Sea Fox 249 Avenger Review

The Sea Fox 249 Avenger uses an innovative side console design for greater seating options so bigger families can enjoy this impressive craft.

In recent years center console fishing boats have really caught on with families who want a versatile do-everything boat that’s easy to maintain and easy to clean. And while there have been many changes in center consoles since, mainly in the way of adding padded seat cushions to what started out as raised front casting decks, the basic design hasn’t changed much at all.

While the center console layout is great for offshore fishing, it’s a bit limiting when it comes to seating the family comfortably for a day on the water. The Sea Fox 249 Avenger has answered this by simply extending the console starboard and adapting it to a side console footprint instead. It’s a simple enough solution, but the benefits that it provides are quite substantial indeed.

The innovative side console layout of the Sea Fix 249 Avenger provides greater seating versatility.

Let’s face it, the whole point of going boating in the first place is to get outside and have some fun in the sun – and that’s where the Sea Fox 249 Avenger really stands out. Its innovative side console design greatly extends the bow seating area, not just adding spaces for more bums, but by providing more useful seating. Forget the old-school cushion mounted atop a cooler along the front of the console – this boat provides a real double-wide, forward-facing seat with deeply padded back rests. And, it does so while still accommodating a cooler – in this case a fully removable 36-quart Igloo model. The removable cooler is a huge step up from the old-style built-in ones, mainly because you can fill it at home, making the whole affair easier to carry and load onboard, and a lot easier to clean afterward.

The Avenger’s side console design allows a different approach to cockpit seating than seen on similar center console models.

Along the starboard side the added console provides a solid seat back for a long lounge seat facing forward, which is absolutely the best spot to stretch out while underway. The addition of integrated beverage holders, full-length cockpit coaming through the bow area and a recessed stainless steel grab rail are thoughtful touches. The forward end of the seat offers substantial storage space in its base.

The console-front seat hides a 36-quart Igloo cooler in its base.

Right up front the wide bow provides double-wide aft-facing seating, while a port-side lounge can be used in aft-facing or forward-facing positions with the addition of a removable seat back. A removable cockpit table with integrated beverage holders makes the bow a terrific space for lunch on the water.

Adding the removable cockpit table converts the bow into a great lunch spot.

The helm console is well designed with a stainless steel steering wheel complete with turning knob, stainless beverage holders, and full instrumentation in the form of a single multifunction digital gauge with tachometer, speedometer, volt meter and fuel gauge. There’s still plenty of space left over to install a large flush-mount multi-function display of the owner’s choice. The starboard side of the console is dominated by an aft-facing companion seat, which can be lowered if desired.

But what’s really appealing about the extra-wide helm is that it provides sufficient space to accommodate a head. Remember, this is a 24-foot boat! The ability to have a proper washroom on board is a huge plus, and gives the Sea Fox 249 Avenger tremendous added appeal.

The neatly designed helm offers plenty of space for a large MFD, and is deep enough to accommodate a proper head compartment. Nice!

As a versatile offshore boat, the 249 Avenger maintains an open aft cockpit to ensure there’s plenty of space for fishing, diving, swimming or pulling the kids on a tube. A full-width transom seat provides still more comfy seating while concealing a huge storage locker below. A transom pass-through to starboard allows easy access to the spacious rear swim platform, complete with retractable stainless steel boarding ladder, while a large aerated 40-gallon live well to port – along with in-gunnel rod storage – keeps the fishermen in the family happy. Overhead, a standard T-top includes rear spreader lights.

The open aft cockpit still provides additional seating across the transom.

A number of options are available for the Sea Fox 249 Avenger, including an Ultima hard top, stereo upgrades, upholstery upgrades, snap-in woven cockpit mat flooring, an electric toilet and more.

Able to handle outboards of up to 300 horsepower, the 249 Avenger has performance to match its good looks.

Families who like the low maintenance and seaworthiness of center consoles but who would like a floorplan with greater emphasis on seating comfort will find the Sea Fox 249 Avenger has a lot to offer. With its comfortable appointments, excellent ride and traditional Sea Fox quality, this is an easy boat to like.