Wellcraft Boat Owners Forum

Hello,

Brand new to boating, never owned or rented one, drove a boat once. I usually am an impulse buyer but with this boat search I have taken my sweet time ( about 5 months lol). I knew I was interested in a cuddy and almost fell into the newby trap of a bayliner i/o cabin cruiser. The old guys at the boat club I joined told me I must stay away from i/o, especially if I will be keeping my boat in the hot salty florida water.

Wellcraft seems to be the ticket for a cuddy with outboard engine. Found a 230 coatsal but it had original Evinrude engine on it so I passed. Now looking at a '02 24' WA with an '05 merc (yamaha) o/b on it with very low hours. I have a mechanic check the engine out completely and check the hull out. He says engine is great but he would recommend servicing fuel injection system due to the low hours on an '05 motor.

Repairs needed: Bilge pumps not working ($375), fresh water pump not working ($480), vacuflush toilet not working (TBD), trim tabs not working ($600), gel coat has spider cracks all over (~$4,000ish /live with it), fish box & waste tank macerator pumps ($760) and seals for trim & steering cylinders ($525).


Any opinions/advice would be greatly appreciated!!

As a boater, you need to become a “do it yourselfer” on many of the normal maintenance items or you will get clobbered by hiring people to fix many of the simple systems on the boat that are not working. For instance, bilge pumps are very inexpensive to buy and easy to change yourself. 90% of all 12 volt systems not working are caused by corrosion at fuse holders or connectors including ground wires. Especially if the boat has been used in salt water. Get yourself an electrical multi tester. You can test for 12 volts going into each pump not working. And test for continuity between the black wires coming out and the engine block. You can find a lot of advice on You tube. Defender Marine is a mail order company that you can use to purchase parts. I agree forget the gel coat cracking.