From: fortner@hal.eel.ufl.edu (Dave Fortner)
Subject: Re: Wellcraft Fishing Boats
Keywords: fishing, recommendations
Organization: University of Florida
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 92 16:35:20 GMT

In article <1554@niktow.canisius.edu> pavlov@niktow.canisius.edu (Greg Pavlov) writes:
>In article <1992Oct12.130646.4975@nntpd.lkg.dec.com>, swist@doodly.mcc.dec.com (Jim Swist) writes:
>> 
>> I am familiar with Wellcraft ...... but they are not a name which comes to
>> the tip of one's tongue in fishing boats. Does anyone have any experience/
>> comments on the 236/250 Sportsman or Coastal series?
>> 
>> Also Powerboat Reports recent survey of Wellcraft owners cited poor
>> resale value as a negative for the entire line.  This seems inconsistent
>> with Wellcraft's supposed position as a maker of much better than
>> average boats.  High end boats like Gradys and Whalers (in the fishing
>> boat market) tend to have a pretty good resale value.
>> 
>
>  I have looked at a LOT of fishing boats these past two months.  I have seen
>  apx. half a dozen used 250's in the process and have noticed that there are
>  a substantial number of used ones always for sale in various publications
>  such as Offshore and Soundings.  

I recently purchased a 1985 248 Sportsman w/'90 3.0 liter (225 Hp) Sea Drive
I love this boat, I shopped around for 4 months until I found this one.
I was looking for a '82 to '85 248 Sportsman and I perfered the Sea Drive.
This is the same hull that Wellcraft is currently using for the 250's.

>
>  A couple of things:
>
>  1. I would consider Wellcraft to build a decent boat - I've seen quite a 
>     few of their cruisers/runabouts as well - but not "much better than 
>     average" by any means.  Overall, I would rank them somewhere below Sea
>     Ray but above Bayliner;

Well??? I would say better than the newer Sea Rays that I've seen lately,
but certianly not as good as a GW or Pursuit.

>
>  2. maybe a minor point, but:  if you see a 250 on a trailer or on blocks,
>     go to a point about halfway between the transom and the console and
>     press in on the hull (from the outside of the boat).  Then do the same
>     on a Grady White.  The former will flex, the latter won't;

Mine won't

>
>  3. the 250 is supposed to be a "walkaround" fishing boat.  But the "walk-
>     around" is rather skimpy, similar to old GWs.  The ratio of cockpit area
>     to boat length seems to be smaller than on a GW, Sea Ox, etc and it is
>     split into two levels on top of that.  It strikes me as being a cross
>     between a fishing boat and a general family boat;

This is VERY TRUE! I am a very large person and I will not try to walk
to the bow in a moderate to heavy sea. Also, the cockpit is smaller than
many other boats of it's size, be aware that the length of the cockpit
in the area of the rod storage racks is not long enough for the 
fishing rods. This is a compromise boat, I bought it for that purpose
(many of us are getting older and have kids now), I sold a very nice
center console fishing boat to buy this one.

>
>  4. in spite of the above, I think it is a reasonably good boat, particularly
>     if you buy a used one (e.g., the cost).  All the ones that I have seen
>     were in good shape. 

I agree, as I stated earlier I shopped for this one for some time. This
was the 27th 248 Sportsman that I looked at before deciding that this
particular boat was the one I wanted. This boat had the following
items:

	'85 Hull
	'90 3.0 Liter Sea Drive (96 hours at time of purchase)
	Full Canvas w/drop curtains
	Shore Power
	Dual Voltage Refrig.
	Pressureized Water System
	Alcohol Stove
	Rod Holders
	Outriggers
	VHF Radio
	LORAN
	Color Video Fishfinder
	Shore power
	AM/FM Cassette
	Marine Head w/Maserator pump
	Much More

	Price: $9800 (I bought it in July of this year)

Try to touch that with a GW, I was able to get a boat in
excellent condition and fully loaded for less than a beat
up GW or Pursuit. Good luck in finding yours.

Dave Fortner
Fortner-D@3mail.ksc.nasa.gov

Go Miami Dolphins

Usual Disclaimers Apply