Wellcraft Bowrider 175SS and 186S

'From past experiences, when you conduct a double-header the biggest boat usually wins out. So it is with the Wellcraft 175SS and 186S.'

Those who are considering entering the sportsboat market should consider a bowrider. Based on a formula of user-friendliness, high performance and sporty style, these are the kind of boats in which, with the turn of a key, you can leave your worries behind.

This is what I discovered on a perfect midweek morning in Sydney After a testing cross-town trek, I came away from this brace of Wellcraft bowriders feeling invigorated and reasoning that, well, there are definitely worse ways to spend a midweek morning in Sydney.

Fitted with MerCruiser petrol sterndrive powerplants, the Wellcraft 175SS and 186S offer a sense of union that you won't find on a city road at peak hour. Like apple pie and icecream, the boats and powerplants are simply made for each other. Made for going places...

Another union to speak of in summer is that of soft tar and barefeet. After dancing down the sticky carpark at St George Motorboat Club, the job of boat launching begins. We immerse the trailers behind the twin Landcruisers and the hulls roll off with just a gentle push.

A turn of the key and the V-six engines rumble into life. A gentle tug on the wheel and we're clear of the marina. I lean forward and adjust the stereo, but everything else aside from the trim is pretty much done for you.

Thus, the hours fly past on the Georges River. I scoot under bridges humming with car traffic, pass desirable waterfront estates, carve giant curtains of spray and play with the trim. This way, I manage to extract more than 80kmh, which sure beats crawling in city traffic.

DOUBLE THE FUN
Now to the job of boat testing. From past experiences, when you conduct a double-header the biggest boat usually wins out. So it is with the Wellcraft 175SS and 186S. For comfort and ride, the adage that nothing beats waterline length holds true.

That is not to say the smaller 17-footer didn't handle the tidal bores and choppy water during our test. In fact, the 175 has 21° of deadrise an extra degree over the 186. It's just that more the extra half-a-metre of waterline length and, to some degree, the extra weight makes for a better boat.

In any case, compared with some other bowrider builders, Wellcraft goes for a deeper veed hull. Its hulls are nice and fine and raked up front where you need it, yet they still fill out amidships for load-carrying ability and stability.

Both hulls on test were of this lineage. They were also made from hand-laid fibreglass, a foam-filled fibreglass encapsulated stringer system, and prominent strakes reinforced and filled with microballoon putty and biaxial fabric. Hence the five-year transferable structural warranty.

Quality extends to the tempered glass windscreen, premium marine vinyls, and stainless deck fittings. It is also suggested by the boat weights: 862kg for the 17-footer and 1225kg (dry) for the 18ft 6in model.

PROVEN FORMULA
The difference between layouts of the two boats is minimal. Each is built to a proven formula using a fully-moulded liner. The greater internal volume on the 186S 2.40m beam versus a 2.24m obviously creates more spacious seating with bigger storage compartments below.

Either way, as a boat to take families and friends on the water, both Wellcrafts rate highly. The seating, supported by padded backrests and a section of non-skid flooring underfoot, is generous and the freeboard sufficient to handle open water.

For comfort and security there are well-placed handholds, drinkholders, and storage recesses under the seats. One of these is intended for stowing the anchor and rode, while foredeck hardware includes a cleat and split navigation light.

However, both boats could do with some non-skid on their foredecks so you can step off with confidence when pulling into shore or a pontoon. Due to its greater volume, the 186S is the better one for traversing harbours or bays with a full passenger load.

Amidships on both boats are the helm and co-pilot seating. Without sounding like a broken record, the 186 is the better one. Its windscreen is high enough to protect you from wind while offering a clear view ahead. Whereas the top edge of the 175's screen comes in at eye level, necessitating either slouching or sitting bolt upright, the 186 provides full protection.

But for bigger switch panels (which are, incidentally, weather resistant and illuminated) and slightly different gauges, the helms of both boats are the same. They offer driver security in a firm, adjustable, hip-holding bucket seat, a sense of control from a small sports wheel and power steering, with a nice spread of gauges on a walnut or carbon dash.

A nice touch was the thought given to the throttle position, as it allows you to rest your elbow and work the throttle. Legroom under the moulded dash consoles is generous, while the central underfloor storage boxes for refreshments and the drinkholders are close at hand.

The dash on the co-pilot's side comes with a lockable glovebox and marine stereo as standard. Lined sidepockets run the full length of the cockpit which, aside from the aft storage space beneath the lounge, are capable of taking skis or wakeboards.

The transom of the boats was similar, with a full length, upright padded lounge and a sunpad whose lid is part of the engine box. Beneath the lounge is storage for the bimini top, skis and kneeboards, tow ropes, and buckets, etc.

Finally, there is a full-length moulded boarding platform, ski hook, retractable two-step ladder, and built-in engine vents. All of this comprises what's known as the SS series. However, there is an option the S-series.

The S-series is more seating-oriented. It has back-to-back seating at the helm and aft quarter seats that can be converted to make a sunlounge.

All up, you'll get space for eight bods aboard. I prefer the layout of the S-series to the SS.

ON THE GAS
Matched to MerCruiser power, the smaller 175 had the edge in terms of holeshot. It also had a smaller prop a 19-inch alloy model. It was a tad too small, allowing the engine rev limited cut in around 5000rpm and the engine perhaps rev as high as 5200rpm.

But with the standard carbed 190hp 4.3lt petrol MerCruiser engine, the 175 was still fun to drive. Top speed was around 76kmh at 4800rpm on the speedo, with 3100rpm producing a handy 40kmh for touring, and 3500rpm a fast cruise of 61kmh.

As mentioned, the windscreen was a tad low. Whereas my hat and sunnies stayed put on the 186, I lost them in the wake of the 175. Coming from the bigger boat, the 175 also seemed more trim sensitive, cavitated more in turns (due to the prop, no doubt) and was a little choppier on rough water.

The 186 was a different story. Standard with an 210hp EFI version of MerCruiser's 4.3lt V-six, the 186S managed to squeeze 93.2kmh (57.5mph) on the speedo, while 89kmh came with virtually level trim. My hat held on, the ride was smooth, dry and reassuring, and the boat was surprisingly quiet crossing messy water.

Somehow my notes don't cover top-end revs, though I do know the 23-inch prop was a tad too big. Fitted with a 21-inch, the 186 should exhibit better holeshot without sacrificing top speed.

As it was, it was set up to take a big passenger load on open water.

To cap it off, the pricing of these Wellcraft boats is attractive. The 175SS was selling for $36,990 as a package on Brooker trailer, while the 186S was $39,990. Considering my time aboard, the price difference represents the best $3000 you'll ever spend.

But then as quickly as we'd slotted the boats in the water it all came to an end. We pulled the Wellcraft rigs out with our Landcruisers and, worse luck, headed back to the real world of traffic snarls, three-point turns and busy pre-Christmas boatyards. Still, there's always next week...