Wellcraft 242 Fisherman (2016-)

Brief Summary

The Wellcraft 242 Fisherman is a center console fishboat first and foremost, but with numerous options, she becomes a handsome and comfortable family rig complete with cocktail table, sun pad, booth-style seating and even Seagrass floor mats. A portable toilet in the console is standard, as is a flip-down bench seat at the transom. Performance is strong -- rigged with an Evinrude E-TEC G2 300 turning a 19" pitch prop, she tops out at 50.1, according to the company.

Key Features

• Baitwell/livewell, 17 gallon with bluecoat, light and timer
• carry-on 72 quart cooler
• Forward console seating
• Rear folding bench seating
• Rod gunnel storage
• Tackle storage with boxes
• Raw water wash down
• Changing room
• Porta-Potti head
• Gunnel rod holders

Specifications

Length Overall	24' 4'' / 7.42 m
Beam	8' 6'' 2.59 m
Dry Weight	4700 lbs. 2,132 kg
Draft Up	16'' 0.41 m
Draft Down	34'' 0.86 m
Deadrise/Transom	20-deg.
Max Headroom	open
Bridge Clearance	8' 6'' 2.59 m
Person Capacity	10
Fuel Capacity	158 gal. 598 L
Water Capacity	N/A

Engine Options

Tested Engine	Currently no test numbers
Std. Power	Not Available
Opt. Power	4 single and twin Evinrude engines at 150, 200, 250, and 300-hp 5 single and twin Mercury engines at 150, 250, 300-hp 4 Yamaha engines at 150, 200, 250, and 300-hp

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Overview

Wellcraft developed the 242 Fisherman to be a multi-purpose center console that can fish inshore or keep the family entertained for a day. An owner can choose a single outboard or twins, which some might prefer for redundancy when headed offshore. Serious anglers can opt for the Scarab Offshore model or owners can choose the Family Package that turns the bow into a comfortable place to relax and hang out.

Features Inspection

The Bow.

Because it’s the area that can be altered the most to change the boat’s personality, let’s start in the 242 Fisherman’s bow. In the standard configuration, the only forward seating in the boat is on the front of the center console. There are raised casting decks on each side outboard and two cup holders forward. Upgrading the bow for recreating can be done in stages. The Bow Seating Package ($1,462) has port and starboard seat cushions with forward backrests. The Family Package ($2,462) takes it a step further with a fill-in cushion and a table.

Bow Storage.

Regardless of the seating configuration, the 242 Fisherman’s bow has a number of storage areas in the bow. All the way forward is an anchor locker with a hatch in the forepeak. Outboard on each side are insulated draining compartments that most owners will use as fishboxes, and there’s a cooler in the step up to the forepeak. In the cockpit sole just ahead of the console is a dry compartment that can be equipped with an optional macerator to make a third fishbox.

The Console.

Moving aft, the console has the aforementioned bench seat on the front side. It’s hinged at the top and opens on twin gas struts to reveal the portable head and a changing area. The batteries store in the console, and there are storage pockets on each side. Access panels make it easy to trace wires for the dash, which should appeal to DIYers who want to add electronics.

The Helm.

The 242 Fisherman’s helm features a stainless-steel steering wheel with a spinner knob installed on the port side. This leaves space for a companion to ride alongside the captain behind the protection of the console and windscreen. The engine controls look to be in comfortable reach, and there is a row of toggle switches that light when activated across the top of the panel. Ahead of the companion to starboard are cup holders and a 12-volt power plug.

The Leaning Post.

The standard leaning post is built on a powder-coated aluminum frame with a rounded bottom cushion that extends down low behind the driver’s legs and backside, making it comfortable to lean against. Part of the Seaside Trim Package or Scarab Offshore upgrade, the optional version has a backrest with four rocket launcher-style rod holders on the aft side. Also on the aft side down low, the carry-on cooler secures in the framework.

The Cockpit.

Coaming pads extend aft on the gunwales on each side just outboard of the console. There are spring cleats and rod holders in deck at amidships and below in the gunwales are racks for rods and landing gear. Abaft the leaning post, there’s space for an angler to move across the cockpit while fighting a fish. In the aft port corner is a 23-gallon (87 L) livewell that’s painted blue and equipped with a light and timer. To starboard, there’s a passage to the swim platform, and outboard of passageway to starboard is a 17-gallon (64 L) baitwell that’s also finished in blue and has a light and timer. Both wells have clear acrylic hatches. An optional removable plastic cutting board fits in one of the four rod holders across the stern. Throughout the boat, the floor is finished in diamond pattern nonskid. A bench seat folds out of the stern.

The Swim Platform.

A door closes off the passageway to the swim platform, which makes the boat much safer for families with curious little ones or pets. The platform has plenty of space to move when fighting a fish or for loading the kids on a tube. In the aft port corner, Wellcraft equips the 242 Fisherman with a four-step stainless-steel boarding ladder.

 

Construction.

Wellcraft builds the 242 Fisherman with a solid fiberglass bottom, hullside, and deck. Stringers are molded fiberglass filled with flotation foam. The rubrail that covers the hull-to-deck joint is rubber with a stainless-steel insert. All cleats are stainless-steel pull-up models and thru-hull fittings are stainless steel as well.

Observations

The Wellcraft 242 Fisherman is in many ways the model of the current generation of center consoles. She’s true to her fishing roots, but with the optional seating packages for the bow, she can easily become a much more family-friendly boat. She’s available with twin or single outboards from Evinrude, Mercury, or Yamaha. Additionally, the 242 Fisherman is designed to appeal to trailer boaters with an 8’6” (2.59 m) beam. Wellcraft estimates the weight with power at 4,700 lbs. (2,132 kg), so a vehicle rated to tow about 6,500 lbs. (2,948 kg) should be up to the task of hauling the boat and all its gear.