2009 Sea Fox Pro Series 187 CC

A beefy centre-console runabout with offshore-class range, capable of handling big waves and weather, doesn’t necessarily have to come with a hefty price tag and scary fuel bills.

Powered by Suzuki’s new DF90 outboard, the Sea Fox Pro Series 187 CC is big, comfortable and fast enough to satisfy island-hopping cottagers or anglers who want good sea-keeping plus plenty of room to roam in the cockpit.

Boaters of all stripes will appreciate the Sea Fox’s flexible seating plan and easy-clean fibreglass-lined cockpit. The helm seat, which does double duty as a cooler, has a flip-flop backrest. This lets boaters turn around and face backwards – at the dock, at anchor or on the beach – to face the double seat aft in the middle of the boat just forward of the engine well. There’s another seat forward of the helm console, atop a 48- quart (45-litre) portable cooler with a padded seat/lid and a padded backrest. Order the optional bow seat pad for even more seating or lounging space.

For the fishing crowd, there’s an aerated 15-gallon (57-litre) livewell aft to port. Everyone will appreciate the split stainless steel bow rails and the grab rail on the helm console above the windscreen.

Speaking of the helm, it has an aluminum dash panel and full instrumentation, with lots of room to add more electronics. Controls are well placed and the stainless steel steering wheel has a spinner for easier close-quarters manoeuvring.

Top speed is a peppy 40 mph at 6000 rpm with cruising speeds from 17 to 27 mph.The 19-degree deadrise hull planes easily – reaching 20 mph in 6.5 seconds and 30 mph in 9.3 seconds – but also smoothes out waves.

For family boaters, the 187 CC offers a nice turn of speed and has enough power to open up lots of waterfront options – up to and including wakeboarding, water-skiing and tubing.

On top of all that, the 187 CC is comfortable and offers many conveniences.With the fuel-sipping electronic fuel-injected DF90 on the transom and a built-in 51-gallon (193-litre) fuel tank, the boat will have plenty of range no matter what activity you choose.

Load up the boat and prepare for adventure.

TEST BOAT ENGINE
Suzuki DF90, 91.7 ci / 1.5 L, inline four-cylinder four-stroke gasoline outboard producing 90 hp, driving an aluminum prop

ACCELERATION (mph/sec)
0-20 / 6.5 ; 0-30 / 9.3

TOP SPEED (rpm/mph)
6000 / 40.1

CRUISING SPEEDS (rpm/mph)
3500 / 17.1 ; 4000 / 22.8 ; 4500 / 26.2

SOUND LEVEL AT CRUISE (4000 rpm)
Helm– 88 dbA ; Aft cockpit – 89 dbA

SOUND LEVEL AT TOP SPEED
Helm– 91 dbA ; Aft cockpit – 93 dbA