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Random Quote: What's the first thing you should buy your boat? A for sale sign.
One of the two boats you mentioned certainly has a reputation. I don't know if I would want to spend all my time defending my purchase, and what about resale? I owned a Wellcraft 1988 V-20, ran it for two seasons, it was a good boat.
Trophy has a pretty good reputation up here in NJ (which is the boat wellv20 is talking about obviously). LOTS of them too. Resale is good up here as well.
Sea trial both boats and see which you prefer. It is obvious this guy needs to defend whatever purchase he makes, so to the OP, go look at both and buy which you like best, forgetting about having to "defend" it to an assclown!
I loved my 210 Wellcraft, and will likley buy a 23' or 25' Wellcraft next time I'm near the water... Trohpys have increased their quality over their past "Bayliner" reputation, but they aren't on par build/component quality with the mid-tier boats like Wellcraft.
I think the Bayliner/Trophy line is most appropriate for someone that isn't in a year-round boating climate, and they hold up well (You'll find plenty of nice Bayliners in the Northern USA). Many of the ones you see in South Florida don't seem to hold up as well.
I don't know a thing about pricing in Australia and my boating there has only been in South Australia and Tazmania, so I don't know much about the boating situation in your area. In the US, you can expect to pay a good bit less for the Trophy compared to a similar Wellcraft. That reduced price can help make up for the build/component quality differences, particularly if the boat won't get heavy use. If the prices were similar, I'd definitly go with the Wellcraft.
Mine held up flawlessly, for 3 years, under heavy use in Key West and it was never stored indoors and was in the water most of the time. I had a Yamaha HPDI on mine, and would gladly buy another. Given the reports on here, the Merc should hold up as well.
I am in the topend of Australia so our climate is similar to Miami. I generally clock about 80 to 100 hours in a year. The type of sea we experience ranges from glass to 5 foot steep chop where a fine bow (and plenty of trim) can help. We don't usually get a swell.
Our boating can range from a day trip totally 25 miles to a 2, 3 or 4 day trip sleeping on the boat travelling up to 270 miles. Fuel efficiency and capacity is a must as the area is remote.
Unfortunately it is unlikely I will be able to water test either boat. They both have to be ordered in from the USA then put on a truck for delivery. I may be able to travel to Sydney or Brisbane to test if I am lucky and they have one in stock.
I just sold my Trophy over the winter. I had it for nine years. I bought it new, and sold it for 9k less than I paid for it. Considering the depreciation hit when buying new, I'd call that a pretty good resale value. My biggest gripes were that the fishboxes would fill with rainwater, and some of teh caulking could have been done a little better.
Go for the Wellcraft, I have the 212 and a 34 on the way from them. In my 212 I have never felt unsafe, and I have been out in some really nasty conditions. Plus I boat in Fort Lauderdale (just north of Miami) and my boat still shines and looks like new.
Go Wellcraft! I just sold a 2005 WC 232 Fisherman and bought a 2008 WC Scarab 27 T... I repeatedly ran the 232 60 to 80 miles offshore and many of those days were less than pleasant... I loved everything about the Fisherman!
Had a 28 Coastal twin inboard that a friend rammed under a gas platform while I was releasing a kingfish. It bit through the rub rail and shaved a little gelcoat off the cap, but we escaped any serious damage and more importantly, any injury. I have a 27 Coastal now with twin 200 HPDI Yamahas and it is a rugged boat. I wish it carried a little more fuel, but it is easy to fish and about as soft a ride as you can get in a 27.
If you can get your hands on a March (i think,maybe Feb) issue of "Boating" they have a complete write up on the 2503 Trophy that was their "long term" test boat...they were VERY impressed by the rugged build (their words) and many positive features and performance over one year that they used it A LOT.........
I am concidering both these boats and would like to hear comments both negative and positive.
Conciderations like quality, reputation, ride, performance, hull design, etc.
I hate these X vs. Y threads because no boat or brand is perfect for everyone. Very few people will admit that they bought the wrong boat so these threads always deteriorate into owners trying to justify their purchase.
I don't have any firsthand info on the Wellcraft 252 but I am a Trophy owner and will comment on my boat according to your criteria.
