SEAFARER VAGABOND 6.6HT BOAT REVIEW

The first Seafarer boats were made by Doug Fry in Victoria in 1957, and quickly became a popular brand within the Australian boating industry. His son, Lindsay, took over the operation when Doug ultimately bowed out, pushing the brand to iconic status and ensuring the company’s future in an ever-expanding market. Then in 2007 the Haines Group, based in Queensland, acquired Seafarer, and the rest, so the saying goes, is history.

Seafarer boats now come in six sizes and nine different models, ranging from 5.0-6.6m. They are primarily fishing boats, and particularly the 6.6m Vagabond HT we took for a test ride back in mid February. The Vagabond has been particularly popular with serious blue water anglers for as long as I can recall, and still enjoys excellent national sales. I fished Montagu Island in NSW from a Vagabond late in the last millennium (!), and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

The Vagabond 6.6 we tested recently was the first hard top Seafarer I’d ever been in, and it was easy to appreciate how far this model has come in its impressive history. The classic Seafarer lines are still there, but the boat now fits nicely into the current marketplace, bristling with up-to-date accessories and looking as sleek as anything currently available in its class.

As a rig designed specifically for blue water fishing, the Vagabond Hard Top comes with all manner of standard features that will put a smile on any serious fisho’s face. Dual live bait tanks are positioned in the transom, a removable door is included on the starboard side for landing big fish, full sub-deck foam flotation ensures maximum offshore security, and a 2000GPH auto bilge pump is installed. On the electronics side, the Vagabond comes standard with Simrad GPD/ sounder unit and VHF radio, both of which are top shelf equipment. A decent sized underfloor fuel tank is provided, and there’s not a single splinter of timber in the whole boat.

The test boat from Pacific Marine was powered by a 250hp Mercury Verado V8, which proved to be close to the perfect choice. Interestingly, Seafarer also offers the Vagabond with a transom designed to carry twin motors – an option that may appeal to some blue water anglers who crave the security only dual installations can provide. Maximum transom weight for the twin engine version is 418kg, which translates to a couple of Merc 130s. Maximum weight for the single engine transom option is 295kg, and the 250 Verado on the test boat fits comfortably under that figure.

It’s no surprise to learn that the Vagabond hull weighs close to 1.5 tonnes dry. All Seafarers are built on the heavy side, and you’d be looking at a substantial tow vehicle for this model – either a decent SUV or larger capacity 4x4 wagon.

Immediately obvious as you climb about the Vagabond 6.6 is the quality of everything around you. The hard top is about as good as you’ll find on any Aussie-built trailer boat (and most overseas-built models as well), providing ample head room and excellent all-round vision from the helm. The top carries dual roof hatches for light and ventilation, which is important on warm days offshore. There is no doubt a well-designed hard top offers the ultimate in comfort and protection when you’re heading onto the blue water chasing tuna in winter time, or when the summer sun is belting down on a stinking hot summer’s day.

An overhead console accommodates marine radio and a bank of toggle switches, while the helm station will comfortably handle dual display units, more switches and trim tab controls (if fitted). Access to the cabin is via a cut-away entrance on the port side, and there’s a lockable glove compartment and sturdy grab rail for the passenger. It’s all simple, neat and functional up front, which is exactly how things should be in a big trailer boat.

Up in the bow you’ll find a locker easily big enough to accommodate a drum-style electric anchor winch, and sturdy bow rail for the times you may need to access this part of the boat. All rail work and general hardware are top quality, as you’d expect in a rig of this pedigree.

In the cabin are dual V-berths that will accommodate users of average height. There’s space for a chemical toilet, too – something the ladies will greatly appreciate. Cockpit seating is extremely comfortable, with provision beneath the passenger’s chair for a generous-sized icebox. Broad cockpit side pockets are included to handle longer items like gaffs and landing nets, and a half-width, drop-down aft lounge offers extra cockpit seating if required.

Previous Seafarer Vagabonds I’ve ridden in over the years were powered by 200hp engines, and I was keen to see what the big Merc 250 V8 could offer – both in terms of acceleration and top end. It’s a giant of an engine, and one that comes with a giant reputation to match!

As I’d anticipated, the Vagabond fairly leapt onto the plane when I hit the Verado throttle. It’s a hell of an engine that suits the heavy Seafarer perfectly, rocketing the deep vee hull towards top revs in the blink of an eye. Conditions for the test run were pretty friendly, with just a bit of chop offshore under the influence of a 15 knot nor’-easter, enabling me to push hard in virtually any direction. Top speed was a genuine 85kph (46 knots) at 5900rpm – exhilarating for sure, but not exactly in the optimum fuel economy zone! We cruised very comfortably and economically at 3600rpm and 26 knots, which is about where you’d want to run the Vagabond on a normal fishing day.

The 21-degree hull turns like it’s on rails at speed, providing predictable handling all the way through the rev range. Getting offshore and back again on a lessthan-friendly day would be a snack in this boat, making it an extremely attractive option for our growing armada of tuna chasers.