Wellcraft excel/eclipse?

[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. I am new to buying boats other then for fishing so any information would be helpful.

Thanks Ryan
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[MikDee]

Re: Wellcraft excel/eclipse?

Well, Your choice of boats is right on. Wellcraft is known for building good boats. These are nice boats from what I've seen. They are wide, deep, roomy, sleek, & well appointed. All you need to do is find one in good shape. Usually they are hard to find, when I was looking for a boat, I couldn't find one, or they were kind of expensive.

 

[DaveM]

Re: Wellcraft excel/eclipse?

I have been generally happy with my 1994 Excel 20SL (sport cuddy version). I have the 4.3L 2bbl, which might be a bit small for a 21 footer. It sould be fine for wakeboarding or tubing. I personally would not water ski behind a 21 due to the large wake, but then I am picky that way.

I recommend that you get a survey done if you are new to boating. It will be money well spent. What engine are you looking at? You might find that Volvo parts and service are a bit more scarce. Service, like impeller replacement is more complicated on the older Merc's.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[fordmxracer]

Re: Wellcraft excel/eclipse?

See the information about penta motors i had no idea. I am looking for 200+hp, v8. I want something that i can wakeboard easily behind. Closest thing to compare to a mastercraft without the 60,000$ price tag and internal ballast.

 

[DaveM]

Re: Wellcraft excel/eclipse?

For some reason I thought you were looking at a 4.3L power plant. I must be getting my threads confused. Any who, you will have no issues with a V8. My 20 footer makes a pretty nice wakeboard wake I am told, but I don't know what the wake looks like behind one of th 21' boats you are looking at. I am partial to slalom skiing, so I just pull others.

You should be able to do some pretty decent wakeboarding behind any stern drive without spending the $$$ for a Mastercraft. You can also add after market sacks for more ballast and after market tower. There are plenty of places to spend your cash.

For the service question, your area may be different. I have to search around for VP parts and service while Merc. dealers are everywhere.

 

[bekosh]

Re: Wellcraft excel/eclipse?

I answered in your other thread. Cliff note version.
Good boat. Me like.

IMO skip the water ballast and get the big block. 300 hp & +240lb of weight in the back of the boat vs the small block. Why lug around extra weight that doesn't give you anything?

When it comes to Merc vs Volvo. I agree with Dave, check what the shops in your area service. My area is almost entirely Merc. Nearest Volvo dealer/shop is nearly 30 miles away.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Wellcraft excel/eclipse?

Hey bekosh, I've always liked your boat! I used to like the Wellcraft Nova's, till I saw the Eclipse. I have been a fan of the Wellcraft Eclipse ever since. I saw my first one in my local marina yrs ago. I Thought it was a "Just Right" kinda boat! But the guy never offered it for sale, he had a small block, but with a big block it would be my dream boat.

 

[dbaggette]

Re: Wellcraft excel/eclipse?

I have a 1990 eclipse 215 with the 5.7L. Great boat. You won't be dissapointed - even though the boat is 18 years old, it has really held up well. The lines look great, better than many boats half its age.

 

[bekosh]

Re: Wellcraft excel/eclipse?

Hey bekosh, I've always liked your boat! I used to like the Wellcraft Nova's, till I saw the Eclipse. I have been a fan of the Wellcraft Eclipse ever since. I saw my first one in my local marina yrs ago. I Thought it was a "Just Right" kinda boat! But the guy never offered it for sale, he had a small block, but with a big block it would be my dream boat.

Thanks!
You're right, when we found the Eclipse last spring she was "Just Right". Other boats we looked at were, to big to tow, to small in the cabin, to expensive to buy or not in very good condition. The Eclipse had a roomy cabin, was light enough to tow, short enough to fit in my barn, big enough to handle big water, the price was right and she's in really nice condition. The big block was icing on the cake.

I'm still a fan of the Nova & Scarab's. They would top my list if I was looking to move up. But for that I would need a bigger truck, bigger barn & a bigger bank account.

 

[fordmxracer]

Re: Wellcraft excel/eclipse?

1998 Excel 21 SSX Excel 5.7 L MerCruiser V8 with 40 hrs for $12,000 and looks brand new both in and out! Sound like a good deal?

 

[96 Wellcraft]

Re: Wellcraft excel/eclipse?

I bought a used 96 21' excel bowrider with the 190hp 4.3 this summer. We used it about 10 times before the drought used up our lakes. I was extremely happy as a first time boat owner with this boat. At one point this summer we had 8 people onboard and one tubing behind. Our boat had plenty of power and room. I proved how tough it is by running it aground 5 times. 2 x rock, 1 x sand, 2 by mud. This is a very heavy boat, it rides well on a very choppy lake although it seems to plow thru the waves vs cutting thru. Maybe this is why it throws the funkiest looking wake I've ever seen. We got ours with trailer for $7200 and then had a custom bimini an cover made for $750. Very happy, now just looking for water to float in?

 

[Scarab Excell]

Re: Wellcraft excel/eclipse?

I love mine and it is a 1989 model