A portside boarding door in a 30-footer isn’t unheard of, but it’s unusual and just one of the many standard features Sea Chaser designed for its new 30 HFC Bluewater. In fact, the boat’s impressive list of standard features is even more so when coupled with the company’s reputation for value-priced vessels.
For anglers, the boat is well-equipped with dual 30-gallon livewells, one in the leaning post and one on the transom. Rod holders in the gunwales abound, and some are the popular Mate Series that do double duty as cup holders.
Transom seats snap away, leaving -padded bolsters for fighting fish; bolsters also surround the cockpit. Tow rails ease gaffing fish, and undergunwale rod stowage keeps more sticks handy. Fish boxes are macerated. Tackle storage in the leaning post is generous.
The helm and cockpit are protected from the sun by the expansive hardtop with color-matched supports. On the dash, dual 12-inch Simrads are standard, along with sonar. Our test boat had all the engine functions integrated into the displays, eliminating the need for analog gauges—but digital Suzuki gauges could be added. Also standard on our tester was the windlass.
For creature comforts, lounge seats forward have a pair of stowable backrests. On the front of the console is a double lounge with storage beneath.
The popular new 350 Suzuki -outboards boast the only dual-prop drives in the outboard world, and they proved up to the task of getting this boat up on plane. In turns, the torque and bite of the dual props kept it steady without dumping speed as the turn progressed.
The motors were quiet at cruising speeds, making for an enjoyable ride to the grounds—whether seated forward, at the helm or on the transom seats taking advantage of the smooth ride of the 20-degree deadrise hull. The ride was solid thanks to a hand-laid, tri-directional fiberglass stringer system injected with closed-cell foam flotation.
Good riding, feature rich and value priced—an unusual combination in a bluewater boat.
⋅Electronic throttle and shift and power steering are standard.
⋅Trim tabs controlled the ride for decreased planing times and balanced riding in crosswinds and quartering seas.
LOA: 30′3″
Beam: 9′6″
Draft (max): 1′8″
Dry Weight: 6,183 lb. (plus engines)
Seat/Weight Capacity: Yacht Certified
Fuel Capacity: 237 gal.
Price: $190,769
Engines: Twin Suzuki 350 APX
Drive/Props: Outboard/15.5″ x 24″ 3-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 2:1
Fuel Load: 200 gal.
Crew Weight: 500 lb.
Sea Chaser by Carolina Skiff - Waycross, Georgia; 800-422-7282; carolinaskiff.com