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WELLCRAFT 352 TOURNAMENT CC 941/751-7838 www.wellcraft.com
PERFORMANCE
Our only contender armed with E-Tecs hit 51 mph. Despite its disappointing top-end speed, the Wellcraft accelerated quickly, a two-stroke trait, which made the boat feel light and airy, and the sharp entry and aggressive flare held its own against a stiff bay chop. Thrown into a hard turn, this boat grips the water and banks like an Olympic skater. Economy came in at a comparatively low 0.9 mpg at a 4500-rpm, 40.4-mph cruise.
CONSTRUCTION
Both construction and finish work on the Wellcraft are good, with foam-cored stringers, backing plates behind the hardware, and abundant use of polyboard for drawers and hatches. There are gas-assist struts on large hatches and the fishboxes drain directly overboard. But some hatches aren't finished as well on the inside as one would expect from a boat in this class. Nevertheless, we particularly liked the anchor locker's design, which incorporated dedicated stowage for fenders and lines.
FISHING FEATURES
Wellcraft did the anglers right, with such touches as an optional leaning post ($5,235) that has tons of stowage compartments, a circular 40-gallon livewell with clear lids, a sturdy grabrail, two rodholders, and comfortable flip-back helm bolsters. There's a second livewell in the transom, next to a transom shower and slide-out fiberglass bucket inserts. Fishboxes are 6' long so they'll hold the biggest smoker kings in the ocean. There's also a bulk stowage area belowdecks for your rods.
HIGHS & LOWS
Relatively inexpensive. Love the anchor locker design. High gunwales provide a feeling of security. Dual livewells allow you to keep different species separate.
Relatively low speed and fuel economy. Hatch bottoms need to be cleaned up. Drains in some stowage compartments and hatch gutters aren't flush, so there will always be some water that stays.
STANDARDS
$172,395 (w/ triple 250-hp Evinrude E-Tec outboards) Integrated swim platform; 40-gal. livewell; transom livewell; cockpit coaming bolsters; 6'-long fishboxes; insulated drinkbox; T-top w/electronics box and PFD stowage; molded sink w/shower; battery charger and switches; compass; shorepower w/cord; hydraulic dual-ram steering w/ tilt wheel; trim tabs.
