I am making my fisrt boat purchase and am very interested in 2 boats, The wellcraft 22 WA I/O or the 23 Seaswirl Striper I/O .Both in the same price range. I simply can not fiqure out which boat is better, I love them both. I thought Wellcraft makes a better quality product but i like certain things about the striper like the high freeboard. Can anyone tell me what they think or if they have any knowledge of these boats. what boat will handle better in rough seas off the south shore. I plan to be the bay mostly but I was to venture out on a good day. any feedback will help a graet deal.........thanks
Wellcraft vs Seaswirl Striper
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Seaswirl
Ant-
I have the 23 Striper O/B.Great boat for the priceNice features-will take you where you want to go-Great Oak in St. James stands by the product and service has been great-That being said-the boat is a bit light and you do get beat up in the snot-you must learn to use the trim tabs well. I don't know too much about the wellcraft -it may be a better quality boat but dollar for dollar the Striper is a great buy-esp. for inshore
Ant-
I have the 23 Striper O/B.Great boat for the priceNice features-will take you where you want to go-Great Oak in St. James stands by the product and service has been great-That being said-the boat is a bit light and you do get beat up in the snot-you must learn to use the trim tabs well. I don't know too much about the wellcraft -it may be a better quality boat but dollar for dollar the Striper is a great buy-esp. for inshore
Wellcraft
I have the 24 wellcraft WA boat handles very good in rough seas. Been through the inlet in 8' and had no problems. The only problems i have with the boat is that i wish it had less cabin and more fishing room. Also, the motor well is very low and with the cut outs on the bottom sides of the splash board some water comes when drifting, but you won't have that problem with the i/o. There is not that much difference in the loa between the 22 and 24. You can definatly go out in the ocean in 3 to 4's with the 22 i/o since the the motor is much heavier than the outboard and the bays on the south shore are a little choppy due to all the boat traffic. When drifting you will rock due to the srakes but you'll ride better beacuse of them.The wellcraft is made very well and has a decent good layout. I've had 2 boats before this one and this one handles the best.i had the boat for 2 years and had no problems with it except for the motor. Since i have never dealt with a SeaSwirl i dont know how they ride but the wellcraft rides very well in rough water. One of the ways to decide on either of the boats is to take it out for a test ride on a nasty day.
I have the 24 wellcraft WA boat handles very good in rough seas. Been through the inlet in 8' and had no problems. The only problems i have with the boat is that i wish it had less cabin and more fishing room. Also, the motor well is very low and with the cut outs on the bottom sides of the splash board some water comes when drifting, but you won't have that problem with the i/o. There is not that much difference in the loa between the 22 and 24. You can definatly go out in the ocean in 3 to 4's with the 22 i/o since the the motor is much heavier than the outboard and the bays on the south shore are a little choppy due to all the boat traffic. When drifting you will rock due to the srakes but you'll ride better beacuse of them.The wellcraft is made very well and has a decent good layout. I've had 2 boats before this one and this one handles the best.i had the boat for 2 years and had no problems with it except for the motor. Since i have never dealt with a SeaSwirl i dont know how they ride but the wellcraft rides very well in rough water. One of the ways to decide on either of the boats is to take it out for a test ride on a nasty day.
Wellcraft
I have the 24 wellcraft WA boat handles very good in rough seas. Been through the inlet in 8' and had no problems. Mostly just use the boat for fishing in the ocean and the furthest i've been was 26 miles offshore. The only problems i have with the boat is that i wish it had less cabin and more fishing room. Also, the motor well is very low and with the cut outs on the bottom sides of the splash board some water comes when drifting, but you won't have that problem with the i/o. There is not that much difference in the loa between the 22 and 24. You can definatly go out in the ocean in 3 to 4's with the 22 i/o since the the motor is much heavier than the outboard and the bays on the south shore are a little choppy due to all the boat traffic. When drifting you will rock due to the srakes but you'll ride better beacuse of them.The wellcraft is made very well and has a decent good layout. I've had 2 boats before this one and this one handles the best.i had the boat for 2 years and had no problems with it except for the motor. Since i have never dealt with a SeaSwirl i dont know how they ride but the wellcraft rides very well in rough water. One of the ways to decide on either of the boats is to take it out for a test ride on a nasty day.