Quality :
Pro - Trophy boats after 2000 are manufactured as good or better than any production fiberglass boat. There is no wood below the waterline, the transom uses Greenwood with a lifetime warranty, the thru hulls are all metal, the load-bearing hardware is backed and thru bolted, the hull is hand laid, the hull to cap joint is bolted, riveted, and glued, and the gelcoat is vinylester (no blisters). I watched a smaller Trophy WA bounce down a cement ramp when the owner didn't understand how a roller trailer worked, the fiberglass was scuffed but the hull didn't crush or crack. Trophy boats are heavier than their competition, a good thing when busting through waves or bouncing down a cement ramp.
Con - The caulking looks like it was done by a blind person. Unfortunately, this "fit and finish" issue lowers the boat's overall impression of quality. The water pumps are not top shelf and most Trophy owners end up replacing them after a couple of years. If your boat is kept outside, the fish boxes will fill with rainwater and never fully drain, they are useless for any kind of dry storage but gasket tape helps a lot. Trophy uses starboard trim instead of teak, some see that as a negative but for maintenance and durability, it's a non-issue for those that actually use their boats to fish.
Reputation:
Pro - Trophy owners love their boats and very few are for sale used. On this forum and the net in general, Trophy boats have VERY few problems reported. Trophy owners love their boats and either we're all delusional or they perform exactly as we expect.
Con - Trophy still suffers from a mid-80s Bayliner reputation. Take the Trophy stickers off the side and you'll be amazed at how many people compliment your boat.
Ride:
Pro - The 2000+ hull design is a good balance of head sea performance and drift stability. They do not pound if appropriate speed and trim are used for water conditions. They ride better than many production fiberglass boats, I regularly outrun "top tier" machines without losing any fillings.
Con - A 19-21 degree hull can't run with a 24 degree hull in a head sea but when drift stability is factored, there is no con.
Performance:
Pro: When the water is rough in my area, there are only a couple of brands that regularly fish - Parker, GW, and Trophy. My bilge stays dry as a bone even after a full day of offshore fishing. There are no handling quirks, they are stable on plane and on the drift.
Con - None, Trophy boats are as capable as any similar size/design production fiberglass boat in any fishing conditions. Fuel mileage is the same as any boat with 19-21 degrees deadrise.
Hull design:
Pro - Assuming you are talking about layout and usability vs. layup, Trophy boats are designed by people that know fishing. Everything from the height/length of the bow rails to the width/depth of the walkaround are made for fishing. The Pro package adds a lot of nice features for fishing.
Con - They do not come with enough rod holders in the gunnels.
Hope this helps!
__________________ 2004 Trophy 2902 WA with Merc 225 EFIs
Sucks gas and hauls ass!
One step ahead and you are a genius, two steps ahead and you are a misfit.
I understand why you object to boat ‘A’ v boat ‘B’ threads and appreciate your time in responding with your experience.
In my case it is unlikely that I will have the opportunity to test these boats as there are none in my state. Your input is valuable to me in that it shows in my mind that a decision to by a Trophy would not be a regrettable one.
I hope to visit the Trophy dealer today for some prices.
mboy - 2/23/2008 5:09 AM Trophy has a pretty good reputation up here in NJ (which is the boat wellv20 is talking about obviously). LOTS of them too. Resale is good up here as well. Sea trial both boats and see which you prefer. It is obvious this guy needs to defend whatever purchase he makes, so to the OP, go look at both and buy which you like best, forgetting about having to "defend" it to an assclown! Trophy makes decent, mid level boats these days.
I think wellv20's comment is right on target. I think Trophy's are a great boat for the money and wouldn't be the slightest bit hesitant if i was in the market and knew i would definately keep the boat for a long time. They are similar quality to Wellcraft and a lot less expensive. But I would only buy one if i was going to keep it for a long time. The wellcraft would be an easier sell after a few seasons. Below are2examples of new 2005 Trophysthat they are giving away at half price that they cant sell due to trophy's "reputation". They also had a month ago a 2005 25 cc with (i think) twin 150 optis that was also near half price.CotyMarine go so tired of defending Trophy's reputation to the consumer that they gave up the line instead. They have three locations in NJ and had a hard time moving all of their Trophy's. Trophy's reputation here is same as the rest of the countrys reputation on the ficht......it sucks!! Be careful who you call an assclown as that assclown might walk away from you newer but usedtrophy for sale to drive down the road to buy the other guys olderwellcraft for more money.
I agree with everything ubetrun said.The trophy 21 cc would be a perfect striper boat for my area (the 21 below even has a 200 Verado) andi would own one in a heart beat if i didnt have the sickness of needing a new boat every3-4 years.
No one is going to buy a boat that they dont like just because its popular and have a good resale butthere are more things to consider then just ride, style, fit and finish and the type of fishing you do. Name recognition plays an important role if you are on a budget!!
