Sea Fox 206 Commander Review

It can be fun to enjoy an elaborate meal made with exotic ingredients, but simpler foods that are just made really well also have a strong appeal, and that’s an apt way of looking at the Sea Fox 206 Commander. The 206 Commander may not be terribly exotic, but it is extremely well designed, well executed, and well made – resulting in a versatile and dependable boat that delivers a world of fun without breaking the bank.

Measuring a trim 20 feet, four inches in length and eight feet, one inch wide, the Sea Fox 206 Commander lives up to its promise of good times anywhere, anytime by being easy to trailer, and easy to launch and retrieve from even the most basic boat ramps. Weighing in at svelte 2,500 pounds, it tows easily behind a mid-sized SUV, meaning you don’t need a huge diesel pickup just to get it to and from the water.

The 206 Commander is big enough for offshore fishing, yet small enough to be easy to tow behind a mid-sized vehicle.

But it would be a mistake to dismiss the 206 Commander as a small boat for small waters, since its 18-deree deadrise hull, 25-inch transom and generous interior depth give this rig legitimate offshore credentials. And that’s the appeal – it’s right-sized, being trim enough for small waters, beefy enough for offshore, deep enough to handle the swells yet in only drawing 14 inches of water, light enough to get through skinny waters without hanging up. That’s quite a combination, and kudos to Sea Fox for achieving such an incredible balance in the 206 Commander.

The stern casting deck conceals a pair of jump seats, with a live well between them. Note the wide gunnels, standard pull-up cleats, and stainless trim everywhere.

The Sea Fox 206 Commander follows traditional center console styling with a few fresh tweaks. The main cockpit is open and surprisingly spacious for a 20-foot boat, providing plenty of room to fish, prepare for a dive, or head into town to pick up supplies. An integrated swim platform on either side of the outboard makes for comfortable boarding from the dock, while a flip-down boarding ladder on the starboard side makes re-boarding after a swim just as easy.

The stern of the 206 Commander features a full-beam raised casting deck that includes flip-up jump seats in the corners. Between them is a 20-gallon aerated live well, and a couple of stainless steel drink holders for jump seat passengers  to use when underway.

The aerated live well shares deck space with a couple of stainless drink holders. Note the stainless drains in the lower corners – the cockpit is fully self-draining.

With its focus on saltwater fishing, the 206 Commander – like all Sea Fox boats – makes generous use of stainless steel with its great looks, superior strength and unsurpassed anti-corrosion properties. Everything is stainless – the drink holders, the fasteners, the latches on compartment lids, the pull-up cleats that neatly recess flush into the deck when not in use so they can’t snag stray fishing lines, the swim platform boarding ladder, the rod holders, the rub rail, even the steering wheel. The 206 Commander might be one of Sea Fox’s smaller boats, but there’s no cutting corners here.

The sharp-eyed will also spot the stainless steel scupper drains in the cockpit floor near the transom – there because the 206 Commander is fully self-draining. Any water that does find its way aboard simply runs down the deck, out the drains, and over the side. Leaving the boat docked for a week or more no longer needs to be a gut-wrenching affair, since any overnight rains just run off leaving the floor nice and dry when you step aboard. But the Sea Fox 206 Commander still comes with not just one, but two automatic bilge pumps just in case.

The helm has plenty of space for adding one or more touch-screen displays and other gear.

The wide gunnels include the aforementioned pull-up cleats and flush-mount rod holders, while below there’s storage space for multiple fishing rods, keeping them safe when not in use.

The helm leaning post provides space in its base to accommodate a removable 48-quart cooler. The leaning post itself is simple but solid, and extremely comfortable.

The console is quite neatly designed, providing enough space inside to accommodate a portable head, yet without really intruding into the deck space and obstructing bow-to-stern movement. Nicely done indeed.

It’s an optional upgrade, but the available T-top is worth considering for its extra sun protection on hot days.

The central portion of the dash houses a pair of digital multi-gauges, with a double row of backlit push-button switches for electrical components such as the navigation lights, live well pump, bilge pumps and so on. There’s still plenty of space for adding additional items, from one or more flush-mounted touch-screen displays to VHF radios. A pair of integrated stainless drink holders, and a perfectly positioned, angled footrest, provide added comfort when underway. The big stainless steel steering wheel includes a turning knob, as well as a tilt function for driver comfort.

Overhead, an optional  T-top provides welcome protection from the mid-day sun. An integrated electronics box is also available.

The bow features a raised casting platform that makes a nice place to lounge in the sun, especially if you add the available seat cushion set.

On the front face of the console is a handy seat, with a raised bow casting deck up front. There are storage compartments for gear beneath both the seat and the front deck, both spacious enough to handle bulky items with ease. An optional bow cushion set converts the casting deck to comfortable seating, while stainless drink holders and grab rails integrated into the gunnels are a thoughtful touch.

Drink holders and grab handles in the bow are a nice touch that will be appreciated by passengers riding up front.

On the floor between the bow deck and the console is a large in-floor fish box. An optional second live well can also be ordered for the bow, which could be worthwhile for those who fish a lot.

A number of appealing option packages are available for the Sea Fox 206 Commander, from individual upgrades like the available Fusion stereo system to entire option groups like the fishing and upholstery packages. The idea being, customers can spec the boat exactly as they like and not be forced to pay for things they don’t necessarily want.

There’s a lot to like about the Sea Fox 206 Commander. It may not be exotic, but it gets all the basics just right.

Like a simple meal that’s exceptionally well prepared, the 206 Commander from Sea Fox may not be particularly exotic, but it gets absolutely everything right. Looking for a versatile boat that’s easy to handle even when boating solo? The Sea Fox 206 Commander delivers.