Living in Hervey Bay, I spend a lot of my time fishing and boating around Fraser Island and throughout the Great Sandy Strait. When I first laid my eyes on the new Sea Jay 630 Vision centre console fitted with folding T-top. The words ‘Sandy Cape, Fraser Island, Fishing Trip’, screamed in my mind.
One Tough Boat
This is one tough boat, built with 5mm bottoms, 3mm sides, a beam of 2.48m and weighing in at approx. 960kg (hull only). The 3mm checker plate wash down alloy floor with sump box, wide side decks and large centre console simply oozes strength. Before jumping on board. I already had images in my mind of locked up reels, heavy duty rods buckled over and monsters of the deep being pulled over the sides.
The bow section sports a deep anchor well with mounting plate to suit a Stress-Free Anchor. The raised front casting deck can easily accommodate a couple of good sized anglers casting lures. There is a huge single front hatch leading to a lower carpeted floor under the casting deck.
Look At The Console
As you make your way around the massive centre console. There are extra long side pockets to store your gaff, net, fenders and anything else you might need. The centre piece however, is the console which provides a simple, spacious and highly effective layout. I think the pictures speak for themselves. There is loads of space for your electronics, a screen and shelf. Seating was extra comfy with two deluxe flip up seats. Giving you the option to stand or sit while boating along. These are mounted over a large open box with enough room to store an esky underneath.
Accessing cables, replacing fuses and the like can be achieved by getting down near the footrest and working under the sports steering wheel. This brings me to the one drawback that I noticed with the Sea Jay 630 Vision centre console. You simply can not have everything in a boat. If you want more console room etc, you need to take space from somewhere else. In the case of the 630 Vision the sacrifice is deck space for rolling out a swag.
Is This A Issue?
Now this might not be an issue for some people. Whom, prefer to pull up on a sandy beach somewhere, roll out the swag and spend the night on terra firma. As opposed to the gentle movement of a boats hull, as the tide ebbs and flows. There is certainly loads of room in the 630 Vision for a couple of rolled up swags to be stored. While you boat to your favourite camping location. But just be aware, if your planning on wrestling monster fish all day and then laying down on the deck for a nanna nap. You will find it hard to stretch out and be comfortable.
There are literally loads and loads of standard hull inclusions for the Sea Jay 630 Vision which I have glossed over. Your best bet is to visit the Sea Jay website – www.seajayboats.com.au and gather all of the detail you require.
Booking.comThe Transom
Suffice to say, once you reach the 25” filled in transom of the 630 Vision you are greeted with a simple but effective layout. Tackle tray storage, large access door to the electronics and dual batteries. Plumbed live bait tank, dive door, bait board with 6 x alloy rod holders. And, finally a non-skid transom boarding platform.
The Sea Jay 630 Vision carries 210 litres of underfloor fuel and is rated to a maximum 200 hp or 240 kg transom weight. A 150 hp is recommended and that is exactly what we had fitted on testing day. The Yamaha F150 16-Valve DOHC, In-line 4 was more than capable of powering the 630 Vision through some messy conditions.
Performance
The weather was not the best on testing day. But, what I was not prepared for, was just how much protection the large centre console of the 630 Vision provided. Coupled with the effectiveness of the reverse chines on the Samurai hull.
I would be lying if I wrote that we did not cop a little sea spray, but that is life in any open boat. Especially when you have a good amount of swell and wave action. With lots of strong wind picking up the spray and pushing it across the boat as you deliberately put a boat through its paces.
I have no doubt though, having put the 630 Vision through it paces in these conditions that on any better day, weather wise. The Samurai Hull of the 630 Vision will provide a very smooth and relatively dry ride.
That Samurai Hull
As we completed several turns and figure eights. I was waiting for that bone jarring crunch that we all expect in an alloy boat. The Samurai Hull instead, sliced through the swell. Cushioned the boat and the reverse chines pushed most of sea spray away from our expensive camera gear. I was left convinced that this boat is more than capable of handling a Sandy Cape, Fraser Island and beyond fishing trip.
Final Thoughts
My final thoughts on the Sea Jay 630 Vision centre console. Sea Jay have produced another strong, reliable and no-nonsense fishing platform. The checker plate floor screams ‘rough and tumble’. And, along with the highly effective layout of the 630 Vision I believe ‘rough and tumble’. Is what this boat is designed for.
Just picture, in your mind, a group of lads heading away for an epic weekend fishing trip in a machine designed to take a beating. And, that is what you get with the 630 Vision. Then the following weekend you and your family head over some challenging water to a secluded beach. To let the kids run around for hour upon hour.
I really do think Sea Jay are onto a winner with the 630 Vision and if you are in the market for a new fishing platform you would be mad not to cast your eye over this strong and versatile boat.
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