I have the 24 wellcraft WA boat handles very good in rough seas. Been through the inlet in 8' and had no problems. Mostly just use the boat for fishing in the ocean and the furthest i've been was 26 miles offshore. The only problems i have with the boat is that i wish it had less cabin and more fishing room. Also, the motor well is very low and with the cut outs on the bottom sides of the splash board some water comes when drifting, but you won't have that problem with the i/o. There is not that much difference in the loa between the 22 and 24. You can definatly go out in the ocean in 3 to 4's with the 22 i/o since the the motor is much heavier than the outboard and the bays on the south shore are a little choppy due to all the boat traffic. When drifting you will rock due to the srakes but you'll ride better beacuse of them.The wellcraft is made very well and has a decent good layout. I've had 2 boats before this one and this one handles the best.i had the boat for 2 years and had no problems with it except for the motor. Since i have never dealt with a SeaSwirl i dont know how they ride but the wellcraft rides very well in rough water. One of the ways to decide on either of the boats is to take it out for a test ride on a nasty day.
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252 Posts
I have a 94 23' Seaswirl I/O (not a WA) I like the boat very much and have had very few problems. I have been out in some rough weather and it's a slow ride but everything stayed dry inside. The vinyl on the seats and interior is heavy and still looks great eight years later. I bought my boat used from a private person but I have been to Great Oaks Marina a number of times and find the service good there. I think Seaswirl makes a great boat for the money and would be on the top of my list if I were looking to by another boat.
Good Luck
Good Luck
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348 Posts
I have the 23' striper walkaround with a hard top. I am 6'3" and there is plenty of head room, whereas when i looked at the wellcraft it felt alittle low. Nothing is worse then wacking your head in rough seas. I have the 200 hp outboard on mine, i would reccomend the 225, if i were buying new, its a great boat.
Seaswirl Striper
Ant,
I own a 21 W/A 2000 Model. Bought it new and I have no complaints since I had other than a minor engine problem that cost $60 dollars to repair. This is a nicely built boat. It is dry and as someone else mentioned it rides well in the rough once you get the hang of using the trim tabs. They are a delight to have. Great Oak totally stands by their product and the guys and gals at the shop are helpful, friendly and extremely courteous. Me recommending a Striper will be bias of course but as I stated above this is a nice boat at a decent price that you will enjoy.
Ant,
I own a 21 W/A 2000 Model. Bought it new and I have no complaints since I had other than a minor engine problem that cost $60 dollars to repair. This is a nicely built boat. It is dry and as someone else mentioned it rides well in the rough once you get the hang of using the trim tabs. They are a delight to have. Great Oak totally stands by their product and the guys and gals at the shop are helpful, friendly and extremely courteous. Me recommending a Striper will be bias of course but as I stated above this is a nice boat at a decent price that you will enjoy.
22 Wellcraft w/a
I own a 2000 Wellcraft. The boat is a good riding boat. Been out in 4 to 5's to rough to fish but the boat pulled through with no problems. It has a 150 Johnson o/b wich is a little undersized but is exelent on gas. Tops off at 33kts. A couple of problems are the plastic rod holders have cracks in them from the screws being tightend to much. and the wirering in the stern area could be better. Some of the connections have corroded due to electrolosys. I wound up clipping all the quick connections off and hard wireing them with heat shrink butt connectors to avoid future problems.
I also thought the low sides would be a problem but they are fine. With the side cusions it is very comfortable to fish in.
In my opinion the boat is a good boat.
