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In hot Pursuit offshore
  |  First Published: December 2012



The largest of Sea Jay’s Pursuit range, the new 7.6 Pursuit is built for one thing – offshore fishing in comfort and style.

The 7.6 Pursuit reviewed is a very special craft, the personal boat of the manufacturers of Sea Jay aluminium boats, the Glass family of Bundaberg. Accordingly, this one was set up to the max, even to twin 225hp Yamaha four-strokes in lieu of a standard 250hp.

The test boat was thoroughly optioned up, including high-end instruments, radar, massive sounder, GPS and more, but any buyer of a 7.6 Pursuit would still take delivery of an identical hull with the same amount of interior room, massively high sides, 500L long-range fuel capacity and a very handsome and eye-catching design and finish.

All the factory options fitted are available to anyone, including the electric anchor winch, twin in-floor kill tanks, plumbed bait tanks, deck wash, checkerplate flooring, deck wash, icebox, chemical toilet and many more.

And the immense seakeeping capability, stability and easy ride make the 7.6 Pursuit a highly successful and desirable offshore rig.

LAYOUT

The big reef anchor is secured on the dual-roller bow sprit and well away from the craft’s lustrous two-pack standard paint job and the Stress Free winch takes care of the deckie’s work up forward. Access forward was fine thanks to rails on the hardtop and plenty of non-skid material on flat surfaces beside the cabin and on the front deck.

There’s good natural light in the fully-lined cabin and terrific amounts of storage under the deep upholstered bunks plus all the head and legroom in the world.

A chemical toilet was fitted under the port bunk with a roll-up, zippered privacy screen.

The windscreen features side clears extending to the heavy-duty, soft-lined hardtop, which has marine radios and a sound system within easy reach.

Skipper and first mate are treated to supportive sliding seats mounted on frames holding optional iceboxes. The first mate’s seat also had a sink tucked behind it with a set of large tackle drawers below. A grab rail, footrest and side shelf are provided for the mate.

The 7.6 Pursuit had one of the best helm set ups I’ve experienced.

Not everyone is going to order the magnificent Raymarine e120 combo that included radar, or the Coursemaster autopilot. But the space in the helm area would allow the largest of electronics any owner might want.

The dash also featured Yamaha gauges, an array of switches, controls for the Stress Free winch and QL trim tabs and handy 12V outlets.

The driving position was ideal, thanks to the adjustable seating. The ample LED lighting overhead, at floor level and in the cockpit is standard.

The carpeted, self-draining cockpit features massive side pockets, a freshwater deck wash with 125L tank, twin under floor kill tanks, rod holders on the wide, non-skid side decks and eight on the hardtop rocket-launcher. The transom bait station has a cutting board and drawer and there’s a large livewell in the transom cap.

The optional hardtop extension covering the cockpit work area provides extra shade. At the transom is a boarding platform with rails each side, a ladder to port and a lockable boarding gate.

PERFORMANCE PLUS

On the water the 7.6 Pursuit was outstanding with the twin Yamaha F225s. Time constraints prevented a run offshore but in smooth waters the foam-filled plate alloy hull proved very quiet at speed, very gentle when crossing its own wake at high speed and had terrific acceleration.

The rig planed at 14 knots (26kmh) at 2000 rpm and cruised easily with fuel consumption of 1km/L at 3000rpm at a speed of 24/5 knots (45.5kmh). At 4000rpm we saw 34 knots (63.3kmh) and at 5000 rpm 45 knots (83.8kmh). With another 1000rpm to spare, top speed must be impressive.

Troy Glass says that with a 250hp Yamaha four-stroke fitted, performance is still easily able to satisfy an owner’s requirements in every way.

With standard hydraulic steering and a lot of urge on the transom, the big twin rig was fingertip easy to drive. Easy, smooth, turns were enjoyable and trimming down and turning hard was even more fun.

This is a very solid plate boat with a 5mm bottom, 4mm sides, 5mm stringers and 4mm bulkheads with a dry hull weight of 1500kg, yet it was remarkably nimble.

FISHABILITY

This is an off shore rig par excellence with every useful or desirable feature. Cockpit sides 1m high keep any seas well away from the interior and with the hull’s immense stability, offshore work would be a pleasure in all but the most appalling conditions.

The 7.6 Pursuit is an offshore craft of some distinction with fit and finish of highest quality. As reviewed it’s a one-off showpiece for the manufacturer.

A popular rig will include a Yamaha F250 four-stroke motor, a Sea Jay trailer, Humminbird 858cx combo sounder/GPS, marine radio, deck wash and trim tabs, bring to cost to around $119,900.

Contact Sea Jay boats on 07 4152 2111 or visit www.seajayboats.com.au.

Facts

SPECIFICATIONS

Length7.6m
Beam2.5m
Hull weight1500kg
Fuel500L
Transom deadrise20°
Power225hp-300hp
Height on trailer3.4m
Length on trailer9.4m
Towinglarge 4WD

Reads: 1927

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