2018 Wellcraft 222 Fisherman review

Owned by Beneteau, built by Rec Boat Holdings in Michigan, USA, Wellcraft boats has been revitalised in recent years. The Wellcraft boat range now consists almost exclusively of a wide range of centre console models.

Thanks to Wellcraft's International Dealer of the Year, Gold Coast-based HiOctane Marine, we have sampled several of the latest Wellcraft models - including the 182 Fisherman, the 242 Fisherman, and the flagship Wellcraft 302 Fisherman.

All models have shown themselves as excellent craft with a consistently fine quality of construction, fit-out and finish. They are also solid out on the water, rattle-free and with a smooth and stable ride from a 20-degree deep vee fibreglass hull.

It was with some expectation, then, that we stepped aboard the latest Wellcraft to land Down Under, the Wellcraft 222 Fisherman.

Launching out of Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast, we spent several hours testing the Wellcraft, enjoying the speed and performance provided by Mercury's tough new Verado 4.6L V8 four-stroke outboard.

HiOctane Marine has Wellcraft 242 Fisherman packages starting from $108,500. This price includes a smaller, yet equally new and high-tech 175hp Mercury V6 four-stroke outboard, along with a tandem-axle EZ Loader alloy trailer, inshore safety gear pack and a year of Queensland registration.

The Wellcraft 222 also comes with lots of factory fitted gear, including a dual-width centre console with head compartment/change room, moulded bow seating area with storage lockers, fold-down rear bench seat, fibreglass construction with foam flotation (to level standard), helm bench lean-seat with removable icebox, 87-litre live bait tank, transom door, boarding platforms, horizontal gunnel rod rack, wide side decks, a deep forward anchor well, self-draining rear deck, coaming rod holders, hydraulic steering and more.

Our test boat was optioned to the gunnels. It gained a two-tone black and white hull with Scarab graphics, bucket sports helm seats with aft facing rod rack, a powder-coated alloy framed fibreglass T-top with storage boxes and rocket launcher, deluxe Fusion stereo system with JL Audio speaker pack, T-top spray shields, bow cushion seating package and forward facing back-rests, bow infill cushion and table, in-floor storage/kill tank with macerator pump, electric pump-out toilet with overboard discharge, electric anchor winch, anchor, rope and chain, ash-coloured removable cockpit matting, SeaDek rubber matting to helm foot-pads and behind the gunnel rod rack, trim tabs, retractable boarding ladder, and more.

All these extras, the EZ Loader trailer and maximum power Mercury 250hp V8 extra-longshaft (25-inch) four-stroke outboard pushed the drive-away package price to $153,500. Yes, this is a fair sum for a 6.5-metre boat, but the test rig was fitted with every available option, except for an electronics suite.

The Wellcraft 222 Fisherman has much the same layout as the larger 242 Fisherman model tested previously, but differs in that a foot or so of space (or length) is lopped off at each end of the boat, creating less rear cockpit space and a slightly smaller bow seating compartment. That said, there is no shortage of room aboard for fishing and family boating applications.

Similar to the larger model, the 242 Fisherman has a moulded bow seating area with two side seats separated by a step or platform incorporating a pair of drink/cup holders.

Further forward is a large foredeck anchor well, offset to the port side to make room for an optional electric anchor winch.

As noted earlier, the bow’s removable cushions are optional, though the firm, yet comfortable side backrests are included.

The forward facing, lift out backrests are also optional, as is a pedestal-mounted cocktail table.

Safety gear storage lockers are located under the moulded seats. Our test boat was also rigged with an underfloor kill tank/storage area with a macerator pump to take care of fish scales, etc.

Recessed coaming grab rails flank the forward bow seats, beneath snag-resistant, pop-up stainless steel cleats.

Not shown in the photos is an optional infill board and cushion that slots into place between the side seats to create a full-width sun pad. Removing the cushions converts this space into an elevated casting deck.

An extra cushioned seat is integrated into a large hatch at the front of the centre console unit. A handle down at cockpit floor level is used to lift the hinged (gas strut-supported) hatch vertically to reveal a large console change room/head compartment.

Our test boat was optioned with an electric toilet with overboard discharge, but you can also order a portable chemical toilet.

The head compartment also has extra side storage pockets and contains the ship's battery, electrical master switch. It also provides access to the electrics behind the helm for servicing and maintenance.

As with most US centre console craft, the helm console in the 222 Fisherman is wide enough for two people to shelter behind. It also has the tilt-adjust steering wheel and throttle controls offset to port to allow the crew to stand comfortably alongside the skipper.

The dash and fascia are blacked out to reduce sun glare, although there is still some reflection due to the glossy finish.

Our test boat was not fitted with a fish finder or GPS plotter, but there is loads of space on the fascia for two large displays, along with the switch panel and engine instrumentation.

Other features include a top-mount compass, cup holders, three vertical storage rod holders to each side of the console, a 12-volt power socket and a two-tiered, angled footrest with optional SeaDek foam rubber flooring.

Helm seating was upgraded in the test boat. Standard boats have a padded bench seat mounted above an alloy frame with space underneath for the included ice box/cooler. The framework was the same in our test boat, but a pair of more comfortable buckets chairs replaced the bench seat.

There's also a removable aft-facing rod rack.

Overhead, the optional alloy-framed fibreglass T-top provides excellent sun shelter to the helm area, and provides a base for mounting radio antennae, navigation and spreader lights, a vertical rod rack, stereo speakers, and more.

