Oppinins On New Wellcraft 180 Sportsman

Black Snow Slide

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 15, 2007
Messages
276
Hey Everyone.. (Happy fathers day to all the dads out there)

I am very close to pulling the triger on an 07 Wellcraft 180 sportsman with 115hp E-Tec Evenrude. It has been VERY hard finding good information on the Wellcraft, so I cant think of a better place to ask.

It will be my first real boat. (My other boat was a 12 ft alluminum boat W/ a 10hp Nissan) It will be used mostly in salt water of the inlets and bays of southern New England. Will be used for, cruzzing, water sports, Family fun, fishing with the guys, alone time, and such.

Quistions for you guys and girls; What is your oppinion of Wellcraft? I know it is small at 18ft but is it too small for bay and where waves can very quickly grow to 3'? I bought a Bow cover for the front and it snaps in real tight, How much will it help in cought out in ruff water?

Any other feedback would be awsome.. thanks everyone
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Oppinins On New Wellcraft 180 Sportsman

well craft builds a good boat, as long as you have a center support pole, under the bow cover, they work really well. take a safe boating class, have a vhf radio, and watch the weather. get to a safe harbor before it gets bad. the combination will make a good family boat. enjoy.
 

Tail_Gunner

Admiral
Joined
Jan 13, 2006
Messages
6,237
Re: Oppinins On New Wellcraft 180 Sportsman

I do not have a Sportsman but close to the same size and i could not be more pleased with the boat. It's quite fast handle's rough water very well and there cusotmer service is outstanding to say the least. :D I have no dealer here and they go out of there way to support me and or find someone who will.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Oppinins On New Wellcraft 180 Sportsman

i was in the boats shop picking up parts, there was an older wellcraft, about 23 ft. it was getting dressed with a new $20,000 200hp Etec. that's a pretty motor. i guess the owner like his wellcraft pretty well, to hang $20,000 on the stern.
 

mfg025

Cadet
Joined
Jul 15, 2006
Messages
7
Re: Oppinins On New Wellcraft 180 Sportsman

that looks like one awesome boat. on lake erie i'd have no problem taking it out in 3-4' ers. lake erie has closly spaced chop which is probably worse than the ocean.
 

Black Snow Slide

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 15, 2007
Messages
276
Re: Oppinins On New Wellcraft 180 Sportsman

**************** Update********************

Going to sighn papers this morning. Will be on line for about another hour so last chance please for feed back... Black Snow Slide
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Oppinins On New Wellcraft 180 Sportsman

your are now an official member of BOAT, Break Out Another Thousand.
 

studlymandingo

Commander
Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
2,716
Well.... Let's see the darned thing already!

Well.... Let's see the darned thing already!

It is common courtesy to post photos of your new boat!!!:)
 

Black Snow Slide

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 15, 2007
Messages
276
Re: Oppinins On New Wellcraft 180 Sportsman

****up date****

Photo will be on the way. Took her out for her maden voyage. I must say, I cant be happier. In the bay it has been windy for past 2 days so water is turned up about 1-3 feet. It was kind of ruff but at 3000 rpms is a little over 20mph and worked real well. Made our way to an area that didnt get turned up, and took it to 4000 rpms 41mph via gps and spedo on boat. It will run up to 5600rpm at wot but didnt take it there because of it being new. They say you can with the ETec but not guna take a chance. Anyway Very nice boat with solid performance.
 

Coors

Captain
Joined
Dec 8, 2006
Messages
3,367
Re: Oppinins On New Wellcraft 180 Sportsman

i was in the boats shop picking up parts, there was an older wellcraft, about 23 ft. it was getting dressed with a new $20,000 200hp Etec. that's a pretty motor. i guess the owner like his wellcraft pretty well, to hang $20,000 on the stern.

Lemme cogitate here; I could buy 10 i/o 5.7s for that........
 
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