This Sea Fox Commander is a centre console sport-fisher loaded with maximum power from a pair of Evinrude ETEC G2 300hp outboards, combining serious offshore fishing capabilities with the great handling, manoeuvrability and blistering 50-knot speeds.

Centre console sporters don’t get much better than this wide-beam (but still trailerable) 288 Commander, an exceptionally well-outfitted high-performance powerboat, designed as a serious offshore fishing boat but with a versatile interior layout that lends itself equally to bay and harbour recreational adventures.

No expense has been spared with this vessel, it was equipped with a high-end Simrad electronics package, a range of factory fitted options, and a pair of more powerful Evinrude ETEC G2 300hp extra-long shaft (30in) DFI two-stroke outboard engines, boasting a cracking 51 knots at a wide-open throttle of 5500rpm.

The electronics package included dual Simrad NSS16 EVO2 multi-function displays, OP50 wired remote controller, 4G broadband radar kit, Simrad AC12 Autopilot with WR10 wireless autopilot remote and base station, Simrad RS35 VHF marine radio with HS35 VHF wireless handset with DSC, GS-25 GPS Antenna, and a Simrad Airmar TM275LH-W transom mount transducer. Also added to this elaborate feature set is a Fusion stereo head unit and the Evinrude Icon Touch 7.0in CTS digital engine display, plus an iDock Joystick controller for precision docking and manoeuvring into its Sea Pen.

Factory fitted options included coloured hull sides (Blue Marlin), matching blue paint to the undersides of the Ultima hardtop, bow table, bow infill board with cushion, LED lighting package, overboard waste discharge, white powder coating on Ultima hardtop and leaning post pod, Fusion stereo head unit with 8in kicker speakers, and Taco GS-380 outriggers with 15ft poles (including centre shotgun outrigger). A large custom-built bait board made from polished stainless steel furnished with a large Teflon chopping block which is unused and ready for delivery in brand new condition.

Standard Sea Fox commander features include the massive 228L pressurised, (and oval-shaped) live well with perforated perspex divider and 1100gph pump, dual underfloor kill tanks, fresh and raw water deck wash, recessed trim tabs, electric anchor winch, adaptive bow seating, fold-out rear quarter seats and a state of the art composite hull and deck construction with foam-filled stringers and built-in foam flotation to Australia’s Level Flotation standard,

A feature of the Sea Fox Commander design is that the stern of the Commander, aft of the helm console, is all about serious fishing, with rod holders, racks, kill tanks, live wells and heaps of other fishing orientated gear and equipment, but the bow of the boat is ideally set up for families with spacious moulded U-shaped bench seating with comfy cushions, padded bolsters, ample storage and special pull-out backrests to create two individual forward-facing lounges.

There is more than ample forward seating, coaming bolster padding, electric toilet with holding tank, port side dive door, and built-in bait/rigging station with slide-out cooler/icebox behind the helm chairs.

An extremely versatile design, the vessel can be configured for relaxation or sports adventures, fitting all of the various seating cushions and infill boards in place creates an additional 2.5m-plus-sized sun lounge stretching down the centre of the bow area — with individual side seating for at least half a dozen other passengers.

With the cushions removed, you can use the moulded fibreglass seating as a casting platform with the optional infill board in place.

The anchor well at the bow is large and rigged for the included Muir electric anchor winch.

Special provision has been provided in this 284-litre capacity locker for stowing scuba diving air tanks.

Behind this locker and beneath the helm console itself is a toilet compartment with full standing headroom. A bi-fold door on the port side of the console opens to reveal steps leading down into this deep recess. Within you’ll find an electric head, washbasin with the freshwater faucet, and extra storage shelves - along with easy access to the electrical wiring behind removable hatches.

As the sturdily built aluminium-framed hardtop is standard with the 288 Commander, the Simrad VHF radio is set into a bulkhead under the hardtop, alongside switching for deck lighting — and within easy reach of the skipper and co-pilot.

The two deluxe helm chairs are fixed above a large multi-function storage box. A key fishing feature of the Commander, this cleverly designed unit incorporates a bait/tackle rigging station complete with a flat rigging surface, shelving storage and slide-out plastic tackle trays.

Beneath the rigging station is a 60-litre capacity Yeti brand icebox/cooler for stowing drinks or baits, depending on the purpose of your trip. The cooler sits on an electrically operated slide-out platform.

The stand-out feature of the stern of the 288 Commander is the magnificent live bait/fish well. It is superbly designed with oval-shaped sides to limit damage to the baits and pressurized to help prevent the water (and the baits) in the tank from sloshing about when the boat is underway between fishing spots.

This superb live well has a capacity of 228 litres and is fed by a 1100gph pump to ensure excellent water flow.

Alongside the live bait, the tank is transom corner quarter seats with flip-up backrests and padded vinyl cushions.

Between them, below the live well is an additional retractable padded bench seat, thus enabling three or four people to sit across the stern of the boat. The bench seat is also ideally positioned above the rigging station so you can sit and rig baits/lures in comfort.

There is storage space beneath the rear quarter seats and when folded down you can step on the fibreglass backrests to walk through to the rear boarding platforms and ladder.

Other features include wide side coamings for easy rod holder installation (eight are standard), dual, big mackerel sized underfloor kill tanks, pop-up stern cleats, under-gunnel horizontal rod rack storage, and a lift-out dive door.

With two big engines on the transom, you will want to run the boat at the most economical speed during long runs out to the wide offshore fishing grounds. This maximum fuel economy figure is achieved with the Evinrude’s ticking along at 3000 rpm for a boat speed of 26.8 knots and a combined fuel burn of 53lph. This combination yields a maximum range of 95 pr cent of the 745lt fuel capacity of 357.88 nautical miles or 0.506nm per litre of fuel consumed.

With regard to handling and riding, there is nothing quite like a big deep V-hull with plenty of power on the transom. The Sea Fox slices through swell and wind chop effortlessly, This Sea Fox is a very fast, exhilarating drive, much more than a sports powerboat and bay cruiser. It is a top-shelf offshore sportfishing machine, enhanced by the excellent interior design and layout.