LOCKED & LOADED
Text by Barry Thompson
The Finseeker 260DC is unequivocally pitched at the serious fisherman, but it is also designed to attract the family cruising buyer. However, no matter your bent, this boat has, Let’s Go Fishing written all over it. Okay, being Kiwis, we will also tow water toys, dive and go family cruising, but that aside, this is still a no holds-bared fishing boat.
Finseeker is built in the USA by Crownline Boats as their fishing orientated series. These comprise a range of four centre consoles, from 6.25m to 6.93m and two dual console hardtops. The dual console models are essentially the same boat, but one is 31cm (12.2″) longer than the other.
The smaller of the two, the 260 DC is 7.87m LOA, while the 280 DC is 8.18m. If you are looking at keeping the 260 DC in a marina on a dry berth, the overall length, including the engines up, is around 9.0m, so it will easily fit into a 10m marina. Both hulls share the 2.86m beam and have the same floor plan and specs, with the 280 DC being 191 kgs heavier.
The stepped hull is based on 22 deg at the transom starting with the angle of entry of 39 deg at the bow. All Finseekers feature a 7.5 deg downturn chines, contributing to a dry ride.
I liked the fact the 260 DC comes standard with a generous 644 litre fuel tank to feed the pair of Mercury 300hp Verados.
Standard power is a pair of 200hp Mercury Verado outboards. The twin 300s returned a top speed of 49 knots, which saw a fuel burn of 182 lph. Best cruise was around 4000 rpm, which produces a fuel burn of 81 lph and a speed of 30 knots. As this boat will undoubtedly be used for trolling gamefish, your troll speed around 8 knots means you are using around 30 lph.
MULTI-PURPOSE
When Crownline first conceived the idea of the 260 DC and 280 DC (Dual console) models, they wanted to blend two mediums, family boating and serious fishing. To achieve this, they needed to incorporate safety, comfort, performance, entertainment and convenience with the needs of hardcore fishing. The 260 DC has achieved that and more.
The boat has distinctive features, which sets the brand apart from its competitors.
Often with twin outboards, the access area forward to the transom is unusable due to the recessed engine well with control and steering cables. However, Crownline has overcome that with a multi-use transom storage locker door that drops down to give a solid flat walking surface from side to side. It also extends your fishing area. There is a wide transom door to starboard, complete with a fold away door. The rear locker is the perfect place to stow your fenders. There’s also a handheld shower, stereo remote and shore power outlet. All of which come standard on the 260 DC.
In keeping with the blending of the cruising family boating and serious fishing modes, the rear of the cockpit incorporates a drop-down bench seat, complete with a soft backrest.
This folds back out of the way when you want maximum cockpit space for fishing. But that’s not all. A similar hideaway bench seat to port gives you seating for eight in the cockpit when you need it.
The two forward side modules have a deep storage locker to starboard under a double size rear facing seat, with a small wet bar/galley to port. The galley has a pocket fridge, optional two burner hob and sink unit. There is a no galley option if you choose the Mega Fish Package. This adds a second bait station and includes a 121-litre live bait well, cutting board and additional drawers for the tackle.
Overhead the 260 DC comes with a fully enclosed hardtop with a Sureshade bimini extension extending to the cockpit’s rear.
The flat roof features a single hatch and is perfect for stowing paddleboards or a light inflatable tender. A powder-coated alloy frame acts as the main support structure for the hardtop.
The massive forward screens are split by a central door which gives access to the open bow area and provides ventilation into the enclosed wheelhouse area. When the forward doors are closed, you still have a cutout vent above so you can still have airflow without being blasted by the wind. I liked the way the folding door tucked away into a recess and was out of the way when open.
The dual helm style includes large flip-up seats and a neat fold-out footrest, allowing you to set it at a height to suit you.
To starboard is the feature-packed helm. Twin 12″ Garmin MFDs on our boat were optional, and you have several choices regarding the electronics package. The dash is fitted with a bank of push button aluminium switches, DTS, a joystick and Lenco trim tab controls. Overhead are four Wetsound speakers.
To port is the surprisingly large head compartment, complete with a granite vanity, electric head and raised bowl. There is enough space to stand up and change your clothes after a swim or if you need to change for a party on another boat. Plenty of privacy, and very functional.
Crownline has made the best use of all the space aboard and even includes a dedicated rubbish bin drawer and someone where to keep items such as your car keys, sun cream and cellphones.
There are massive storage areas under the bow section squabs, plus an infill to turn the area into a big sunpad. A drop-in table completes the space for entertaining. I also liked it because you could easily soft bait from here, so it opens up the fishing aspects of the boat even more. The enclosed anchor locker has a through-hull feed, with the auto anchor below the deck and a clear flat foredeck which includes cupholders.
FISHING READY
The Finseeker 260 DC is supplied ready for action. You just need to bring along your tackle and bait. The transom features a 98-litre live bait well complete with LED lighting, plus aeration and recycle systems. When you close the lid, the live well is pressurised, which keeps the water steady, and the fish don’t bounce around when you’re underway. Happy fish, happy live bait.
The coamings come with padded facings, so you have something soft to brace against if you are stand-up fishing. Once you have your fish aboard, there are two deep underfloor self-draining fish bins, complete with LED lighting, in the rear of the cockpit and a 360 litre bin built under the starboard seating module. The side-hinged lid makes it easy to load a big fish in and is also perfect for keeping your drinks and food cool or maybe your bait and some dry ice.
Lightbars flood light into the cockpit when fishing at night and help when backing up into your marina. The boat also comes with LED lighting around the cockpit and interior and underwater lights. One of the most popular options on the boat for those into their fishing is the twin outriggers which mount on the cabin roof and are fully adjustable from the inside.
There are dual tackle storage drawers under the helm and passenger seats, plus another deep storage locker between. If you are into diving, then this is the perfect wet locker for your gear.
VERSATILE COMBO
This is the second Finseeker I have reviewed, and while the 260 DC and the 280 DC are almost clones, that extra length makes the distinction between the two. Both offer the versatility that Crownline wanted to achieve, and with the Finseeker 260 DC, it is plain to see and works well. Although this boat is more akin to the serious fisherman, it offers enough to be suitable as a combo cruiser-fisher.
Specifications:
- Boat Design Name: Finseeker 260 DC
- Year Launched: 2022
- Priced As Tested: $499,990
- Builder: Crownline Boats
- LOA: 7.87m
- Beam: 2.86m
- Deadrise (Transom): 22 deg
- Max Speed: 50 knots
- Construction: Fibreglass
- Fuel Capacity: 644 litres
- Water Capacity: 40 litres
- Engine: 2 x Mercury 300
- Propellers: Revolution 20″ 3bld
- Max Power: 700 hp
- Flooring: Flexiteek
- MFD: 2 x Garmin 12”
- Trim Tabs: Lenco
- Sound System: Wetsounds
- Contact: www.eurocitymarine.co.nz
| PERFORMANCE & FUEL DATA | ||||
| 1500 | 6 | 15 | 2.5 | 230 |
| 2000 | 8 | 30 | 3.8 | 150 |
| 2500 | 12 | 36 | 3 | 190 |
| 3000 | 17 | 45 | 2.7 | 210 |
| 3500 | 26.2 | 65 | 2.5 | 230 |
| 4000 | 30 | 81 | 2.7 | 210 |
| 4500 | 35 | 96 | 2.8 | 200 |
| 5000 | 39 | 115 | 3 | 190 |
| 5500 | 45 | 160 | 3.6 | 160 |
| 5800 | 49 | 182 | 3.8 | 150 |
| Fuel based on 90% of available 644 litres | ||||
