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Well, I'm still doing my research and trying to decide which boat I want to buy. So, thanks to all of you who've helped in my quest thus far.
I'm still focused on the Aquasport 215 DC. Now here's a new twist. Wellcraft makes the same boat but it's called the 220 Sportsman. I've been on both boats and they are identical in layout, fit and finish--at least to my eyes.
Now, for the kicker. The Wellcraft dealer tells me that Wellcraft is the TOP of the Genmar line, with HydraSport second and Aquasport as the "price-point" boat. I really like the dealer but he's definitely a salesman, so I am taking this with a huge rock of salt. Is this a sales ploy, or is it accurate?
Over the years it seems that both Wellcraft and Aquasport have a reputation as good quality boats--not the best, but a good, well-built boat. Am I wrong about this?
I've been told that these boats are made from the same molds at the same factory. The hull warranty is identical. From my sneakin' and peekin' on two of these boats I can't see any differences.
Does anyone know the REAL story here? Please enlighten me if you do.
__________________ "There's nothin' like fishin' to cure a case of the blues"
Same boat, same factory, same people building it, different sticker on the side. You are going to get alot of comments on the Wellcraft #1, Hydra #2 though.
I THINK that in the Genmar line, they go like this in terms of quality, if you asked their markeitng guys:
1. Wellcraft
2. Hydra Sport
3. Aquasport
4. Seaswirl
Mind you I think this is what Genmar says, not what possibly is...
There's a distinction between Hydra-Sports Vector and Lightning series. Personally, I have never been on a Vector, but from what I understand, they are the best of the Genmar saltwater fishing boat line up.
__________________ Grady White SeaFarer 226 w/Yamaha F225 - SOLD
As an owner of a seaswirl, and a former owner of an aquasport, I can tell you this. All of the above mentioned boats are good quality boats, However the "vector series" Hydrasports are in a class of their own, and none of the others we speak of can hold a candle to them. That being said the "lightning series" Hydrasports are about the same as the Aquasport, wellcraft(exact same thing with different sticker as afore mentioned ) and seaswirl as far as quality and bang for your buck go. I chose the 2301wa seaswirl because in my opinion it is the best looking , and riding 23' wa in that price range, I like the euro transom, and I was able to rig it with twins.
Scott,
The wellcraft is not a Hydra Sport. The lengths are different, the horsepower ratings, etc all are different. While I am not saying that Wellcrafts are not good boats they are not Hydra sport hulls by anyway.
__________________ "I'm suing the THT and the guy that made it."
wellcraft and vector in the same sentence......no way man....not even close...wellcraft is a 25 ft boat rated for only 300 hp... hmmmm... thats a quality boat there...go look at the small23 ft kencraft....rated at 500 hp....theres ya an overbuilt boat...
The Aquasport has been around a long time, and has consistently enjoyed a good reputation for seaworthyness and value.
Hydrosport, and Wellcraft, have recently made a big advertising and design push to improve their reputations, that suffered badly in the past from a quality standpoint. To me, the jury is still out as to whether they have improved all that much.
Seaswirl has and still comes from Oregon, and are layed out well, but also show their flaws when pushed hard over a period of time.
All 4 have great lines, all 4 are owned by Genmar.
nodoubt, the 24 vector is rated at 350hp...pretty much just like the 25 Wellcraft. The difference in length "measured" is two inches. The boats are about as close to being the same as Ford Taurus versus Mercury Sable. The total weight difference stated is less than 300 pounds which may or may not be the kevlar in the hydrasport.
Overall they are extremely similar with the wellcraft aimed more at the family crowd, the vector the fishing crowd.
Bullshipper regarding Hydrasport...I've got near 250 hours on mine at this point and aside of the mess that never should have happened at delivery I've had no hydrasport failures of any type. A trim tab is slowly fading but that's Lenco.. everything else by and large has been perfect. I see a lot of other people on here reporting consistent problems with boats like Edgewater that are sometimes considered higher end then the Vector line.
Bullshipper,
As far as reputation I don't think Hydra Sport has ever had any problems with that. While I will agree with you older Aqua Sports were tanks but so were 1980 and earlier Wellcrafts for the most part. Early Hydra's with Kevlar hulls had a few teething problems but their new boats are great from what I have experienced and fished on. Others that I have inspected at boat shows also seem to be top notch with many extra details.
__________________ "I'm suing the THT and the guy that made it."
Wellcraft versus Aquasport 
hmmmm... thats a quality boat there...go look at the small23 ft kencraft....rated at 500 hp....theres ya an overbuilt boat... 