I own a 2000 Wellcraft. The boat is a good riding boat. Been out in 4 to 5's to rough to fish but the boat pulled through with no problems. It has a 150 Johnson o/b wich is a little undersized but is exelent on gas. Tops off at 33kts. A couple of problems are the plastic rod holders have cracks in them from the screws being tightend to much. and the wirering in the stern area could be better. Some of the connections have corroded due to electrolosys. I wound up clipping all the quick connections off and hard wireing them with heat shrink butt connectors to avoid future problems.
I also thought the low sides would be a problem but they are fine. With the side cusions it is very comfortable to fish in.
In my opinion the boat is a good boat.
quote:
I also thought the low sides would be a problem but they are fine. With the side cusions it is very comfortable to fish in.
SummerBrz reminded me why I didn't buy the Wellcraft or the Proline back in 1999 when I purchased the 21 footer. The higher gunwales are a must if you have young children. Otherwise, both boats are fine choices.
I also thought the low sides would be a problem but they are fine. With the side cusions it is very comfortable to fish in.
SummerBrz reminded me why I didn't buy the Wellcraft or the Proline back in 1999 when I purchased the 21 footer. The higher gunwales are a must if you have young children. Otherwise, both boats are fine choices.
Low sides
Doctorfish,
I have to disagree about the kids. Like I said I thought the same thing when bought the boat. I have a 2 year old that I take on the boat with me all the time, She never attempted to go over the side, but she does like to throw things over, like anything she can pick up. I am very stern with her when it comes to the water, and she has been listening so far (knocking on wood as I type this).
Think about this:
Put a child in front of a 3 foot fence, they will try to climb it, then put them in front of a 6 foot fence, they will try to climb that too.
Doctorfish,
I have to disagree about the kids. Like I said I thought the same thing when bought the boat. I have a 2 year old that I take on the boat with me all the time, She never attempted to go over the side, but she does like to throw things over, like anything she can pick up. I am very stern with her when it comes to the water, and she has been listening so far (knocking on wood as I type this).
Think about this:
Put a child in front of a 3 foot fence, they will try to climb it, then put them in front of a 6 foot fence, they will try to climb that too.
Striper
Bought my 21 W/A Striper new in 99..I think that was the last year they sold the square transom design. Looked at the Proline and Wellcraft models but liked the high gunwales and high cabin headroom of the Striper. Great boat..I have no complaints other than I'm not too crazy about the rod holders in the gunwales...I don't even use them because they tend to tear up rod guides. Other than that....great ride. Trim tabs smooth it out nicely in the chop and w/ a 175 Johnson, it hauls ass. Great overnighter too.
Bought my 21 W/A Striper new in 99..I think that was the last year they sold the square transom design. Looked at the Proline and Wellcraft models but liked the high gunwales and high cabin headroom of the Striper. Great boat..I have no complaints other than I'm not too crazy about the rod holders in the gunwales...I don't even use them because they tend to tear up rod guides. Other than that....great ride. Trim tabs smooth it out nicely in the chop and w/ a 175 Johnson, it hauls ass. Great overnighter too.
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5,139 Posts
?????????????
Measure the ****pit size. The SS may be a foot longer but LOA is a different thing. SS has to include that intergrated transom and moulded pulpit towards the LOA. I don't know if well craft has the same thing but I used to sell SS and one of the reasons for leaving is what they did to the boat. A 23 has the same ****pit size as an older 21.
It is a shame what they do to these boats.
Bill
Measure the ****pit size. The SS may be a foot longer but LOA is a different thing. SS has to include that intergrated transom and moulded pulpit towards the LOA. I don't know if well craft has the same thing but I used to sell SS and one of the reasons for leaving is what they did to the boat. A 23 has the same ****pit size as an older 21.
It is a shame what they do to these boats.
Bill
Ihave a 1988 210 Wellcraft Coastal with 150 Yamaha and 9.9 hp highthrust kicker that will get me home no-matter what!. The boat is great both in the bays and outside. The ****pit offers as much fishing room as most current 24 ft boats. The guy I bought it from fished 20 miles offshore with the boat -including codfish in winter. Nuff said.
