Wellcraft 242 Fisherman Review

OVERVIEW
Wellcraft is a leading US manufacturer of fibreglass sportsboats and fishing centre consoles. Built in Cadillac, Michigan by Rec Boat Holdings - alongside sister brands Four Winns, Glastron and Scarab - Wellcraft and its sibling brands now fall under the wing of giant French boatbuilder, the Beneteau Group.

Under French ownership, the Wellcraft boat range has been refined and updated. Where once there were several dozen models, there are now less than 10 boats - and all but one are centre consoles.

Two of the centre consoles are bay and flats inshore fishing boats, the rest are designed for a mix of family day cruising and offshore sportsfishing. That brings us to the Wellcraft Fisherman range, which includes the 182, 202, 222, 242, 262 and the 302.

We reviewed the high-performance 302 flagship model with dual Mercury 400R outboards on the transom. For this test we have one of the mid-sized models - the trailerable 242 Fisherman centre console rigged with a pair of Mercury's 200hp in-line four-cylinder, super-charged Verado four-stroke outboards.

Gold Coast Wellcraft dealer, HiOctane Marine has Wellcraft 242 Fisherman packages starting at just $118,900. This price does not include a trailer as many buyers keep their boats on the water. However, for an additional $10k you can order an Australian specification tri-axle alloy trailer rated to 3500kg - and fitted with a full electric hydraulic break-away braking system.

The package price does include a single ultra-longshaft (30") Mercury Verado 250hp super-charged six cylinder four-stroke outboard, along with hydraulic steering, digital instrumentation, built-in trim tabs, two-person width centre console with lean-seat and overhead T-Top hardtop - as well as bow and stern seating areas, two live bait tanks, ample rod holders, rod racks and storage areas, all-fibreglass construction with foam flotation, and more.

A single 250hp Mercury outboard is the entry or base power option for the 242 Fisherman, yet the boat/engine combination does not lack for performance. Figures supplied by Wellcraft indicate that the single engine package can run to a top speed of 38-39 knots.

Near-40 knot performance should be ample for most fishing applications, but is the single engine the best option for fishing wide offshore? As the 242 Fisherman is readily available with twins, we would advocate for a pair of engines for the peace of mind and knowing you can get yourself home in the event of an engine issue occurring when you're 30 miles out to sea.

If you're looking at a dual engine installation, you can choose from dual extra-longshaft (25") 150hp Mercury EFI four-stroke outboards - or upgrade to twin Mercury 200hp super-charged four-stroke Verados - as fitted to our test boat.

In addition to swinging maximum power, our test rig was amped up with heaps of hot options - including a Simrad NSS12 EVO3 fish finder/GPS and SonicHub with two speakers and 1kw transducer, Simrad VHF, two-tone paint, electric anchor winch, rope and chain, removable sea grass mats in Dune colour, removable forward facing bow back-rest, built in cooler with cushion, bow infill cushion and table, white powder-coating to framework, electric pump-out toilet (instead of the standard porta-pottie) with overboard discharge, cockpit sink with freshwater tap (instead of second bait tank), transom shower, removable cutting board, boarding ladder, console sports seats with cooler and more.

The options lift the price to $169k sans-trailer - but that's still good value for a fully fitted family day cruiser and offshore sportsfisher.

The Wellcraft 242 Fisherman is a big, open centre console boat with a moulded, horse-shoe shaped bow seating area to cater for family boating, along with an interior design and features to appeal to offshore anglers.

The bow seating area can be configured into several different seating patterns and layouts. Drop the optional seat back-rests into position and you have two forward facing chaise style seats. Remove them and you have two long padded bench seats. Fit the optional infill board and cushion and you create a full-size sun lounge.

There is also an option for a pedestal cocktail table to slot into the floor between the seat mouldings to create a dinette seating area.

Beneath the side seat mouldings there are two long storage lockers for safety gear and a third locker or bin up against the forward bulkhead which doubles as an icebox.

