From the classifieds: Wellcraft 302 Fisherman

For a while, the Wellcraft 302 Fisherman was the flagship in the range (it has since been usurped by a 352 Fisherman). A number of them were imported to Australia and sold to fishing enthusiasts who wanted big, brash, powerful boats that could charge out to the shelf, hunt sports fish all day and then head back home in comfort.

Look around the aft section of the Wellcraft 302 Fisherman, and everything about it is made to hunt, land and then stow big fish.

First of all, it’s long and beamy, measuring 9.2 metres from stern to bow and with a 2.9-metre beam that means you’re either going to have to find it a berth, store it on a hard stand trailer or dry-stack it when not in use.

The boat was built with a distinctly flared bow above a deep-vee hull with a soft entry to help it cut through swell comfortably. Power came from twin outboard engines, with some owners even tapping Mercury Racing to provide an extra dose of straight-line running performance.

Onboard, the Wellcraft 302 Fisherman is a boat that handles its fishing duties as easily as it can hosting cocktails ahead of a New Year’s Eve fireworks display – US boatmakers (and Wellcraft remains one despite it falling into the hands of French owner Beneteau Group) are known for the high level of fit and finish.

That runs to liberal use of quality stainless steel fittings, non-slip flooring, quality upholstery, stainless steel through-hull fittings, a decent audio system, and more. The boat even has a foam core, so even if it sinks it will still float level.

In comfort mode, the Wellcaft 308 Fisherman features a comfy U-shaped aft-facing bow lounge with a removable table, a forward-facing seat at the front of the dual captain's chair centre console, and drop-down rear bench seats on the transom.

Beneath the console, there’s a space large enough to act as a change room that includes a toilet.

But you don’t buy a boat like this for lounging around. This is a hardcore fishing boat, after all.

The business end is all down the rear of the Wellcraft 302 Fisherman, where there are fold-out coaming tackle drawers, a pair of sub-floor storage bins, and two large underfloor fish boxes with macerators and overboard drains.

There are rod racks under the gunnels, rocket launcher rod holders on the trailing edge of the T-top over the centre console, the option of a transom door, twin sinks for washing hands, an icebox, and a transom cutting board with tool holders.

So, what do you look for in a used Wellcraft 302 Fisherman? 

The first thing to look for is how much the previous owner has spent on it. The walk-up outboard engine set was a pair of 250hp units, but from 300hp up this boat will come alive. Befitting its premium status, some owners may also have fitted this boat with a pair of Mercury Racing 400Rs.

Look for owners spending money on choice options such as a side-mounted dive door or even the upgraded T-top – you can tell if this option is fitted as it also ups the audio system’s speaker count from four to six. The Scarab pack only adds some extra trim and a badge on the hull, so your mileage may vary on wanting it.

If you’re chasing game fish, a pair of outriggers will come in handy. If entertaining is your focus, make sure they have gone with the optional bow cushions.

These were expensive boats when new, costing anywhere from $200,000 to almost $400,000 when new, and they still hold their value – in part that’s because they are so well made.

Good luck finding one though, as their owner seem to like them.

Specifications
Model: Wellcraft 302 Fisherman
Length: 9.20m
Beam: 2.95m
Draft: 780mm
Deadrise: 22 degrees
Weight: 3345kg (est, hull only)
Weight on trailer: 4500kg (est, dry)
Engines: 2x250hp (min)/2x300hp (rec)/2x400hp (max), 25-inch extra-longshaft
Fuel: 1010L
Water: 49L
Live bait tanks: 2x87L
Passengers: 12