Sailfish 30-06 CC

Model Introduction
The Sailfish 30-06 Center Console is the largest model in the builder’s lineup. It has a clear mission—offshore fishing. Not that it isn’t also for other activities as well, such as diving and day cruising, but this boat is designed to head well offshore for fishing, and do so in comfort.

Construction
The skin coat of chop in DCPD resin goes down over the gelcoat, followed by a solid hull laminate of knit fiberglass in the sides and woven roving in the bottom. The hull is supported by a fiberglass, foam-cored Compsys stringer system, and the bulkheads are also foam-cored. The whole network is encapsulated in fiberglass and bonded to the hull. The transom is built of high-density poured foam-cored transom encapsulated in fiberglass. The hull-to-deck joint is bonded with urethane adhesive and stainless self-tapping screws every foot. The rubrail and the stainless insert follows with two more rows of screws fastening the joint. The one-piece cockpit/liner is bonded to the stringers with urethane putty, becoming an integral part of the boat’s structure. The cabin liner is also bonded to the hull and to the cockpit liner where they meet at the aft cabin bulkhead. The Sailfish comes with a 10-year structural warranty that covers the hull against defects.

Hull Design
The Sailfish 30-06 CC has a deep-vee hull form with a sharp, deep entry and 24° of transom deadrise. Reverse running strakes (they turn up rather than down from garboard to chine), similar to the old Sea Craft hulls, run the length of the bottom. Its high freeboard increases seaworthiness, helping to prevent boarding seas, while providing high gunwale coamings inside the cockpit and a relatively high cockpit deck level above the waterline.

Walkthrough
Cockpit
Stepping onboard the Sailfish 30-06 either through a low transom door or over the side, the cockpit immediately impresses with its full 30-in. coaming height. A portable cooler back aft is held in place by rubber sockets against the transom; depending on the agenda, the cooler could be easily removed to open up a little more space for fishing, but on the other hand it also offers an insulated storage box for the catch. Below the cooler is a hatch leading to an in-deck storage locker, and just forward of the cooler is a door leading to the boat’s mechanical compartment. The fuel filters are directly inside where they’re easy to get to, and all the wiring and plumbing is well secured inside.

The cockpit has plenty of toe kick space along the sides, thanks to a gunwale insert that is covered on its inboard surface by a comfortable padded bolster that runs along the cockpit perimeter. Eight rod holders in the gunwale, several cup holders and 6 under-gunwale rod racks take care of business aft. The livewell is aft to starboard, integral to the deckliner. Corner-mounted scuppers clear washdown water overboard quickly, and flip-up slotted covers help keep large debris from clogging the overboard-leading drainlines. The large, 2-in. scupper drain lines, 2 per scupper, are recessed several inches below the deck, making for quick and easy water drainage from the cockpit.

The molded nonskid deck surface grips well, and its aggressive but well-spaced pattern is easy to clean. Forward is a large unit on centerline that includes the helm and companion seats with flip-up bolsters on the forward side, a bait prep station with tackle drawers below on its aft side and storage space below.

Bridgedeck
The helm station has room for a megayacht’s electronics suite. As is appropriate for an offshore-capable boat like this, the navigation electronics—GPS chart plotter, fishfinder and radar—get priority in terms of sightline placement. Engine gauges and accessory controls are down low, where there are still within sight and easy to reach as needed. Trim tab indicators, compass, Yamaha digital multifunction gauges and tilt-wheel steering are all standard. The wheel and engine dual binnacle are comfortably positioned. Flip-up bolsters provide plenty of standing room at the wheel, and seated and standing height of eye isn’t that much different, thanks to the high seat. This arrangement also ensures good visibility to the horizon over the bow, even when coming up on plane. There’s plenty to hang on to at speed offshore, with a grab bar running across the width of the console along with the hardtop supports at arm’s length. On top of the console is a tackle organizer.

Foredeck
The Sailfish leaves plenty of room to get forward past the console, and a flush gunwale-mounted hand rail adds to the deep cockpit’s sense of security in the bow. This area has molded fiberglass V-shaped seats, all part of the deckliner, that offer plenty of storage space in three compartments inside. There’s also a large in-deck storage locker with an overboard-draining gutter. The 4 cup holders and 2 rod holders provided ought to take care of everybody fishing forward. Forward of the console is a molded seat with a cushion and backrest and storage below.

In the forepeak is the anchor locker, with a hatch for access and rubber clips to hold the anchor stocks. The test boat also had a windlass leading to the stainless anchor pulpit, which was bracketed by the bow-mounted sidelights. Inside the console, accessed through a port-side door, is the head compartment, generously proportioned, and with clear access to the inside of the helm station instrument panel. There’s a small window to let in a little light as well as storage space inside a locker and behind a couple of retaining nets for loose items. Aft is another door leading to the battery locker. The tooled fiberglass head compartment has a drain and should prove easy to clean.

