Sea Born center-console, bay and offshore boats 21 to 28 feet long are manufactured in a 90,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art production facility in Blackshear, Georgia.

The 27-year-old company says buyers of its boats spend as much time cruising and sandbar hopping as fishing, and so it makes sure those boats serve multiple roles—and offer plenty of value.

It also makes a point of making boat shopping simple by packaging models and options in familiar, carlike offerings to reduce confusion and make comparisons more meaningful for shoppers.

Sea Born LX26 CC

At the helm of the LX26 Center Console, introduced in spring 2020 and Sea Born’s newest and largest CC, captain and companion enjoy a two-position leaning post that converts into a captain’s-style chair with backrest.

The console features a distinctive black-glass dashboard with Simrad touchscreen display and stereo. Overhead is a standard hardtop with a massive wired electronics box, lights and outrigger brackets.

The beamy bow nestles U-shaped seating demanded by 40 percent of respondents looking for a center-console. Removable backrests aim passengers forward comfortably, and stow for an open fishing deck.

A divided SeaFreeze super-insulated cooler is housed beneath the cushioned lounge at cockpit front (or it can be plumbed as a third livewell).

In the cockpit is a portside dive/tuna side door, while a transom door accesses a swim platform and ladder. Grab rails throughout boost safety and comfort.

Four rod holders mounted in the gunwales and five more in the transom exceed the eight that satisfy 85 percent of offshore CC survey respondents. Eight rocket launchers line the hardtop, with four more at the leaning post, and there’s undergunwale storage for six rods. Aft, a rounded 20-gallon baitwell is topped by a clear plexiglass lid; a compartment beneath the aft bench can be plumbed to become another, to please the 27 percent of respondents who say they need a second livewell.

XSF Sport Fishing and XLT Luxury touring packages bundle options; individual options include electronics, display and seating upgrades, as well as autopilot, joystick, toilet with tank, light bars and Grand Slam outriggers.

Survey Says: On Target

• Standard rod holders, racks and storage are abundant
• Versatile bow seating and casting platform

Owners Say

• Great storage space

Brand Says

• Modern style and best-in-class value
• Already a classic in looks and durability

Reader Response

• “The layout and fishability are excellent”

Specs

LOA: 26′6″

Beam: 9′10″

Fuel Capacity: 135 gal.

Dry Weight: 5,500 lb. plus power

Max HP: 500

Certifications: ABYC

More Info

seabornboats.com

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The LX26 LXT is a brand-new boat from Sea Born. Equipped with dual 250-horsepower Suzuki outboard engines, a Simrad display system at the helm, and plenty of rodholders, live wells and comfortable seating, this boat has great performance as well as fishability and family fun.

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For nearly a quarter-century, Composite Research Inc. has built thousands of boats ­under its Sea Born, Sundance and Spyder brands.

Sea Born, launched as a line of full-featured bay boats in 2008, introduced its first center console last year, another pair this year (one below), and even boasts an offshore boat. Most ride on single- or double-stepped hulls for better performance and fuel economy. Powder-coated outboard setback brackets add both ­performance and cockpit space.

The company prides itself on making high-quality, versatile and affordable boats — skiffs, flats boats, center consoles and bay boats — for both family recreation and fishing. From its plant in Blackshear, Georgia, it sends boats off to waters throughout the Southeast, Northeast, Gulf states and central Texas.

All three brands feature biaxial glass and nonlinear PVC foam cores for long life, light weight and great performance. Pressure and load points gain strength, with little added weight, from aluminum plates.

In boats 20 feet and less, your Composite Research boat features foam injected into steel stringer molds; the foam expands, ­creating extreme pressure to reach maximum density in a grid glassed in to create a rigid hull. Bigger boats have a foam-injected ­fiberglass stringer. All hulls carry a ­10-year transferable warranty.

SEA BORN LX24 CC

Sea Born is launching a pair of new LX series center console boats, and this is the bigger of them, designed for big fun for anglers and families.

Like the also-new LX22 CC, the LX24 CC sports higher freeboard than Sea Born’s bay boats, creating a family-friendly feeling of security and offering a bit more dry protection from higher seas. That’s good because this boat is built (of all composite materials — no wood) for both inshore and offshore boating.

Families will love the LX24 CC’s bow forward-facing seats with stowable backs, below-deck storage, plush aft bench, in-console head, nonskid decks and spacious layout. The walk-through transom door, swim platform and ladder argue for a dip.

Anglers will use the cockpit’s ­spacious layout to tend to rods — rod holders are distributed throughout the boat, including on the leaning post — and battle fish. Their efforts will be assisted by an aerated aft baitwell with clear-view lid, foam-insulated fish box aft and another beneath the console’s front seat, and LED-lighted baitwell.

Three upgrade packages — Tournament, SE and LE — are available, combining with the standard features such handy additions like Simrad electronics, T-top or hardtop, LED spreader lights, freshwater washdown, additional rod holders, and more.