__________________ 2006 Skeeter ZX24 Bay
2006 Yamaha 300 HPDI
2010 Ford F-150 FX4 5.4
Team: EAT-SLEEP-FISH---~ <)))))<
Trying hard to become a 1%er www.ramseydoor.com www.raynoroverheaddoor.com
mboy - 2/23/2008 5:09 AM Trophy has a pretty good reputation up here in NJ (which is the boat wellv20 is talking about obviously). LOTS of them too. Resale is good up here as well. Sea trial both boats and see which you prefer. It is obvious this guy needs to defend whatever purchase he makes, so to the OP, go look at both and buy which you like best, forgetting about having to "defend" it to an assclown! Trophy makes decent, mid level boats these days.
I think wellv20's comment is right on target. I think Trophy's are a great boat for the money and wouldn't be the slightest bit hesitant if i was in the market and knew i would definately keep the boat for a long time. They are similar quality to Wellcraft and a lot less expensive. But I would only buy one if i was going to keep it for a long time. The wellcraft would be an easier sell after a few seasons. Below are2examples of new 2005 Trophysthat they are giving away at half price that they cant sell due to trophy's "reputation". They also had a month ago a 2005 25 cc with (i think) twin 150 optis that was also near half price.CotyMarine go so tired of defending Trophy's reputation to the consumer that they gave up the line instead. They have three locations in NJ and had a hard time moving all of their Trophy's. Trophy's reputation here is same as the rest of the countrys reputation on the ficht......it sucks!! Be careful who you call an assclown as that assclown might walk away from you newer but usedtrophy for sale to drive down the road to buy the other guys olderwellcraft for more money.
I agree with everything ubetrun said.The trophy 21 cc would be a perfect striper boat for my area (the 21 below even has a 200 Verado) andi would own one in a heart beat if i didnt have the sickness of needing a new boat every3-4 years.
__________________ 2006 Skeeter ZX24 Bay
2006 Yamaha 300 HPDI
2010 Ford F-150 FX4 5.4
Team: EAT-SLEEP-FISH---~ <)))))<
Trying hard to become a 1%er www.ramseydoor.com www.raynoroverheaddoor.com
__________________ 2006 Skeeter ZX24 Bay
2006 Yamaha 300 HPDI
2010 Ford F-150 FX4 5.4
Team: EAT-SLEEP-FISH---~ <)))))<
Trying hard to become a 1%er www.ramseydoor.com www.raynoroverheaddoor.com
I bought mine in 2005 as a 2004 leftover but I damn sure didn't get it for half price!
I agree that the best way to negate the resale/reputation concern is to keep the boat for more than a couple of years. I bought mine as the largest boat I was comfortable trailering and unless Trophy comes out with a 29' pilot house version, there is no reason for me to get rid of it.
__________________ 2004 Trophy 2902 WA with Merc 225 EFIs
Sucks gas and hauls ass!
One step ahead and you are a genius, two steps ahead and you are a misfit.
Have you looked at the Boston Whalers yet top end?
The only thing we found when we looked at trophy is it has no more fishing room then a 680 haines, and we were looking for a boat with abit more deck space. One thing to remember with the yank boats is they all weigh heaps, you will need a F250 or the like to drag her around.
What happend to the 800 Patriot you were looking at?
There a Wellcraft 252 thats been in town for a while now and they look nice, but as someone said earlier they only have a 19 deg. deadrise.
Another nice boat to look at is the Sea Swirls, theres a few of them getting around too.
One thing about Trophy in Australia, they don't have the bad reputation of yesteryear as they relatively new to our market. Therefore I can't think of a single reason why I shouldn't have it on my short list.
The Patriot 800 just didn't work out. I am realy after a centre console now and had a look at a damaged Prowler 800 in a local yard. I like the layout but the Trophy might be an easier boat to buy. I will see how things go once I hace talked to the dealer.
The Boston Whaler is just getting too far up there in price. If I had the money and the wife was in favour of spending it I would get an Outrage 270. But that then gets into another class of competition to look at like Scarab, Contender and so on.
If it was me i would go with the Wellcraft. I owned a 17' a few years ago and it was a great boat. I like the layout of the Wellcraft over the Trophy. And the fit and finish is better in my opinion.
The bottom line is you buy the best boat that you can afford. Dont worry about what everybody else says.
Wellcraft Fisherman 252 v Trophy 2503 
