I haven’t heard much about these boats but assume they are ok since I see them out and about. It is a 250 sportsman with a 225 OMC seadrive. Not sure on the year but assume it is somewhere mid eighties to early nineties. Anyone on here have a wellcraft or been fishing on one? Would a trade for my 204 Angler be good? Thanks
Mike
204 CC Angler, 150 Merc
17’ Hydrasports bass boat, 150 Evinrude
12’ jon, 24lb thrust MK
16’ canoe, oars
Agreed with C.V. Seadrive is junk!!!
The cost of Liberty, is eternal vigilance!!
crap…ok so what is so bad about the seadrive?? I thought OMC was pretty much same as Johnson…but, although hard to believe,I have been wrong before. Is it because they are out of business and parts may be hard to come by? Thank you gentlemen
Mike
204 CC Angler, 150 Merc
17’ Hydrasports bass boat, 150 Evinrude
12’ jon, 24lb thrust MK
16’ canoe, oars
the seadrive itself was a good idea, they just didn’t folow thru on a couple things that ended up causing a lot of problems. Now parts are getting scarce and most people end up changing them over to a bracket/OB setup, it can get expensive. Check this site http://www.wellcraftv20.com/ there is some good info on this site for Wellcrafts, mostly the V20’s but some info on 250’s
Thanks for the link Spareparts; Ok so this motor is mounted on a bracket…is that better? I read somewhere (probably on the link you provided spareparts) that the tilt/trim cylinder went through the transom and that was an issue??? What about general mechanical reliability? Are they ok or are they built like a Force? Thanks again
Mike
204 CC Angler, 150 Merc
17’ Hydrasports bass boat, 150 Evinrude
12’ jon, 24lb thrust MK
16’ canoe, oars
had a 89 230 Sportsman (maybe a coastal?) Was an absolute TANK.
If you were going wth older motors… would rather have these.
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1987-WELLCRAFT-250-Sportsman-Cuddy-94864066
2502 trophy twin 175 mercs
“The Rum Runner”
under construction
the motor itself was allmost identical to the same hp outboard. OMC did experiment with a few things on the igniton and cooling system that bit them in the butt, but nothing that they didn’t figure out or can’t be replaced. The steering system is based on a Hynautic system(they got bought out by Teleflex), I’ve heard there is very little available on the engine side, the helm and resevoir is essentially the same as they make now. Make sure to carry a bycycle pump in case the air leaks out of the resevoir. The trim system is Seadrive only, very few parts available, I don’t know if you can still get a trim motor or not, if a seal goes out, I’d talk to a hydraulic shop. The cowl on the 225’s were not completely sealed like they were on the V8 seadrives, so when the motor went under backing down, you usually got a bunch of water in the cowl(no different than an outboard on a non floatation bracket). The V8 had a remote air intake(hose) to inside the transom. As long as the trim and steering holds up, you should be OK. I’ve seen regular OMC outboards used to replace a seadrive motor using the original bracket, trim and steering. Just unbolt at the motor mounts. The seadrive was no worse than a nonfloatation bracket set up, with a few tweaks(and offering a better hp selction), OMC could have sold a bunch more of them. Be prepaired to take a hit on resale though, as no one wants one.
like spareparts said
the motor itself is basically identical to an evinrude or johnson, its the lack of avaialble parts and price for the bracket and steering
I’m now at www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
quote:
coates2122 Senior Member1155 Posts
Posted - 12/16/2009 : 1:08:22 PMhad a 89 230 Sportsman (maybe a coastal?) Was an absolute TANK.
If you were going wth older motors… would rather have these.
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1987-WELLCRAFT-250-Sportsman-Cuddy-94864066
You just like this one because it has YAMAHAS on it 
Ok, so that is something that I can deal with I think. From looking at it so far I think it is a good trade. I will probably end up repowering the boat next year. I have been looking for a 25’ WA for quite some time and this gentleman just wants a trade so… pending a water test ill probably pull the trigger. All you guys can say “I told you so” if something goes wrong. Thank you for your input and the information on those motors. It is a 95 motor and heard that by then they had most of those “bugs” worked out. Thanks again!
Mike
204 CC Angler, 150 Merc
17’ Hydrasports bass boat, 150 Evinrude
12’ jon, 24lb thrust MK
16’ canoe, oars
I know where 04 175 Johnsons with props and controls for $4500. Problem is have fun mounting them. If you are going to repower, me thinking stick with a big single. Could be wrong, but it would cost big $$$ to rig from singe to Twin.
2502 trophy twin 175 mercs
“The Rum Runner”
Yeah, one step at a time. Ill take all into consideration…probably do the trade but might end up with cold feet. Thank you all for the technical info…learn something knew everyday. Will let you know how it turns out. Thanks again
Mike
204 CC Angler, 150 Merc
17’ Hydrasports bass boat, 150 Evinrude
12’ jon, 24lb thrust MK
16’ canoe, oars
My old 27 whaler was a sea drive boat. Whaler made a full transom model that you could rig 3 ways, one with omc motors on sea drive, one with whaler drive and one unrigged to put armstrong bracket on back.
My boat had omc motors on it. When they died, the holes for the rigging were glassed in and an armstrong brackett was installed. Boat was then rigged with yamaha 250’s. It did have hynautic steering, which I had to pump air into about once every 3 months.
Motors had seastar cylinders feed into the hynautic system. Once the system goes you have to pull out and replace with new system.
Luckly my boat never had a problem. Bottom line if you like the hull, have some extra cash, and can do glasss work get it. When repowering you should throw the motors on an armstrong.
Lets see the pics!
2502 trophy twin 175 mercs
“The Rum Runner”
Will get some pictures when we are on the lake and it is sinking
Mike
204 CC Angler, 150 Merc
17’ Hydrasports bass boat, 150 Evinrude
12’ jon, 24lb thrust MK
16’ canoe, oars
Should have knocked on wood
Mike
204 CC Angler, 150 Merc
17’ Hydrasports bass boat, 150 Evinrude
12’ jon, 24lb thrust MK
16’ canoe, oars
That’s pretty ■■■■ funny
2502 trophy twin 175 mercs
“The Rum Runner”
Mike
204 CC Angler, 150 Merc
17’ Hydrasports bass boat, 150 Evinrude
12’ jon, 24lb thrust MK
16’ canoe, oars
Now you need to change your name.
GroenSprtsman25
2502 trophy twin 175 mercs
“The Rum Runner”