There's also a large, sub-floor locker for stowing the optional table and for things like buckets, fenders, deck lines, etc.

Further forward there is a hatch on the port side of the foredeck which opens to reveal a sizeable anchor locker - although the anchor is retained on the bowsprit and lowered using the optional electric anchor winch.

Surrounding the bow seating area are hard wearing but comfortable padded bolster back-rests, along with a recessed coaming hand rail on each side.

Aft of the bow seating area, in front of the console is a small bench seat, behind which is a cavernous head compartment/changing room. The whole front section of the console (including the small seat) lifts out vertically on hinges to reveal the toilet/change room area. For family boating situations this is a great feature, although it is open to the bow area and therefore lacks some privacy.

In the test rig the change-room/compartment was fitted with an optional electric, pump-out toilet - in place of the included chemical porta-pottie.

Also contained within the change room area is the ship's electrical master switch and fuse box, etc.

HELM AND CONSOLE
The console unit is a standard two-person width fibreglass module with a blacked-out anti-glare dash and fascia, a port side offset tilt-steering wheel and binnacle throttle mounting set-up.

The console also has a built-in vertical rod rack for three rods on each side, cup holders, a tiered foot-rest for the skipper and co-pilot, short safety glass windscreen, and heavy duty powder-coated alloy frame work supporting the included overhead T-Top.

The fascia is nicely laid out with ample space for engine instruments, switching, and flush-fitted electronics displays.

A Ritchie compass sits atop the glossy black dash, a comfortable viewing distance away from the skipper, whether he or she is standing or seated at the helm.

An alloy-framed two-person width lean-seat comes standard with the 242 Fisherman package, along with a removable cooler/icebox. However, the test rig was upgraded with a pair of more comfortable bucket helm chairs on fore and aft sliding bases.

For the crew, there is an additional bench seat in the stern which folds out from the transom wall - behind which there is access to the plumbing and steering gear.

Other features of note hereabouts includes spreader lights and stereo speakers on the underside of the T-Top and a rocket-launcher rod rack.

COCKPIT AND FISHING FEATURES
For anglers, there is a lot to like in the Fisherman 242. The cockpit, aft of the helm chairs, is not overly large, but there is ample fishing space along the sides of the boat and plenty of freeboard so you can lean up against the padded coamings with some security.

There are several well placed stainless steel coaming rod holders as well as horizontal and vertical rod storage racks - across the transom, under the gunnels, on the trailing edge of the T-Top, and built into the console itself.

At the transom, there's an 87lt oval-shaped live bait tank on the port side with a clear viewing lid, a light, timer and a blue-coat interior finish.

The standard boat comes with a second, smaller live bait tank over to starboard. In the test boat this was converted into a sink with an optional freshwater tap/faucet.

Other features include transom corner drains for the self-bailing cockpit, raw-water wash down, a smattering of cup/drink holders, optional non-slip floor matting, and an optional bait cutting board.

ON THE WATER
The Wellcraft 242 Fisherman is a big trailerboat and it handles itself well in choppy offshore seas. The fine entry and 20-degree transom vee angle provides a good mix of ride comfort and stability, allowing the skipper and crew to feel comfortable, safe and secure - even in the rough seas we encountered during our boat test.

A run-out tide against a 20 knot south-easterly breeze created pretty horrible seas just outside the Gold Coast Seaway...

Running the Wellcraft out through the entrance proved tricky as the waves were standing up menacingly and coming from every which way. To its credit, however, the Wellcraft subdued the conditions very well, although there was plenty of water thrown about.

For regular windy and/or rough water work we'd recommend fitting some optional clear spray covers outside the console to provide additional crew protection.

With twin 200hp outboards on the transom, the Wellcraft never felt short on grunt, so we were able to power up the face of the taller waves on the run out - and hold the boat on the backs of the big waves as we came back in through the seaway.

