Considering a Wellcraft 2800 Martinique......

[huntingmatt418]

Hello, I’m new to boating and to the forum. My family and I are looking at buying our first cruiser. Anyone have any opinions on these boats? Or Wellcraft boats in general?

Thanks for your time

[tkeithlu]

Welcome to the forum.

You don't describe what uses you envision for your first boat. Could you tell about the rest of your vision?

[huntingmatt418]

Sorry, we are looking for a pleasure cruiser for long weekends on the lake.

[tkeithlu]

That Wellcraft is a gasoline high-speed pocket cruiser, which could be fun for days and overnights in "protected waters" with a small family. If you are thinking about staying on board longer, have a larger family, want more range, or want more seaworthiness, then consider small trawlers and diesel. They won't help you a bunch on the seaworthiness, but will have more space, greater economy per mile, and the safety/reliability of diesel.

As an image, it's the difference between taking the boat out to go swimming with the kids in the bay, with the head, shower, and minimal cooking facilities, and on the other hand, something that can take you places and be closer to a live-aboard, should you want that. People do the Eastern North America Loop in 28' boats, but they better be damned good friends and just two of them.

[tkeithlu]

For most of what are called lakes, the Wellcraft would do well, if your family fits. Maybe go with something that size, and see if you later want more boat, or include larger boats in your search now to see if they are the right compromise.

Just don't buy a "project" boat to save money. They don't save money and take time.

[huntingmatt418]

Thanks for the advice. I just wasn’t sure if Wellcraft made a sound boat.

[George Hulse]

Huntingmatt418,
I just sold my Wellcraft 2600 Martinique. I had used it on the Hudson River, Delaware River and middle and upper Chesapeake Bay for 6 years with my wife. I can say without reservation, it is a quality built boat. We hit some pretty rough water occasionally in the Chesapeake and I never felt unsafe in the boat. I could cruise at 28 mph at 3300 rpm all day long, at about 6.5 gph. Fast and economical. It's not a Sea Ray or Crownline. But, you're paying half the price. If you chose it, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Good Luck.

[Dooglas]

Originally Posted by huntingmatt418

Sorry, we are looking for a pleasure cruiser for long weekends on the lake.

Where is THE lake? A lot of difference between Lake Superior and the Lake of the Ozarks.

[huntingmatt418]

Thanks for all the reply’s gentlemen, I do appreciate it. We Will be primarily boating on lake Cumberland.

[redneckrob]

Originally Posted by George Hulse

Huntingmatt418,
I just sold my Wellcraft 2600 Martinique. I had used it on the Hudson River, Delaware River and middle and upper Chesapeake Bay for 6 years with my wife. I can say without reservation, it is a quality built boat. We hit some pretty rough water occasionally in the Chesapeake and I never felt unsafe in the boat. I could cruise at 28 mph at 3300 rpm all day long, at about 6.5 gph. Fast and economical. It's not a Sea Ray or Crownline. But, you're paying half the price. If you chose it, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Good Luck.

I just sold my 2000 Wellcraft 2400 Martinique and will second all of the above. We took it all around the Chesapeake and down to NC for the 10+ years we owned it and it was great for our family of 4 until the kids got to middle school age at which point it was a bit small, which was why we sold it. Solid boat all around, although at 20 years old all the engine accessories started failing despite my taking really goo care of it...but that would happen with any boat. My only disagreement with the post above is that I think it is of equivalent build quality as a Sea Ray, not familiar enough with Crownline to comment on that.