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Random Quote: Capt. of the Exxon-Valdez to first mate,"NOOOO, I said Chevis on the rocks!"
I am just entering the market for a centerconsole, and came across a New 2004 Wellcraft 252 Fisherman w/twin yamaha 115 hp 4 strokes for ~$50k. Seems like a pretty good deal, however I am concerened that it might be "underpowered". Any thoughts??? or better yet, does anyone have a similar set-up that could offer some firsthand experience?
Stats on the 252 are very similar to my 24 HS. In fact there is speculation that it is the same mold. Anyway no way is that enough power. Min 250. I think the boat would due best with 150's. 4 Strokes if you must but give me the V6 punch of the 2 strokes w/ the heavier hulls. IMHO
As noted, it is a good boat, but is underpowered with those 115's. It may be a classic example of a boat the dealer used as a teaser to get people in the door and then up-sell them on bigger HP packages.
__________________ Move along, nothing to see here.
Thanks for the feedback. Is it possible to repower the boat (say swap the 115's w/150's)? If so, is it a huge $$ jump?
Do you have any recommendations for a CConsole b/t 24-30 ft. that can manage the choppy Buzzards Bay waters...and the occasional off-shore (I am in N.Falmouth)? I'd like to stay under $75k, and I am new at this, so any advice is appreciated!
my best friend has this boat and it is a great boat - he has yam F150's on it - and is powered just right - 115's are way too little power...great boat - no problems, cracks or fractures after 175 hours....
Usually its a bait and switch thing. The 115 are not even listed as an option on the website. Max horsepower for the 252 is 450. General rule is 85% for best performance resale etc. Not sure of your waters but choppy/offshore means deep vee. Look @ boats with 21 degree deadrise or greater. Size wise that's a popular range with lots of options. Are family features important, head, seating etc. Lots o great boats come to mind. Edgewater, Pursuit. Grady,Mckee Craft, Sailfish. Almost if not more important go with reputable dealer if you can not decide between two models.
I am not tied to New, in fact considering this will be my first boat, I'd prefer used (I wouldn't forgive myself if I nicked up a new hull on my maiden voyage!)...I have started w/new b/c I don't know what to watch out for with used.
As far as use, I would say 40% fishing, 60% family. Seating and Head are must haves.
I would expect to hold onto the boat for 3 years, at which point I should have the navigation skills to move out of a Center Console to a walk-around and/or small cabin (my dream is a 32' Cabo...but baby steps first!!!)
Wow dude. Well I wish I had that much money to spend. I too am new to boating but if you want to take small steps then go out and find something used and a bit older that will cost you 10G or less. Heck you could even find something small for 5G or less. I got my 15' bow rider for 2,500. Yes it is a no name boat and needs some work and is fro m1982 but it is what fit my needs and my budget.
But you could start real small and hold onto you money to develop your skills. As you do that you will get closer to the boating world and to seeing other boats out there. As you go you will learn more and become more familiar with makes and models and then in a year or two you can drop large dollars on a new boat.
I am not tied to New, in fact considering this will be my first boat, I'd prefer used (I wouldn't forgive myself if I nicked up a new hull on my maiden voyage!)...I have started w/new b/c I don't know what to watch out for with used.
As far as use, I would say 40% fishing, 60% family. Seating and Head are must haves.
I would expect to hold onto the boat for 3 years, at which point I should have the navigation skills to move out of a Center Console to a walk-around and/or small cabin (my dream is a 32' Cabo...but baby steps first!!!)
CC may not be the best route. Based on where you are (I am in the NE as well) look at some W/A's to start. Take a hard look at a Pursuit 24 W/A. Great boat, great ride, and will hold its re-sale over the 3 years you are talking about.
I think buying used is a better route - you avoid the up-front depreciation hit, new boats are sometimes worse than used boats as far as problems, and the first nick is done for you.
Whatever you decide, have the boat surveyed and the engines checked - this is a MUST. If you buy new, I would still have it surveyed.
__________________ Move along, nothing to see here.
I believe a close friend has the same boat with twin 175 EFI's. I think they use to call it a 23 and changed the name a few years back. The boat tops out in the lower 50's and is a great boat for inshore uses. Offshore however is another story due to the lack of deadrise. Also look out for weak spots that develop on the hatch covers of the rear deck fish boxes. Both of his are water saturated due to cracking.
Are the W/A's easy enough to handle alone...for a new guy?
Logic tells me that the CC is best so I can reach out and just grab whatever it is that I am approaching.
Thanks again for taking the time to educate me, I am beginning to think I can have an intelligent conversation about this with a dealer/seller !
The 252 is a completely new design than the older 230/250 Fisherman models. It does well in a chop, but doesn't like the swells as much due to it's inability to span the waves (lack of length). I think the twin 115s would be a minimum for power. Twin 150s are the perfect match for that boat and will push you to 50 mph lightly loaded. A single 250 will bring about 46-47 lightly loaded. I think the twin 115s would give you a low 40 mph top end, so it might not be enough power.
Thanks for your advice. I'll walk on this one and focus my search on W/A's, the Pursuit's look great.
My buddy has ProLine, it's pretty similar to the Pursuits I have been looking at, nice boat. Problem is it carries a 5'6" Blonde haired anchor that makes it difficult (near impossible) to get out of the slip....so now I must buy!
Bldstud, take a McKee 22 or 24 for a ride. The 24 would sell for under 70k with twin 150's on it and handle the rough stuff as well if not better than most of the boats you've seen mentioned here. You have two local dealers, Millway Marina in Barnstable (Dana) and Ocean House in Rhode Island (Rob). I believe Rob has a few 24's with single 250 four strokes, and Dana has a few 24's with twin 150's.
Take the time to take the 22/24 for a ride, you may be pleasantly surprised.
Sundance is right, I have the 250 Fisherman. I love the boat... excellent cabin space for a center console
I have a Yama HPDI 250 and at half fuel (75 gallons) we hit 47 on the gps (mph) swingin a 19P stainless 3 blade prop. I feel the 19P is a good all purpose prop for that set up.
I like the amount of space, the deck layout works great for us, can comfortably fish 4-6 folks on it, and there's plenty of storage for everyones stuff.
My boy just loves the cabin, and we do overnighter's on the local lake in it, but for one adult and a child is about all you'd want to do on a 250. Unfortunately the great idea of a console cabin didnt carry over to the new 252, instead you get the front raised seating U shape type up in the bow.
A used Well 250 Fish would be a good boat, but they're pretty heavy, my rig weights in wet at 7,300 lbs., so make sure ya got tow vehicle.
Another cabin CC type is Century, might be worth a look for you. And you still get the 360 degree fishability.
Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 
