For anglers, tackle storage cupboards fold out from
the side panels amidships, each with removable
plastic trays for terminal tackle.
ANTI-GLARE HELM STATION
In keeping with current trends, the 302 Fisherman has
a blacked-out fascia and dash at the helm to cut down
on glare and reflection from the sun.
On the fascia itself there is provision for all the
engine gauges and instruments you are likely to need,
as well as a large flush-fitted electronics display. Our
test boat was optioned with a massive 56cm Garmin
GPSMAP 8422 display, combining GPS/fishfinder and
radar.
The tilt-adjust steering wheel and binnacle throttles
are well placed, while the three-tier footrest and
plush, comfortable bucket helm chairs ensure the boat
is nice to drive while seated. The bucket chairs also
have flip-up front bolsters to boost standing space
between the chairs and the helm console for when you
want to stand and drive.
Visibility from the helm is pretty good in all
directions, while the forward safety-glass windscreen
and overhead hardtop provides some shelter from the
sun and rain.
The hardtop is of sturdy fibreglass construction with
a powder-coated alloy frame which has 10 vertical
rodholders mounted aft. This rocket-launcher-style
rack is ideal for stowing rods while travelling to the
fishing grounds, and for keeping unused outfits clear
of the working cockpit area.
As you would expect, the hardtop is also used as the
mounting base for the optional Taco outriggers, radar
dome and navigation lights. There’s also a radio box,
stereo speakers and fore- and aft-facing spreader
lights on the underside of the hardtop.
HELM MODULE / FOOD AREA
The two deluxe bucket helm chairs are mounted
above a multi-function storage unit/module, which
incorporates a locker under the seats for the batteries
and switching.
There’s also an aft-facing food/drink preparation
centre with dual gravity-drained sinks and a single
freshwater faucet. In place of the port-side sink you
can option the boat with an electric grill, although that
wasn’t fitted to the test rig.
Beneath the sink area is an icebox/cooler which
slides out from the compartment on a tray for easy
access. I initially thought the sink area could be used
for bait rigging, but there is a bait bin in the centre of
the transom for this purpose, complete with a cutting
board, overboard drain and macerator pump.
COCKPIT & FISHING FEATURES
With around one-metre of space aft of the helm seat
module, the self-draining cockpit is not overly large.
However, this would only be relevant if you wanted to
fit a gamechair as it’s possible to fight fish along both
sides of the boat, and from the bow.
There is ample freeboard inside the boat, with
690mm between the floor and coaming top in the
cockpit, rising to a maximum of 835mm amidships.
For added comfort and security at sea, the coamings
are padded from the bow to the stern.
The transom layout is practical and efficient for
game fishing. The rear bench seats can be removed or
folded up against the transom wall. From this position
you can stand and fight a fish over the stern as the
outboard splash well is relatively short and compact,
even with the dual outboard engine installation.
Across the top of the transom you’ll find two
excellent 87-litre plumbed livebait tanks, along with a
transom door over on the starboard side.
Other fishing and general features include optional
Sea Deck flooring, horizontal gunwale rod racks, pop-
up stern cleats and at least half-a-dozen stainless-
steel rodholders across the stern.POWER AND PERFORMANCE
The 302 Fisherman is designed exclusively for dual
extra-longshaft outboard engines, with power outputs
ranging from a combined 500hp through to 800hp.
According to performance data supplied by the
manufacturer, even when fitted with a pair of modest
250hp outboards the Wellcraft 302 can run to a top
speed of 43.4 knots and cruise at around 25 knots at
4000rpm.
These figures confirm that the big Wellcraft performs
more than adequately with the base power system.Top:Mercury’s
super-charged
in-line six-cylinder
Verado 400R is the
company’s most
powerful production
outboard engine,
and with two on the
transom, the test
boat reached a top
speed of more than
50 knots.
Above:The
cockpit seats can
be folded down or
removed completely,
and anglers will
appreciate the
wrap-around
coaming bolster
padding, and the
centre transom
bait-bin (with cutting
board) situated
between the two
livebait tanks.“The 302 Fisherman is a sleek-looking craft,
withadeep-veehullreminiscentofthechase
boats in the hit 1980s TV cop showMiami Vice.”
bluewatermag.com.au 65Boat Test: Wellcraft 302 Fisherman