Wellcraft 26/2670/2600 Excel/Martinique Construction

[PB1]

I've come across a few of the Excel/Martinique's with trailer between 1996-2000, and they seem very well priced, and seem to have held up over the years.

I'm a bit puzzled about the price being so low compared to say a Sea Ray 260. I know the Wellcraft is more straightforward and probably explains the price a bit.

That being said the Wellcraft seems to be a great value for the money, unless there is a reason they are so cheap?

What's the hull, transom, stringer construction? I read somewhere they might be composite?
Any typical problem areas to look for when purchasing?

 

[alldodge]

Welcome
Not putting down Wellcraft but they are classified as entry level. Many like Baylinder, Rinker and them are good boats but are not built as well as some higher end boats.

When you get into Wellcraft go fast boats Scarab, they to have problems and can look at Offshore Only site and see how many have spent thousands restoring them, but are built a bit better

To prove it to your self so far as quality, look under the helm of the Excel and then do the same of the Sea Ray. Can also compare engine rooms

 

[PB1]

Welcome
Not putting down Wellcraft but they are classified as entry level. Many like Baylinder, Rinker and them are good boats but are not built as well as some higher end boats.

When you get into Wellcraft go fast boats Scarab, they to have problems and can look at Offshore Only site and see how many have spent thousands restoring them, but are built a bit better

To prove it to your self so far as quality, look under the helm of the Excel and then do the same of the Sea Ray. Can also compare engine rooms

Fair enough that makes sense. Did they put the effort where it matters though? I can tell the Wellcraft doesn't have as much money spent on the 'nice' stuff, but what about important stuff like the lay up, deck joins, quality fittings etc?

 

[alldodge]

important stuff like the lay up, deck joins, quality fittings etc?

IMO no, but they will last if taken care of. I had a 1995 Rinker that was 27 years old when sold and it was still in good shape so far as the hull. It also spent its life on a trailer and covered.

They cost less because it didn't cost as much to build

 

[Scott Danforth]

They were slapped together to get out the door

Consider the boat a project that may need a complete overhaul and hope it doesn't

 

[Pmt133]

I'll be honest, mid-late 90s wasn't kind to any manufacturer. Searay included. A lot of friends have sundancers and there were a lot of corners cut on those... you just don't see them as they're pretty buried.

Wellcraft builds a decent boat but to quote dad back when he worked on them, "their rigging is atrocious and access to things for regular service is horrible compared to similar manufacturers." I'd rather have a cheaper built boat that was well taken care of than a high quality one that was abused. But at that age, it's probably cooked, like said above. Really gotta check it out.

I always look at it as you're buying someone else's project at that age. Sometimes you get lucky, but probably not.