Throughout, the Wellcraft felt safe, solid, and well-balanced - although the included trim tabs did help to keep the bow down when we were confronted with some of the taller waves within the entrance to the Seaway.

The dual 200hp Mercury Verado in-line four-cylinder, four-stroke outboards performed strongly and smoothly, pushing the test rig to a top speed of 49.5 knots. Best cruise was at 3500rpm, at which point the boat runs at 25.2 knots for a combined fuel burn of 42lt/hr.

We have tested a number of centre console day-cruiser fishing boats in recent times so there is quite a choice of models now available. You can now add the Wellcraft 242 Fisherman to the shopping list. Filled with features and equipment, yet sharply priced, the Wellcraft 242 Fisherman is an eye-catching rig with strong offshore performance for serious fishing and comforts for the clan.

About the only thing we'd consider changing on the test rig would be to swap out the dual 200hp Verados for a pair of Mercury's EFI 150hp four-strokes. This would save a few bob, while still maintaining excellent performance and the dual engine reliability for heading out wide.

PERFORMANCE - SPEED
7.8kts (14.4km/h) @ 2000rpm
8.7kts (16.1km/h) @ 2500rpm
19.1kts (35.3km/h) @ 3000rpm
25.2kt (46.6km/h) @ 3500rpm
31.3kt (57.9km/h) @ 4000rpm
35.6kts (65.9km/h) @ 4500rpm
40.0kts (74.0km/h) @ 5000rpm
43.4kts (80.3km/h) @ 5500rpm
46.9kts (86.8km/h) @ 6000rpm
49.5kts (91.6km/h) @ 6500rpm (WOT

PERFORMANCE - ECONOMY (BOTH ENGINES)
15.0 l/ph @ 2000rpm
23.0 l/ph @ 2500rpm
34.0 l/ph @ 3000rpm
42.0 l/ph @ 3500rpm
53.0 l/ph @ 4000rpm
64.0 l/ph @ 4500rpm
83.0 l/ph @ 5000rpm
106.0 l/ph @ 5500rpm
121.0 l/ph @ 6000rpm
140.0 l/ph @ 6500rpm (WOT)
MAXIMUM RANGE ON 95 PER CENT OF 598L FUEL TANK: 340.86nm @ 3500rpm

Specifications: Wellcraft 242 Fisherman
Price: $169,000 including dual Mercury Verado 200hp extra-longshaft (25") super-charged in-line four cylinder four-stroke outboards with hydraulic tilt steering upgrade, digital controls, 12 months registration and an offshore safety gear pack. Notable options fitted include a Simrad NSS12 EVO3 fish finder/GPS and SonicHub with two speakers and 1kw transducer, Simrad VHF, two-tone paint, electric anchor winch, rope and chain, removable sea grass mats in Dune colour, removable forward facing bow back-rest, built in cooler with cushion, bow infill cushion and table, white powder-coating to framework, electric pump-out toilet with overboard discharge, cockpit sink with freshwater faucet, transom shower, removable cutting board, boarding ladder, console sports seats with cooler and more. Add $10,000 for an Australian specification 3,500kg rated tri-axle trailer.

Priced from: $118,900 with single Mercury Verado 250hp ultra-longshaft (30") super-charged four-stroke outboard with hydraulic steering, digital controls, fibreglass T-Top hardtop, 12 months registration and an offshore safety gear pack for six adults.

Length overall: 7.42m
Beam: 2.54m
Draft: 860mm
Deadrise: 20 degrees
Hull weight: Approx: 1840kg
Weight on trailer (dry): Approx: 3200kg
Maximum power: 2 x 200hp (dual 25" extra-longshaft)
Engines as tested: Dual Mercury Verado 200hp four-stroke outboards
Fuel: 598lt
Freshwater: 45lt
Live bait tank: 87lt
Maximum persons: 10

Supplied by:
HiOctane Marine
Shop 1A, Runaway Bay Marina
247 Bayview Street
Runaway Bay, QLD, 4216