Wellcraft boats

[fordmxracer]

I am about to finish a deployment in iraq and I am looking into buying a boat I can use for mostly for cruising and wakeboarding. I am mainly interested in 2 different models. 21' wellcraft excel and a 21' wellcraft eclipse. Both bowriders. Any reviews on these models between 1994-1998? Other then specific comments, anything in general I should be looking for.

Thanks Ryan

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Wellcraft boats

as with all boats that age, look for rot, soft spots in the deck, sound the transom with a rubber mallot. if looking at an I/O don't buy a V6 that has these exhaust manifolds, they are no longer made, and very expensive to convert.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Wellcraft boats

Tas,

What's that in front of the carb with 4 hoses connected to it? Is it a closed cooling system heat exchanger? If so, is this standard equip for the 4.3's.

On the exhaust manifolds, do these need replacing periodically? What does the one to buy look like?

Mark

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Wellcraft boats

Might want to post up in the Wellcraft boat forum down below for some answers.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Wellcraft boats

Mark that is the thermostat housing, standard. the exhaust manifolds in salt water how a life of 3-5 years, fresh water maybe a little longer. they are cast steel(iron), not rust proof. the exhaust and exiting cooling water exit thru these, there is about 1/4 wall between the exhaust, and water until the get to the mix point. this wall rusts out, and the engine sucks water back into the cylinder, causing major problems.


you have to convert to the typical straight manifold and riser/elbow which on some models is really hard, because the use 2 different Y pipes for the exhaust.

i learned the hard way.

 

[crb478]

Re: Wellcraft boats

I had a 1996 21 foot Wellcraft Excel with the 4.3 and it was a very nice boat. Initially the bow rise on it was a little excessive, but I fixed that with a set of smart tabs which made it ride great. It was also a little narrow for my liking, but I am 6'1 230lbs. My wife didn't mind the width of the boat, and the top of the windshield was right in our line of sight when seated. We solved that by sitting on a throw cushion which put us at a perfect heigth.
The boat would pull any skiers or wakeborders or tubes at more then reasonable speeds. It would also run just over 50 mph and didn't drink as much gas as some of my friends who had boats with V8's. We only got rid of it because my wife wanted to switch jobs and the boat would pay off her loans. That and the dog had trouble looking out of the boat and we didn't like her riding on the bow seats. For Skiing and cruising the lake I would like to have it back, for fishing I will keep my Sea Pro 180CC.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Wellcraft boats

I sorta figured you were.....speaking from experience. That's why I asked.....may be helpful to others.

I understand water in the engine. I bought a semi submerged '65 18' Starcraft Holiday with a 4 cyl 120 Merc years ago that had water in the cylinders. Initially I thought it was a great deal....$1600, till I started cleaning it up and realized the mess it was in. Took about 6 months and another comparable sum of money to put her in tip top shape. Can't believe it actually ran......yellow oil and all, which I learned about later as to what produced it. Ouch!

Mark

 

[bekosh]

Re: Wellcraft boats

I have a 91 Wellcraft 216XL Eclipse cuddy cabin. Good, solid boat with a very nice ride. Handles rough water really well for it's size. We ran from Port Washington, WI to Milwaukee, WI on Lake Michigan in 3-4+ foot waves. Maintained 30 mph without a problem.

They have pretty deep V, 20?, so more power is better. I'd say at least the 5.7l, but the 7.4l is KING! Makes it a real sleeper, not all that many 60+mph, 21ft boats out there.
I wouldn't worry much about the fuel consumption. There isn't that much of a difference with the bigger engines. We averaged 2.4mpg for the season and next year it should get better with a higher pitch prop.

When we were shopping around we found the Eclipse to have more room than other 21ft boats, especially in the cabin.

If you goto http://www.wellcraft.com/ and click the Owners link, you can get the product info guides all the way back to 1985.

 

[Hashi]

Re: Wellcraft boats

Hey Fordmxracer,

Thank you for your dedicated service abroad. I know its hard to be away from family and friends, and glad to hear that you'll be returning home soon hopefully for the holidays and for good. I think both models are good but as the other posts recommends, check it out thoroughly before you decide to buy.

Rich