More Info: seabornboats.com

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Quality components and all composite materials are used in each model. Foam is injected into steel stringer molds under extreme pressure, assuring optimum density. A final inspection of each component eliminates voids that might cause durability or longevity issues. All models feature a 10-year transferable warranty.

Two-tone gelcoats, stainless-steel rub rails and specially selected hardware assure long-lasting beauty in these vessels. Upgrades to helms, leaning posts and other features let boaters personalize their fishing machines.

Three series of boats are available to meet varying fishing applications. Sundance was established in 1994 as a series of skiffs with deep freeboard and either center-console or tiller steering. Spyder flats boats were launched in 2008. In between, in 2004, Composite Research launched its Sea Born series of more fully featured bay boats — and added the new SX239 offshore boat featured here.

Sea Born SX239

Composite Research, inspired by the success of its FX25 Tournament Bay, added a modern offshore cockpit and many other new features, including a two-step hull, to create the Sea Born SX239, first in a new series.

The SX239 fishes big; the bracketed engine is set back away from the tumblehome transom, adding practical cockpit room while enhancing performance. The hull is Jeff Seyler-designed, double-stepped for less drag and more efficient cruising.

Two interior layouts are available. The fishing-focused SX239 Open, as its name suggests, is open from bow to stern with a large coffin box ahead of the console. The -family-friendly SX239 has a double front seat ahead of the console and a forward U-lounge with forward-facing backrests. Both models have dual 120-quart in-sole fish boxes and a 62-quart livewell with high-speed pickup. There’s more than 5 feet, 9 inches of headroom in the walk-in console, with room for a head. A transom door leads to a large swim platform. Diamond yacht-style nonskid flooring makes moving through the boat easy and secure. Sport and LE packages are available, too.

MORE INFO:****** **seabornboats.com

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For starters, this is one of the biggest 22s out there, with tons of storage and fishing room. The large bow casting deck features the Sea Freeze divided icebox with extra insulation on the centerline. Another sizable storage compartment is located forward, and there are two companion boxes outboard to rack rods or other gear. The bow holds a dedicated anchor locker pre-wired for trolling motors. And for easy cleaning, all hatches on the FX22 are fully finished on both sides.

You’ll find a 32-quart baitwell under the forward console seat, a 35-quart well with clear Plexiglas lid on the aft center casting deck and an 80-quart fish box to port. All are foam insulated and equipped with 1,000 gph pumps with seacocks, stainless through-hulls and high-speed pickups. The baitwells are ­finished in blue and rigged with blue LED lights. Additional rod storage ­includes six holders in the center console, four more in the leaning post, plus horizontal rod racks under the gunwales.

The aft deck includes two ­folding jump seats for passengers. The standard leaning post has a storage bin beneath the cushion, an integrated footrest and a cooler. On the console, you’ll find backlit-LED rocker switches and push‑button circuit breakers, a 12-volt power port, and a stainless-steel steering wheel with knob augmented by standard hydraulic steering. A convenient glove box offers quick access to cellphones and other necessities, while the roomy electronics panel accommodates a large display. For those ­with low clearance considerations, the console windshield and handrail drop with a few quick ­adjustments. Premium upholstery with two-tone patterns adds a stylish look.

In addition to the aforementioned standard ­features, the optional LE package includes a raw-­water washdown, console tackle center, cockpit coaming bolsters, marine stereo, tilt steering and a T-top with electronics box. All FX22 models come standard with a 10-year transferable hull warranty, all-composite construction, self-bailing cockpit and an advanced fiberglass stringer system. ­Quality ­components are evident throughout, and the fit and finish is right in line with Sea Born’s noteworthy attention to detail.

As on its larger sibling, the hull of the FX22 features twin steps for enhanced ­performance and fuel economy. The test model was powered by the new 2.8 ­liter Yamaha F200XB, which proved an ideal match. With a weight of just 489 pounds and an impressive hole shot, this power plant produced a top speed of nearly 50 mph at 5,800 rpm. During Yamaha’s factory performance tests, the 22 sipped only 5.4 gph at its 3,500 rpm sweet spot, producing a range of 4.83 mpg at 26.1 mph. With a 52-gallon fuel ­capacity, that works out to an ­awful lot of fishing time.

Yamaha four-strokes are not the only power choice: The FX22 can also be ordered with Suzuki or Mercury four-stroke packages ­ranging from 150 up to 250 hp or Mercury ­two-stroke Optimax engines up to 250 hp. Bob’s jack plates, ­Power-Pole anchor systems and trim tabs are ­available performance options.

I wanted to see how the twin-stepped hull performed during sudden maneuvers, and it didn’t disappoint. Try as I might, I couldn’t get the stern to break loose, even in quick, hard turns. As noted, initial acceleration was fluid, and the bow settled nicely for unobstructed sight lines. Even with the motor trimmed way up, handling was very similar to expensive sports cars I’ve driven — deft, sure and exhilarating. The boat cut through the chop like a finely honed fillet knife. It was also very stable at rest, despite a deadrise of 17 degrees at the transom. I walked up and down the gunwales without noticing the slightest roll. This is truly a fun one to drive and, I expect, even more fun to fish.

