Wellcraft 221 Fisherman (2016-)

Brief Summary

The Wellcraft 221 Fisherman is a versatile center console set up for bay fishing with all of the usual accessories, including plenty of rod racks, under-gunwale rod storage, a fishbox and livewell. Add the optional Family Package option, which includes cushions for the bow and removable backrests, and it becomes more amenable to a lazy day of sunbathing, swimming, and towsports. The optional portable head tucks inside the console.

Specifications

Length Overall	22' 4'' / 6.8 m
Beam	8' 6'' 2.59 m
Dry Weight	3,400 lbs. 1,770 kg
Draft Up	14'' 36 cm
Draft Down	27" 69 cm
Deadrise/Transom	15-deg.
Max Headroom	open
Bridge Clearance	8' 2'' 2.5 m
Weight Capacity	2,500 lbs. 1,134 kg
Person Capacity	8
Fuel Capacity	52 gal. 197 L
Water Capacity	N/A

Engine Options

Tested Engine	Currently no test numbers
Std. Power	Not Available
Opt. Power	1 x 200-hp Evinrude E-TEC 200 DPX 1 x 150-hp Evinrude E-TEC 150 DPX 1 x 250-hp Evinrude E-TEC 250 X G2 Five Mercury engine options from 150-hp to 250-hp Four Yamaha engine options from 150-hp to 250-hp

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Overview

Wellcraft designed the 221 Fisherman to be a bay boat that can sneak into the skinny waters with 14” (35.6 cm) of draft and still have the cockpit depth and freeboard to head offshore on the right day. With single outboard power, she’s economical to buy and to operate. Serious anglers can opt for the Tournament Edition or owners can add individual upgrades or the Family Package of options to make her more versatile.

Features Inspection

The Bow.

The 221 Fisherman’s entire bow area is raised off the deck to provide a good platform for fishing. The optional Family Package comes with cushions that turn the area into a large sunlounge with forward-facing backrests on each side. The standard boat comes with a bench seat on the front of the helm console. Bow storage includes an anchor locker, draining fishboxes on each side, a dedicated spot for a 5-gallon (18.9-L) bucket, and a 56-quart (53-L) cooler in the step. An owner can opt for a 14-gallon (53-L) livewell in place of the cooler.

The Console.

The front of the center console is hinged just beneath the windscreen to make it easy to open. Inside are light, expandable pockets for storage on each side, the battery and, if equipped, the battery switch, and circuit breakers. A portable head is available as an individual option or as part of the Family Package. On the outside, there are three rod holders and grab handles on each side of the console.

The Helm.

At the 221 Fisherman’s helm, the steering wheel is on the port side of the panel so there’s space for two behind the console. Wellcraft offers the boat with Yamaha, Mercury, or Evinrude motors and the corresponding gauges at the dash. There’s space for an optional chartplotter in the vertical flat ahead of the steering wheel and controls. There are two cup holders and a small glovebox on the starboard side of the panel. Toggle-style accessory switches that light when activated are in a single row on top.

The Cockpit.

The 221 Fisherman’s leaning post is built on a heavy-duty tubular frame. The bottom cushion is comfortable for the driver and a companion on which to sit or lean. The bottom has dedicated space for a carry-on 72-quart (68.1-L) cooler. The optional leaning post comes with a backrest and rocket-launcher-style rod holders. All versions of the boat come with a bench seat that folds into the stern, and in each corner, there are large 34-gallon (128 L) livewells/baitwells that are painted blue and has a light and timer. Racks for rods and landing tackle are in each gunwale, and a hatch in the cockpit sole provides access to pumps and other mechanical accessories.

Power and Performance

The Numbers.

Wellcraft offers the 221 Fisherman with a single outboard from 150-hp to 250-hp from Evinrude, Mercury, or Yamaha. We haven’t tested the boat yet, but Yamaha did with one of the manufacturer’s F200XB 4-stroke outboard. The boat weighed 4,061 lbs. (1,842 kg) as tested and spun a Reliance 14 ½” x 15” (36.8 cm x 38.1 cm) stainless-steel three-blade propeller through a 1.86:1 ratio. The boat hit a top speed of 43.4 mph (37.8 knots) at 6000 rpm.

Best cruise

was at 3500 rpm where the boat ran 23.8 mph (20.7 knots) and burned 5.9 gph (22.3 lph), giving the 221 Fisherman a range of 188.8 statute miles with 10% of the boat’s 52-gallon (197 L) fuel capacity in reserve.

In acceleration tests

, the boat reached 20 mph (17.4 knots) in 6.57 seconds.

Construction.

Wellcraft builds the 221 Fisherman with a fiberglass stringer system that is filled with flotation foam. The stringers are finished, and the cockpit is made from a one-piece liner. The standard boat comes with a white gelcoat, and the hull-to-deck joint is capped with a plastic rubrail with a stainless-steel insert.

Base Price

Engine Options and Pricing

Optional Packages

Individual Options

Observations

The Wellcraft 221 Fisherman is a new breed of bay boat with more freeboard and seaworthiness than the classic low-profile models. With a draft of 14” (36 cm) with the motor up, she can still get into skinny water, but her taller hullsides and deeper cockpit will make the boat more seaworthy and more versatile for family use.
An owner can choose power from Evinrude, Mercury, or Yamaha, and the boat comes on a custom tandem-axle trailer with brakes and Gatorhyde corrosion-fighting treatment. With the engine and boat weighing in at 3,900 lbs. (1,769 kg), a vehicle rated to tow about 5,000 to 5,500 lbs. (2,495 kg) should be up to the task and that includes many mid-sized SUVs and pickups.