It also houses a radio box above the helm, and a second storage box accessed from the front of the console.

Moving aft, there is not a whole lot of fishing deck space behind the helm lean seat, but anglers can fish the full length of the boat down each side – and from up in the bow.

Fishing features include a superb oval-shaped 87L port-side live bait tank, an optional cutting board, a row of built-in stainless steel rod holders stretching across the transom, full cockpit perimeter coaming bolster padding, a minimum of 650mm of internal cockpit freeboard, 150mm wide side coamings, raw water deck wash, and a starboard side transom door.

There are also a cleverly designed retractable rear bench seats that fold out from the transom wall.

Wellcraft boats tested to date have been uniformly excellent on the water. Each has proven to be safe, stable and smooth riding. This latest 222 Fishermen is no exception.

For this review we were able to put the Wellcraft through its paces running out through the Gold Coast Seaway and offshore. During our run in and out of the entrance, the boat felt well balanced, safe and secure.

The hull responded nicely to the use of power trim, too. With some negative trim applied, the nose dropped down to smooth out the chop on the way out, with the fine bow entry shape cleaving through waves.

On our return, we trimmed the engine and bow up (positive trim) to set the Wellcraft up for the following sea run back into port. This allowed the hull to rise easily and safely out of wave troughs.

The handling and performance of the Wellcraft 222 was also boosted by having a pretty mighty engine on the transom. Mercury's new 250hp 4.6L naturally aspirated V8 engine is a powerful beast, providing heaps of low-down grunt and mid-range performance. Our test boat was quick from a standstill, and strong through the mid range.

Back in the smoother waters of the Gold Coast Broadwater we ran some performance tests on the Wellcraft/Mercury 250hp outboard combination and were able to achieve a top speed of 43 knots at 6000 rpm.

The test boat was most economical running at 4000rpm at a boat speed of 24.6 knots, burning 36.5L/h for a maximum range on the standard 390-litre fuel tank of 249.70nm.

The Wellcraft 222 Fisherman is a well-designed, nicely finished centre console craft with an excellent deep hull and strong performance from single extra longshaft outboards in the 200hp to 250hp power range.

For families, the Wellcraft 222 will prove to be a fun and functional day boat, via the inclusion of the head compartment along with plenty of seating and storage areas.

Anglers, on the other hand, will appreciate the high cockpit freeboard, the 360-degree fishability, the full perimeter coaming bolster padding, the large live bait tank, abundance of rod holders and racks, and more.

With the above attributes, combined with an easily managed, not-too-big, not-too-small hull size, we expect the Wellcraft 222 Fisherman to be a strong seller this summer.

Performance - Speed
3.7kt (6.8km/h) @ 1000rpm
4.6kt (8.5km/h) @ 1500rpm
5.6kt (10.4km/h) @ 2000rpm
8.1kt (15.0km/h) @ 2500rpm
11.5kt (21.3km/h) @ 3000rpm
18.1kt (33.5km/h) @ 3500rpm
24.6kt (45.5km/h) @ 4000rpm
28.3kt (52.4km/h) @ 4500rpm
34.0kt (62.9km/h) @ 5000rpm
39.9kt (73.4km/h) @ 5500rpm
43.0kt (79.5km/h) @ 6000rpm (WOT)

Performance – Economy
4.8L/h @ 1000rpm
7.9L/h @ 1500rpm
12.8L/h @ 2000rpm
17.0L/h @ 2500rpm
24.7L/h @ 3000rpm
29.2L/h @ 3500rpm
36.5L/h @ 4000rpm
46.7L/h @ 4500rpm
57.7L/h @ 5000rpm
74.5L/h @ 5500rpm
87.0L/h @ 6000rpm (WOT)

Maximum range on 95% of 390L fuel tank: 249.70nm @ 4000rpm

Model: Wellcraft 242 Fisherman
Price as tested: From $153,500 including a Mercury Verado 250hp extra-longshaft (25-inch) V8 four-stroke outboard with digital controls, an EZ Loader tandem-axle alloy trailer (to Australian specifications), 12 months registrations and an inshore safety gear pack for six adults. Notable options fitted include a two-tone black and white hull with Scarab graphics, bucket sports helm seats with aft facing rod rack, a powder-coated alloy framed Fibreglass T-Top with storage boxes and rocket launcher, deluxe Fusion stereo system with JL Audio speaker pack, T-Top spray shields, bow cushion seating package and forward facing back-rests, bow infill cushion and table, sub floor storage/kill tank with macerator, electric pump-out toilet with overboard discharge, electric anchor winch, rope and chain, removable cockpit matting (ash colour), SeaDek rubber matting to helm foot pads and behind gunnel rod rack, trim tabs, retractable boarding ladder, and more.
Priced from: $108,500 with single Mercury 175hp extra-longshaft (25-inch) V6 four-stroke outboard with hydraulic steering, an EZ Loader tandem-axle alloy trailer (to Australian specifications), 12 months registration and an inshore safety gear pack for six adults.

Length overall: 6.7m
Beam: 2.54m
Draft: 860mm
Deadrise: 20 degrees
Hull weight: 1326kg (est)
Weight on trailer (dry): 2100kg (est)
Maximum power: 250hp
Engine as tested: Mercury Verado 250hp V8 four-stroke outboard
Fuel: 390L
Live bait tank: 87L
Maximum persons: 8

Supplied by: HiOctane Marine