The popular Seacat 636 has had an upgrade. Offering even better cosmetics and a step up on the finishings, this craft is going to remain trendy and well-liked for some time to come. The editor takes a day out to review the new Seacat 636.
The Seacat 636 is designed primarily as a fishing boat – it doesn’t matter how you drop a line, anything from light tackle to hardcore sportsfishing is at the heart of the latest Seacat. While she enjoys all disciplines of angling, Ernie Magson of Magson Marine tells me that what she really loves is some rough water.
In choosing our review day, we had picked one which would see an offshore wind breezing a bit to kick up some chop and lips on the swell – but arriving at Gordon’s Bay to a fog bank, no wind and long gentle swell meant we looked about as confused as an Malaysian air traffic controller. We waited for the mist to burn off, slipped the Seacat off her breakneck double-axle trailer and wandered out into the bay.
Deck layout
Inside the 636, the general layout is simple and practical. This is a big and spacious boat; and while it will be plenty for most fishermen, the extremely serious marlin angler, with the optional fighting chair fitted, may have wanted just a smidge more space onboard – but perhaps, that’s almost always the scenario anyway.
Between the motors there’s a small step platform with a fold-down ladder on the back of the boat for easy entry and exit, both when she is on the trailer and in the water, and there’s also a decent-sized livebait well.
The deck features two fair-sized fish hatches that can handle long fish like ’cuda and wahoo. There are also two fuel hatches that can take 4 x 25-litre cans per side in front of the fish hatches – or alternatively you can opt to go for stainless built-in tanks of the same size.
This 636 features a full wet deck with channels around the hatches and deck outskirts to ensure that any possible water on the deck is drained effectively.
As standard on the 636 the skipper gets a helm barstool. The 636 on our review was upgraded to have the bum seats borrowed from the 520 cc which I honestly prefer. It’s a little more comfortable, gives you additional storage and provides extra seating for the crew too.
The console area is neat and has all the necessities — a decent area for the GPS/fishfinding equipment of your choice, a tackle drawer system, dry storage compartments, and an entrance to the cabin – which is, incidentally, big enough to fit a toilet if necessary.
This 636 is the enclosed version, all of which means you’re going to be well protected from the elements, even on the worst of days.
The 636 is an anglers boat, so rest assured it’s fitted with the necessities, such as rod holders, storage in the gunnels, trolling boards and more.
Performance
Our Seacat 636 came fitted with two 150 HP 4-Stroke engines. Beautiful, reliable engines with oodles of power, there’s little reason why deep sea fishermen wouldn’t like these motors. While they are light on the gas and give more than enough go, you could opt to save yourself some bucks and go for twin 115 HP’s which I think would a perfect match for the price; but go down to 100’s and I think you’ll always be wanting more, especially when you’re loaded up with crew, tackle and catch.