Ihave a 1988 210 Wellcraft Coastal with 150 Yamaha and 9.9 hp highthrust kicker that will get me home no-matter what!. The boat is great both in the bays and outside. The ****pit offers as much fishing room as most current 24 ft boats. The guy I bought it from fished 20 miles offshore with the boat -including codfish in winter. Nuff said.
Ihave a 1988 210 Wellcraft Coastal with 150 Yamaha and 9.9 hp highthrust kicker that will get me home no-matter what!. The boat is great both in the bays and outside. The ****pit offers as much fishing room as most current 24 ft boats. The guy I bought it from fished 20 miles offshore with the boat -including codfish in winter. Nuff said.
Do you fish inside or outside?
I have friend who owns a 24' Wellcraft that is quite reliable and can fish three comfortably, but not all on one side and the I/O cover takes up far too much of the limited ****pit space. It is a slow go on rough days, but it always gets there and back and for what he paid, was a bargain. The question is, is that what you're looking for in a boat? If you fish inshore, look no further than the SeaSwirl and forget the rest of this post. It's a great boat and you'll appreciate the high gunwales when the the three footers are tightly spaced- that's for sure.
However, if you fish outside often, have you considered a fishing catamaran? After many years of boating, I purchased one and will never own another monohulled fishing boat. Get past the looks and you will be astounded by a ride that is unmatched in similar sized monohulls. If interested, read more here.
Used 24 footers can be had for the same price as a new seaswirl and there's no comparison between used and new, but dollar for dollar, you cannot beat a fishing cat.
Either way, best wishes with your new boat.
)
I have friend who owns a 24' Wellcraft that is quite reliable and can fish three comfortably, but not all on one side and the I/O cover takes up far too much of the limited ****pit space. It is a slow go on rough days, but it always gets there and back and for what he paid, was a bargain. The question is, is that what you're looking for in a boat? If you fish inshore, look no further than the SeaSwirl and forget the rest of this post. It's a great boat and you'll appreciate the high gunwales when the the three footers are tightly spaced- that's for sure.
However, if you fish outside often, have you considered a fishing catamaran? After many years of boating, I purchased one and will never own another monohulled fishing boat. Get past the looks and you will be astounded by a ride that is unmatched in similar sized monohulls. If interested, read more here.
Used 24 footers can be had for the same price as a new seaswirl and there's no comparison between used and new, but dollar for dollar, you cannot beat a fishing cat.
Either way, best wishes with your new boat.
)We owned a 96 21 foot Striper! Hated the boat!!!! Had problems with it from the get go--Faulty design as the boat would nopt self Bail!!! Standing in Water sucks! Also, the boat takes a pounding in any kind of rough water! Maybe they have changed the boat since but we finally got rid of the **** thing as we felt it was beginning to fall apart. For the money its an ok boat but if you are serious about fishing and want to use the boat when its blowing a bit I would stay clear of the boat!
Incidentally we upgraded to a 25' Robalo walkaround 2440 and we LOVE IT!
Night and day difference-We fish the Sound at night 5-6 miles out. I think Wellcraft makes a better boat, but I do think the weight factor comes into play! The heavier the boat the better she will ride normally in a chop. Maybe we just had a bad design but I personally would not buy one again!
We also found the service to be not so good at Great Oak as they took months to have an opening to fix something as they were too busy!
But again that may have changed too!
Just my two cents!
Good Luck
Incidentally we upgraded to a 25' Robalo walkaround 2440 and we LOVE IT!
Night and day difference-We fish the Sound at night 5-6 miles out. I think Wellcraft makes a better boat, but I do think the weight factor comes into play! The heavier the boat the better she will ride normally in a chop. Maybe we just had a bad design but I personally would not buy one again!
We also found the service to be not so good at Great Oak as they took months to have an opening to fix something as they were too busy!
But again that may have changed too!
Just my two cents!
Good Luck
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