If you enjoy heading out onto the water to set a few crab pots. Maybe throwing the cast net for a feed of prawns. And, you absolutely hate having to clean the mud and other debris out of your boats carpeted floor. Then you will love what Sea Jay have added into their Velocity boat range.
Introducing the Sea Jay 550 Velocity Sports Tuff Deck. This boat is available in two sizes, 520 and 550. Both sizes contain all the features which can be found in Sea Jay’s standard Velocity series of boats. But, instead of lush carpeted flooring the tuff deck range offer full checker plate flooring. Providing you with a no-nonsense deck, easy to wash down. So that you can be rid of sand and mud in no time at all.
Some Background
Sea Jay’s velocity range of boats all feature Sea Jay’s Samurai Hull design. They also feature an eye catching raised sheer line. Which, together with a reverse chine. Offer as much protection from spray and as smooth a ride as you can get in an aluminium open boat of this size. Made with 3mm sides and 4mm 5083 plate on the bottom. The 550 Velocity has a beam of 2.45m and an overall length of 5.6m. It features a maximum outboard rating of 150hp or 230kg transom weight. And, has enough room for 6 people and weighs in at approx. 670kg.
There are a lot of standard inclusions in the Sea Jay 550 Velocity Sports, you can find all of them listed on the Sea Jay website – http://www.seajayboats.com.au
Storage
Suffice to say, Sea Jay have produced a boat which maximises storage space. Is incredibly functional and yet simple in its design. The Tuff Deck addition to the Velocity models of boats, I believe builds upon this functional and simple design. Offering those of us who want a tough reliable boat that can handle being knocked around, both inside and out as you navigate skinny creeks. Constantly setting and pulling up crab pots and spilling the contents of your cast net onto the deck. While at the same time is still perfectly capable of being used out in the bay. Or for taking the family out for the day to explore your secret, hidden, white sandy beach.
Other Features
Apart from the full checker plate floor. There are a couple of other features which top off the 550 Velocity Sports nicely. A heavy duty boarding ladder makes getting on and off very easy. The transom also features a small dive door. This may not sound like much, but trust me. When you are in charge of carrying heavy items to and from the boat so that the family can enjoy time on a remote beach. Or, if you are simply wanting to climb in and out of your boat while parked at home or in the rigging area prior to launching. This heavy duty boarding ladder will make life a lot easier.
Functional
If you are like me and prefer a non-cluttered deck. Then you will appreciate the underdeck storage space and long side pockets of the 550 Velocity Sports. There is ample room to store an esky, all your tackle bags and other bits and pieces out of the way. Providing you will a clutter free deck to prepare and set your crab pots or to swing your cast net.
Other Options
When you read the word ‘Sports’ on the Sea Jay website, that is code for side console. The 550 Velocity Tuff Deck also comes in a centre console design. I must admit I do prefer the side console (sports) layout. As it provides a huge amount of deck space to move around. And, for those of us who like to venture out during night time hours. There is plenty of room to roll out a swag for a little shut eye.
Rated to a maximum of 150hp, on testing day we had a Yamaha F130 16-Valve DOHC, In-Line 4 fitted. The sweet spot for fuel consumption was recorded at 3500rpm. Which saw the 550 Velocity Sports TD moving at 37km per hour and burning 1 litre for each 2.96 kilometres covered. With a huge 175 litre underfloor fuel tank. You can be assured of covering some serious distances between trips to the bowser.
On Water
On testing day, we had a light boat. Stripped back to the bare essentials with 3 adult males on board. The Burnett Heads area was still feeling the effects of Tropical Cyclone Linda. After testing a couple of Sea Jay’s larger new release boats. Namely, the 670 Trojan HT and the 630 Vision CC outside in the rolling and messy swell. We decided to keep the smaller boats inside the Burnett River.
Needless to say, this is exactly where this boat is at home. Sure, it is big enough to head out into some swell. Or cross from Moon Point on Fraser Island back to the Urangan harbour in less than ideal conditions. But in all honesty. I think the people who are going to be looking at the 550 Velocity Sports Tuff Deck. Will be spending most of their time running around in the rivers and creeks. Setting crab pots and getting into areas which the majority of boat owners wont venture. For fear of damaging the paint work on their boat.
Performance
It is sometimes hard to describe or compare the performance of smaller open boats against one another. There are some exceptions. Some open boats you never want to ride in again. Due to a fear of it capsizing or due to a rough ride. But, I can assure you the 550 Velocity Sports Tuff Deck is not one of these.
Cornering, figure eights both at high speed and slow were all very smooth. Pushing into the swell which was making its way into the river entrance saw the boat ride extremely well. The responsiveness of the steering and throttle to minor adjustments was excellent.
My Final Thoughts
My final thoughts on the new Sea Jay 550 Velocity Sports Tuff Deck. I think Sea Jay are catering to a specific audience with the full checker plate floor. Many fishers that I speak to at various boat ramps express the need for a no-nonsense boat. Something with plenty of room, which is strong and reliable. Something which you can just use, hose off and be done. I reckon Sea Jay have hit the nail on the head. I suspect we will see quite a few 550 Velocity Sports Tuff Decks getting around. With crab pots on deck and cast nets at the ready.
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