Besides catamarans, which took a giant leap toward innovation (but have been slow to gain acceptance), most boat designs haven't changed much in the past few decades. A center console is still a center console. Ergo, boat companies put great effort into incremental improvements.

But occasionally, a company comes along with a model that shows so much thought and attention to detail that it instantly climbs up beside boats counted among "best in class." The new SeaVee 310 qualifies for that rarified elite.

Performance
I wish teenagers were like this SeaVee 310: It does whatever you ask of it immediately and with no argument. A half-load of fuel and water and an empty 65-gallon livewell allowed the 310 with twin Mercury 225 OptiMax engines to visit 53.1 mph at 5,750 rpm. At that speed, turning 15 1/4- by 19-inch props, the Mercs burned 43.3 gph. I found the most fuel-efficient cruising speed to be about 37 mph running 4,000 rpm, where we used roughly 17 1/2 gph. Even with just one 225-hp outboard, I managed to get the SeaVee up on plane and running at 20 mph.

However, the company suggests that owners carry at least one spare prop of two pitches lower than normal. That way, if you have to run home on one engine, you can actually get up and run at 30 mph with ease. In 30-mph cruising-trim turns, a hard-over course change leans the boat nicely, bleeds speed quickly and turns the SeaVee 180 degrees in about two boat lengths. Rest assured that you won't send anyone overboard with this maneuver on the 310. Even without tabs, the boat runs at a pretty flat angle of inclination.

Wide open, the 310 acts like a NASCAR racer. It flattens right down and hugs the water's surface, almost hovering. The best description of the sensation this SeaVee 310 imparts underway is "tight." Launch the 310 off a wave with clear air beneath and you get a soft, quiet landing. Down-sea, it readily rises up over the next wave. About the only hull noise I noticed came when drifting next to a weed line. As the boat rolled, the chine and the integral transom bracket slapped as they met the water with each roll. Speaking of which, the 310 exhibited very gentle roll transitions and a moderate roll moment. It wants to drift absolutely beam-to the wind and seas.

Fishing
No matter where I stood from bow to stern, I could work a rod without the slightest obstruction and always felt secure braced against the gunwale. In the transom, a clear Lucite hatch on the 65-gallon livewell seals tightly to pressurize the well, keeping the bait from sloshing around underway. This boat comes with one standard livewell (two more optional) and two insulated fish boxes (third optional).

Key West cutouts on the hardtop allow storage for five sticks on both console sides - but don't think that's the total rod storage aboard. Between lockable in-deck storage, undergunwale storage and elsewhere, I counted space for an incredible 50 rods aboard this 31-footer. SeaVee no longer installs macerator pumps on its fish boxes because macerators always get packed up (especially with fish scales) and then burn out. SeaVee uses diaphragm pumps that may take a little longer to empty the box, but can practically pass an entire baitfish without a hiccup.

The leaning post seat hides a huge storage bin with a lift-out tackle center. The back of the leaning post module features a foldout table with a lip around the edge that keeps plastic carry-on tackle trays in place while underway. Many boats don't make the anchor hanger big enough to support the right size anchor for the boat. This one does, plus it allows substantial room for anchor rode. You can easily anchor over a wreck 500 feet down and have scope to spare.

Design and Construction
SeaVee qualifies as a semicustom builder. You can choose the layout, how many and where you want rod holders and make other configuration decisions. Everything from the waterline up is Divinycell-cored and vacuum-bagged, while the bottom is solid fiberglass.

Inside the console you'll discover hatches for access to the back of electronics. The upper hatch comes standard with a cooling fan to exhaust warm air inside the nav-gear compartment. You'll find no exposed wiring, switches or the like in the console, either. Nothing for passengers to get caught on or inadvertently switch on or off.

Unique shelves in the bulwark under the forward gunwales are actually created, thanks to deck supports. You won't experience an iota of gunwale flex on this SeaVee.

Loads of other thoughtful additions like rubber seals and dogs for airtight hatch closure mean drop a hatch lid and all you hear is whoosh! In addition to insulating the boxes and composite-cored hatch lids, every insulated box gets an added inch of refrigeration-spec insulation foam. If you love boats as I do, you'll appreciate going aboard a SeaVee 310 to see the results of "doing it right."

Specifications
LOA: 32 ft. 6 in.
BEAM: 9 ft. 4 in.
DEADRISE: 25 deg.
DRAFT: 1 ft. 8 in.
WEIGHT: 5,500 lb.
FUEL: 250 gal. (std.)
MAX POWER: T300-hp OB
MSRP: $69,500 (w/o power)

Mercury 225-hp OptiMax Saltwater
TYPE: 60-degree V-6
DISPL.: 185 cid
MAX RPM: 5,750
HP/LB RATIO: 0.44
FUEL SYSTEM: Orbital direct injection
GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1
WEIGHT: 512 lb.
ALT. OUTPUT: 60 amps
MSRP: $14,861

The Mercury 225s powered the SeaVee 310 perfectly acceptably. But I can't wait to see how the new 250-hp DFIs will drive it!

Notable Standard Equipment

• Electronics compartment fan
• Leaning post
• 65-gallon livewell
• Insulated fish boxes
• Lockable rod storage
• Electric marine head

Impressions
I liked it. I liked it a lot!

SeaVee Boats
305-759-6419
www.seaveeboats.com