Year: 2016
LOA: 24′
Beam: 8’6″
Draft: 14″ (engine up)
Deadrise: 10º
Weight: 2,850 lb
Max power: 150 hp
Fuel: 64 gal
www.seawayboats.com
Seaway Boats, a division of Eastern Boats in Milton, N.H., are authentic Downeast workboat designs, with sharp, proud bows and shallow deadrise aft, but they differ from their sister Eastern models in having hard chines. The 24 Center-Console Sport is a big, open skiff that can take a lot of sea, and amazingly, it performs well with as little as 115 horsepower. With that engine, required to meet the $50,000 base price, expect a top speed of 30 knots, with efficient cruise from 13 to 23 knots. Underway, her manners are impeccable as she rises easily onto plane in the low teens. The base boat includes a comfortable helm seat for two with leaning bolsters and space for a cooler beneath. The 29-inch-wide console has a front entry door leading to a head compartment with 52 inches of headroom, adequate even for most adult males. A remote pump-out is available for the portable toilet. In front is a 60-inch-long storage box with a cushion, held in place with a forward turnbuckle. Bottom line: The space fore and aft of the console is broadly adaptable for a variety of missions. A fold-out spray dodger is available to cover this area (optional T-top is $4,995). There’s space under the port gunwales for horizontal rod racks long enough for fly rods. The generous 23-inch pass-through on either side of the console allows for mounting vertical rod racks. Construction is simple but robust, with foam around the composite stringer system beneath the sole. Look at details like the composite backing plates for cleats, fastened with stainless bolts, fender washers and stop-nuts with nylon inserts. The deck cap also is fastened with bolts, washers and stop-nuts. The Seaway 24 Center-Console Sport is a lot of boat for $50,000.