The overall impression of the Sailfish’s forward and aft cockpit (and the rest of the boat, actually) is of an upscale boat with superb practicality and ergonomics, and extras you might not expect on a boat in this moderate price range, including the wraparound padded coaming bolster, the stainless railing around the gunwale forward, and the color-coordinated seat cushions at the helm and in the bow area (matching the bolsters).

Engine and Propulsion
The test boat had a pair of 250-hp Yamaha 4-stroke outboards. Access to the mechanical compartment below the motorwell is from the cockpit, while the batteries are in a compartment inside the center console and accessed from the head. A dual battery switch is standard. The twin Yamaha 250s appear to be a good fit for the boat’s size, weight and mission.

Sea Trial
The sea trial took place in ideal test conditions: a 2- to 3-ft. chop on top of a 3-foot swell off Gloucester, MA. These are the kind of waves the Sailfish 30-06 was designed to handle easily, and it met expectations on all counts. Running at 35 mph in these seas, the boat did not pound at all, but rather ran comfortably and smoothly into the waves. A look at the very aggressive, deep-vee entry shows why the boat runs so well. Running downsea, the boat tracked very well, with no inclination to deviate more than a few degrees from course.

The hull banks moderately into a turn, with just enough heel to keep everyone onboard on balance and securely situated. Power steering on an outboard of this size is preferable, to get the steering effort down and minimize the turns lock to lock, improving agility and maneuverability, both offshore and at the dock.

The Yamaha 250-hp 4-stroke outboards were very quiet and accelerated strongly throughout their rpm operating range. Most of the noise recorded seemed to be coming from the spray, not from the engines. Fumes from the engines were essentially nonexistent. The trim tabs were very responsive, immediately raising the stern and dropping the bow. It’s great to have the reserve lift in the event there is a lot of weight aft, or to keep the bow down for a good headsea ride in bigger waves.

All-around visibility to the horizon was very good, with very little to interfere with sightlines, thanks to an efficient T-top support and windshield design At the dock, the boat handled well with the steering centered and using the engines to back the boat into its slip. This big center console is very well suited to offshore use, providing a very safe and very comfortable platform for fishing, cruising, diving or watersports.

Sailfish 3006 CC, twin/Yamaha 250-hp 4- stroke, 3/4 fuel, 2 pax

Manufacturer’s Comments
Serious offshore capability and dazzling style make the Sailfish 3006 an anglers dream. Sailfish’s design staff has taken 20 years of input from the consumer, and with meticulous attention to detail, introduced the ultimate fishing platform. The 30-06 will prove to be the best performing big water boat we have brought to market. Our new VDS 5 hull design is the softest riding, driest hull in Sailfish history. Combined with proven Yamaha V6 power, the multiple deadrise, variable lift plane running surface, makes the 30-06 both responsive, and extremely agile for a boat this size.

Every Sailfish boat is loaded with the most standard equipment in the marketplace and the 30-06 is no exception. But beyond the standards lies the real heart of Sailfish design, function, comfort, and practical ergonomics. Look over the other brands in this size range, we think you will agree, the Sailfish 30-06 is the best of the best, and represents the best value in offshore fishing boats available at any price.

Conclusions
The Sailfish 30-06 CC has a lot to offer. A very good-riding offshore hull design, solid, quality construction methods and materials, high hull freeboard for enhanced seaworthiness and occupant safety inside, and good looks all add up to a boat any offshore fisherman would do well to consider.

The boat comes well equipped at its base price, including 12 stainless rod holders, leaning post with livewell and bait prep station, a 30-gal. transom livewell, insulated bow fish box, cockpit bolsters, freshwater shower aft, raw water washdown, aft cooler seat, T-top with rod holders and spreader lights, compass, freshwater sink, hull color and trim tab indicators.

A few of the options worth considering include the T-Top, outriggers, anchor pulpit, transom sink and bait prep station, Porta Potti, anchor windlass and power steering. Up to twin 300-hp Yamaha two-strokes are available.

Company Background
Sailfish, founded in 1986 as a privately owned and operated boatbuilder, has enjoyed remarkable success and today builds a wide range of very good running, well-built saltwater fishing boats. The Sailfish lineup ranges from 19-ft. bay boats to 30-ft. offshore center consoles, including walkarounds and dual consoles.—Eric Sorensen

For More Information, review Boat Ratings

Specifications
In production since: 2006