boat.Large cockpit drains ensure that rainwater in the cockpit can quickly be evacuated.

Side Door in Port Gunwale

For easy access on and off of the boat, there’s a built-in side entry door and telescoping swim ladder. This is an important standard feature, one usually offered only as an option by a few builders. It facilitates all sorts of activities, including scuba diving, landing fish, and just stepping aboard from a floating dock.

A side door built into the port cockpit has several functions. Water access is the most obvious, but because it swings into the cockpit, getting in and out of the boat at the dock is much easier as well.On the starboard transom is a four-step, telescoping ladder. Not only is it useful when enjoying watersports, it’s also a safety factor in the event someone should fall overboard. It can be deployed from the water, as required by ABYC standards.

Anchor Locker

A hatch at the bow leads to an anchor compartment that can accept a windlass. There is also a hidden bow cleat for anchoring. Even if the optional windlass is fitted, it should never be used as a cleat for the anchor rode -- that function belongs to a dedicated cleat.

With the anchor hatch closed, the anchor is stowed on the aluminum roller.Open the fiberglass anchor hatch to see where an optional V700 windlass can be installed, with enough room for 10 feet of chain and 100 feet of ½”, 3-strand rode.

Power

The max horsepower rating for the transom is 300. Our test boat was powered with a 250 Evinrude E-TEC G2, 25-inch shaft outboard, which has a gear ratio of 1.85:1 and was propped with a 15 1/8” diameter by 20” pitch Rebel, 3-blade stainless steel propeller. This setup provided exhilarating performance.

Additional Performance Numbers

Top Speed. Our test boat had an estimated test weight of 4,035 lbs. (1,830 kg). We hit a top speed of 52.8 mph (45.9 knots) at 5500 rpm.

Best cruise was 31.7 mph (27.5 knots) with a fuel burn of 4.2 mpg. The boat jumped up on plane in a little over 3 seconds and hit 20 mph (17.4 knots) in 5.3 seconds and reached 30 mph (26.1 knots) in 9.5 seconds.

The height of the center console allows an average-sized person to see the bow while standing and still see over it when seated.

Ride and Handling

Although we did not have the opportunity to run the boat offshore, the chop in the bay was a good indication that this hull can handle serious offshore duty. The hull design incorporates a high performance step in its running surface. This lessens the wetted surface at planning speeds and increases performance plus improves fuel efficiency.

Price

$43,110.00 Boat only

Available Options

• • Electric flushable head with 9-gallon holding tank

 

• • 9-gallon freshwater tank with shower nozzle

 

• • Electric trim tabs with indicator panel

 

• • Ski tow bar

 

• • Forward bow table

 

• • Telescoping outriggers

 

• • V700 windlass with chain and rode

 

• • Powder Coat T-top & leaner

 

• • Deluxe upholstery

Observations

This boat’s design takes aim squarely at the family who enjoys all types of water sports. Not just fishing and diving, but towing a tube or just cruising the waterways. The size of the hull and the height of the freeboard are well suited for offshore fishing, as long as the operator doesn’t become complacent about the weather.

Its capacity and abundant seating should accommodate most families with room enough to include a few friends. The boat has a USCG capacity rating of 12 persons.

The number of standard features on this boat should cut down the decision-making process regarding options to a minimum.