SeaVee 400Z

Celebrating a ­half-century in the boatbuilding business this year, SeaVee ranks as one of the most vaunted names in the center-console fishing-boat market. Such longevity is not to be taken ­lightly, as many boat brands have come and gone in the 50 years since SeaVee launched its first model. Perhaps that’s because SeaVee ­never lost sight of its mission of building the ­highest-quality custom-­ordered boats for ­serious anglers.     

The new 400Z serves as a shining example. It replaces the wildly popular 390Z, and is 4 inches longer and 3 inches wider. The hullsides are ­also 8 inches taller, and the hull floats about 4 inches higher. 

The beam-to-length ­ratio offers large platforms fore and aft to create plenty of fishing room, and the entire boat is loaded with clever ideas, all surrounded by solid construction. Available in quad- or triple-engine configurations, our test boat was rigged with triple 400 hp Mercury V-10 Verado outboards. With three of us aboard, 335 gallons of ­fuel and 60 gallons of water, the 400Z jumped on plane in under 8 seconds with little to no bow rise, thanks to SeaVee’s patented cross-­ventilated, twin-stepped Z-hull. 

At 4,500 rpm, the 400Z moved along at 41.2 mph burning 40.6 gph for 1.01 mpg. At wide-open throttle, the triple V-10s turned 6,350 rpm, vaulting the 400Z to 65­­­­­­ mph while burning 100 gph for 0.64 mpg.

SeaVee has perfected its interior’s easy-to-use features. For example, the anchor locker is user-friendly whether deploying ground tackle manually or using the optional windlass. Inside, you’ll also find cleverly designed fender storage on the port and starboard sides. Under the forward gunwales on both sides are molded-in shelves with hatches that house salt- and freshwater coiled-hose washdowns. Forward seating is set back from the bow as to not impede anchoring or fishing. 

The forward seating hatches have gasket seals and proprietary latch hardware to access the fully molded interior. The electrically actuated backrests are raised with a Carling switch recessed in the seat face. A 161-gallon storage/fish box resides along the centerline. Just forward of the console, I found another insulated storage bin that can ­also be optioned as a ­71-gallon forward livewell. There are 90-gallon in-deck storage bins that extend 8 feet forward that can house rods. The 400Z can be rigged with 240 gallons of live-bait capacity in four wells. 

A new console on the 400Z offers 6 inches more width, a spacious interior, a larger forward seat and an expansive helm area. Twelve gunwale rod holders line each side. Utilizing an electric actuator, the forward seat of the console slides open to reveal a fully finished interior with a molded sink and countertop, an optional electric head, side storage shelves, and access to the back side of the electronics. 

The business end of the console features a raised helm pod on centerline, with a cleverly executed, custom-illuminated push-button switch panel with a Mercury VesselView display as the centerpiece. Switching integration allows for complete control of vessel functions. The design also creates a massive dash for a pair 24-inch electronics displays. Under the helm, SeaVee molds in a dedicated footrest.

The molded hardtop with beefy pipework offers molded aft spreader lights and speaker pods, a forward-facing light bar, and flush-mounted overhead LED lights. Our test boat had six rod holders across the back and Gemlux Bluewater carbon-fiber internal outriggers, ideal for targeting tuna or other pelagics. 

The 400Z is offered with either a single row or ­optional dual-row helm seating; each row offers three helm chairs with armrests. The forward seat bases lift up in unison for storage underneath. There is tackle storage on both sides of the leaning post as well as on the aft side, with a drop-down hatch up high, two pullout drawers behind the backrest, and an insulated drink box under the seat. With dual-row seating, the second row comes with either captain’s chairs or a bench seat, and features a tackle center, rigging station, and a slide-out insulated ­cooler below. 

Read Next: SeaVee 420Z

The cockpit is also new, with 43-gallon livewells in each corner, and two storage compartments for 5-gallon buckets in-deck on each side of the lazarette access hatch, which is larger than the previous 390Z. It offers easy ­access to the bilge bump, livewell sump box, and the fuel manifold system. Forward of the lazarette on centerline is a 100-gallon storage bin, optional livewell or, as our test boat had, a compartment for the optional Seakeeper 3 gyro­stabilizer. On both sides of that are 100-gallon insulated fish boxes. Our test boat had 15 rod holders along the transom in two rows. A portside hull inward-opening door features a massive stainless hinge, and a molded compartment with a pullout swim ladder.

With over 50 years of building quality center-consoles, it’s no surprise that the new 400Z hits all the marks. It provides a solid ride and well-thought-out appointments for comfort and fishing success. The folks at SeaVee have applied the unending lessons of long days on the water over many years in various-size boats to create another fine center-console that will no doubt bring ­many of today’s most discerning anglers great days on the water. 

Specifications

SeaVee Boats – Miami, Florida; seaveeboats.com

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