If you’re looking for a hard-core fishing machine that’s equally adept at nearshore trolling or drifting the inshore flats, be sure to take a good look at the FX22. And if you also need a boat that’ll double for family outings at the beach without breaking the bank, definitely put this one on the shortlist.

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Bay boats are evolving. Once used primarily with a trolling motor to fish shallower depths and cross open ­waterways, the latest generation is clearly multipurpose. From nearshore patch reefs, rigs and wrecks to working weed lines or drifting for swordfish in the Gulf Stream, anglers and builders alike are breaking the style’s traditional mold. Sea Born’s FX25 epitomizes the latest trend.

“Boat use has changed a lot in the past few years,” says Wally Bell, president of Sea Born Boats, based in ­Blackshear, Georgia. “We’re now seeing multigenerations buying a boat and sharing it. They want something affordable and easy to handle. On Saturday they might run out the inlet to troll for king mackerel before coming back in to fish live shrimp for trout when the tide turns. The next day the whole family loads up and goes to the beach for a picnic. We took all these factors into account when designing this model.”

With a modest bow flare, ­single-step hull and integrated engine bracket, the FX25 offers a sleek, clean profile, and is capable of deepwater ­performance. The wide beam and 22-inch cockpit freeboard ensures stability. Our test boat was rigged with a 300 hp Mercury Verado four-stroke mounted on an Atlas hydraulic jack plate. The boat accelerated quickly with very little bow rise, e­nsuring good operating visibility. Handling was smooth and r­esponsive, thanks to the Verado power steering. With the optional ­fiberglass hardtop and trolling-motor package (three Interstate batteries, charger and Minn Kota 101 iPilot), we registered a real-world speed of almost 51 mph. In factory tests with the 300 Verado, the FX25 hit 57.2 mph wide open while with the Mercury ­Verado ProXS 250, the wide-open-throttle speed was 56.4 mph while burning 28 gallons per hour.

Besides solid performance, the FX25 can be totally tricked out for multispecies fishing scenarios. Our test boat came with the optional Bravo layout, which includes a 66-gallon bow release well with LED lights and a thick acrylic hatch cover, insulated transom fish box with cutting board, and a fiberglass leaning post with 50-gallon recirculating livewell with an acrylic viewing panel. All wells are finished in light blue to keep the baits calm. Another 100-quart box in the forward console seat doubles as a drink cooler. An insulated center well in the bow transition step adds still more capacity, while an aft sea chest ensures a steady supply of water.

The outboard compartments in the transition step double as lockable rod-storage boxes, with room for four outfits per side. When you factor in the vertical console holders, the hardtop rocket launcher and the ­matching gunwale rod racks (which will hold 10-foot fly rods), there’s room for more than two dozen rods. Other ­angler-friendly features include a hidden compartment with four large Plano storage boxes behind the forward console backrest and a molded cast-net well in the forward sole. A raw-water washdown is standard, while fresh water can be added as a option. A cockpit toe rail and thick coaming bolsters provide comfort during lengthy battles. Inshore enthusiasts might consider adding an 8-foot PowerPole with remote.

There’s no shortage of creature comforts either. Both the operator and companion will enjoy the ride at the ­console leaning post, and a bow coaming and cushion package is available for those lazy summer days with the ­family. The optional rugged folding transom bench seat stows easily, yet can be quickly removed to gain access to pumps and the bilge. For night fishing or dinner at a waterfront restaurant, LED deck lights add illumination. Extra gear will stow with room to spare in the large bow compartment, while the massive anchor locker can hold a Danforth anchor, rode and dock lines to match any anchoring challenge.

The just-the-right-size console offers plenty of room for the largest displays without being an obstacle. Garmin electronics packages can be factory installed. A convenient glove box with an iPod jack and quick access to the trim tabs, gauges, and electrical switches make operating this boat easy.

Like its predecessors, the FX25 is solidly built with ­hand-laid biaxial fiberglass. The hull sides are cored to reduce weight without sacrificing strength. All hatches are compression molded with a smooth interior finish, and quality ­components are used throughout, such as bronze seacocks, cast stainless-steel hardware and resettable circuit breakers. Wiring harnesses and plumbing are neatly organized and labeled, always a sure sign of attention to detail. Our test boat was smartly finished in black gelcoat with matching hardtop, with several other hull colors and combinations also available.

If you’re unfamiliar with Sea Born, get ready to be ­pleasantly surprised by the brand’s quality, value and ­overall fishability. And if you also happen to be shopping for a ­multifaceted fishing machine, give the FX25 a long look. After all, it’s much more than just a bay boat.

SPECIFICATIONS
LOA: 24’11”
Beam: 8’8″
Draft: 11″
Transom deadrise: 17 degrees
Fuel: 75 gal.
Weight: 2,600 lb.
Max hp: 300
Base price: $66,107 with hardtop and 300 hp Mercury Verado

Sea Born Boats: 912-449-0033 • seabornboats.com

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