deck mould. This is a boon for anglers as it means
you can order the boat with a completely flat forward
deck that is at the same level as the cockpit floor all
the way through to the bow.
The optional full-seating area is also fully removable,
so you can pluck it out of the boat for offshore fishing
trips. With the seating gone, anglers can stand and
fight a fish from the bow while braced securely up
against the padded bow coamings.DOWNSTAIRS BATHROOM
The 302 Fisherman has a number of other concessions
to family boating, most notably the inclusion of a
side-accessed head compartment under the console
unit. Inside there is full standing headroom with a
toilet, wash basin, mirror, several storage pouches and
lockers, as well as the boat’s electrical control panel.
Back up at the bow, the test rig also featured an
optional cocktail table, which drops into the floor
between the bow side seats to create a comfy
forward dinette area. The table slots into place aft
of a removable cooler/icebox situated up against the
anchor well bulkhead.
Surrounding the bow seating are recessed coaming
rails, pop-up cleats and wide side coamings, along
with built-in stainless-steel rodholders, which also
cleverly double as drink/cup holders.
The anchor well in the forepeak holds a regular
plough anchor mounted on a roller built into the stem
of the boat, so it’s ready to drop at the push of a
button back at the dash.
The forward seating area really is a boon for family
boaters, with additional seating provided aft in the
form of two bench seats which fold out from the
transom wall. Behind these there is access to the bilge
for servicing the pumps and steering gear.AMPLE STORAGE SPACE
Centre-console boats can sometimes lack adequate
storage space, but this certainly isn’t the case with
the Wellcraft 302 Fisherman. At the bow there is an
underfloor bucket/fender locker to compliment the
safety gear storage space beneath the optional side
seat mouldings, with a large, padded console seat also
housing a clever two-tier storage bin.
Moving aft you’ll find storage areas inside the head
compartment, as well as four sub-floor storage bins
with overboard drains. Two are general storage/
lockers, while the two furthest aft are big mackerel-
sized fishboxes with macerator pumps.JUST LANDED
When the first of the new Wellcraft Fisherman models
arrived on the Gold Coast, courtesy of importer
HiOctane Marine, we were quick to snap it up for a
test. The boat looked to have considerable potential as
a semi-trailerable, open-deck game fishing platform- and when we laid eyes on it for the first time, we
weren’t disappointed. The 302 Fisherman has a huge
amount of open-deck space and offers convertible,
modular seating at the bow and stern. It also comes
standard with plenty of fishing kit.
The 302 Fisherman is a sleek-looking craft, with
a deep-vee hull reminiscent of the pointy-nosed
Wellcraft Scarabs made famous as drug smuggler
chase boats in the hit 1980s TV cop showMiami Vice.
And with 800hp on board, our test boat was rigged
with enough power to give those classic Scarab race
boats are run for their money.
Our test boat was rigged with a pair of Mercury
Racing Verado 400R extra-longshaft super-charged
six-cylinder outboards – Mercury Marine’s most
powerful production outboard engine. With two of
them on the transom, the test boat was able to crack
through the 50-knot barrier with ease.
FAMILY & FISHING
With its high-performance capability and family-friendly
layout, the 302 Fisherman can easily accommodate its
additional role as sports boat and family cruiser.
At the bow, the test boat was rigged with an
elaborate seating area, with cushioned seats that
could be configured into everything from a full-length
sun lounge to individual chaise seats with lift-out
backrests, ideal for family boating.
However, this forward-seating area is
optional. The standard boat has only
the cushioned seat in front of the
console. Even the side seat mouldings
are optional as they are separate
fixtures and do not form part of theAbove:Featuring an
anti-glare coloured
dash and fascia with
ample space for
engine instruments
and flush-fitted
electronics displays,
the helm is nicely set
up with a tilt-adjust
steering wheel,
binnacle throttle, a
pair of deluxe bucket
chairs, and a three-
tier foot rest.
Above right:The
302 Fisherman offers
optional bow seating
and lounge area for
cruising and family
boating, but the side
seat moulding can
also be removed
completely for a flat,
full-depth fishing
deck all the way
forward to the bow.
Below:The head is
accessed through the
side of the console
and has full standing
headroom, a toilet,
vanity, mirror and
storage pouches and
lockers.
Below right:
Behind the helm
seats is a food/
drink preparation
area complete
with dual sinks
and a freshwater
faucet. There’s also
a slide-out cooler
underneath.64 facebook.com/BlueWatermagazine
Boat Test: Wellcraft 302 Fisherman