Instructions: Just Add Water
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday February 12, 2000
Wellcraft's sporty new bowriders promise to help sell the sizzle of recreational boating, writes DAVID LOCKWOOD.
BUILT on the tenet "the family that plays together stays together", the gregarious bowrider is a triumph in trailerboat design. With sporty performance levels, bow-to-stern seating and plenty of creature comforts, these are the perfect convenience craft for the time-poor in 2000.
Realising as much, American marine giant Wellcraft has made building ready-to-ride bowriders its forte. While Wellcraft makes pleasure craft of 12 metres or more, it's those consumer-orientated five- to six-metre bowriders that win the lion's share of international sales.
The company's 175SS and 186SS are examples of the American dream. The boats come with perky MerCruiser petrol engines and all the trimmings, and are shrink-wrapped in plastic.
The idea that to go boating, you just add fuel, safety gear and registrations, begged to be tested. Two shakes of the petrol pump, a skip down the boat ramp and I was on my way. The MerCruiser V6 engines rumbled into life. Thanks to power steering, I needed only to caress the wheel to affect direction.
Clear of the marina, I leaned forward and adjusted the stereo, played with the engine trim and slid my seat into position. Before I knew it, I was tracing the graceful bends of the Georges River and admiring the redbrick canal estate made famous by Sylvania Waters.
First and foremost, the 175SS and 186SS have a good deal of freeboard. This is important considering the bowrider is designed to carry passengers in its bow. Unlike some low-profile models, the Wellcrafts should be able to ship people, not water, across wave-washed harbours.
The ride of both boats is smooth due to their deep-V shape. Fashioned from hand-laid fibreglass, with a foam-filled fibreglass stringer system, the hulls are backed by a five-year, transferable structural warranty. Quality extends to the tempered glass windscreen, premium marine vinyl upholstery and stainless deck fittings.
Though each model is built to a similar formula using a fully moulded liner, there is a significant difference between the two models. The 186SS has 16 centimetres of additional beam and a extra metre of waterline length. More volume means more space, bigger storage and better stability. It's the pick.
Handrails, drink holders and storage recesses are liberally scattered throughout both boats and air-conditioning is standard. Storage recesses in the bow of each can stow an anchor and rope, though not as well as a boat with a dedicated locker. Also, both models lack a non-skid pattern on their foredecks so that you can step off with confidence.
Further, during my test-run I discovered the leading edge of the windscreen on the 175SS was at eye level. I had to slouch or sit bolt upright to see where I was going. The helm on the 186SS was better set up. It offered a clear view, a nice spread of gauges on a chic dash, plenty of leg room and storage for refreshments.
The transoms of both boats have full-length, upright padded lounges, and sun pads with storage for the bimini tops, tow ropes, skis or wakeboards. Both models have industry-standard moulded swim platforms with folding ladders.
Matched to a 4.3-litre, 190hp MerCruiser motor, the smaller 175SS had the edge in terms of hole-shot; top speed was about 75km/h. But the 186SS was a better boat to drive: not so chatty, better vision and more seaworthy.
Standard with a 4.3-litre, 210hp EFI petrol MerCruiser motor, the 186SS skipped along to 92km/h. And thanks to its functional windscreen, my hat stayed in place and the eyes didn't feel like the Archibald Fountain.
In the world of diminishing leisure time, the ready-to-ride approach makes sense. With these bowriders, Wellcraft effectively reduces the doubt in decision-making and helps sell the sizzle of recreational boating.
You don't have to be a prophet to see the day when such boats are sold over the Net and delivered to your backyard. Meantime, boat dealers have the 175SS for $36,990 and the 186SS for about $41,000. The extra $4,000 for the latter is money well spent. Details: Andrew Short Marine, 96 Taren Point Road, Taren Point, 9524 2699.
© 2000 Sydney Morning Herald