Wellcraft is introducing its new flagship 435 Performance Cruiser to the U.S. market at the big Fort Lauderdale show next week, doubling down on what it calls “go anywhere, do anything” boats and amping up the rebirth of a once-proud brand.
Wellcraft introduced its first Performance Cruiser, a 355, in May of 2022, and the boat was welcomed in Europe where it was made and in the U.S. It was Wellcraft’s first entry into the rapidly growing lineup of all-weather, adventure cruising boats that were made popular by Scandinavian builders.
The 355 also marked the rejuvenation of Wellcraft, once one of the biggest names in American boating. Many years ago, Wellcraft made a wide variety of boats in its factory in Sarasota, including a well-regarded Coastal cruising line.
But Wellcraft became part of the popular culture when Don Johnson drove his Wellcraft Scarab 38 across the nation’s TV screens in Miami Vice. Chuck Norris, the kick-boxing champion and star of Walker, Texas Ranger, drove an even larger Scarab; my boat test with him off Newport Beach, California, was one of the most fun (and memorable) ever.
Wellcraft was hit hard by the luxury tax in the early ‘90s; it changed ownership; it made smaller boats, its star dimmed. The Beneteau Group, the French giant, bought Wellcraft in 2014, and more recently put Nick Harvey, who had been running sales for Beneteau’s Jeanneau and Prestige lines, in charge.
Things changed. The new Performance Cruiser line, Harvey said, was aimed at boaters “who want to gain more excitement from the typical boating lifestyle.”
The new 435 should provide enough adrenaline for new owners. It’s powered by three 350-hp Mercury outboards, with a top speed well above 40 knots. The hull was designed by Michael Peters, who’s done everything from Hinckleys to Magnums and the new Summits and Outbacks; the interior was designed by Italy’s Garroni Studio.
The 435 has two cabins and two heads (with separate showers) below. The galley is up, in the pilothouse with all-around weather protection. There are separate social areas on the bow, with a three-person sun lounge and more seating forward, and in the aft cockpit, which has folding out terraces to provide extra space.
Specs.: LOA: 42’8”; Beam: 9’10”; Draft: 2’8”; Disp.: 23,129 lbs.; Fuel: 341 gals.; Water: 66 gals.; Power: 3×350-hp Mercury outboards.
Read more at http://wellcraft.com and see the video below:
