Wellcraft 38 T-Top

With almost 70 years of innovative boat building in its wake, starting with a series of Ray Hunt-designed deep-V hulls in the 1970s through its exciting high performance Scarabs to its lineup of tournament-tested, center console fishing boats, Wellcraft has established itself as one of the most familiar and highly regarded manufacturers in the industry.

Today’s 38 T-Top, utilizing all the company’s expertise and advanced construction with forward thinking design and engineering in balancing all usable space aboard with outstanding performanc — a hallmark of the company’s heritage – clearly reinforces Wellcraft’s position in the highly competitive center console sector.
“When we designed and engineered the 38 T-Top, we set out to build anything but a typical center console,” said Nick Vosinek, director of Sales America for Beneteau and Wellcraft, and my guide during my time with the boat. “Versatility and multi-purpose usage across the experience of being out on the water were in the design phase and incorporated into production, and are key components of this boat.”

Vosinek and I met our Wellcraft 38 T-Top at Sunrise Marina, near West Palm Beach, Florida, and my impressions upon first look echoed his sentiments. From where I stood on the quay overlooking the marina, it did not take much effort to spot my charge for the day. Indeed, the 38 T-Top easily stood out from the other boats in the dock with her sleek exterior lines, fine entry and plumb bow with a noticeable amount of beam carried forward, and deep freeboard — far different than the profile usually associated with most center consoles. Indeed, as we made our way down to the finger dock, she seemed be gently tugging on her lines as if to indicate this is a boat which belongs out on the water and not tied up.

The design teams Michael Peters, one of the most respected naval architects in the industry, and known for his efficient hull shapes, with the interior and exterior layout envisioned by well-known designer Camillo Garroni. The result combines seating and comfort while engaging in all day use during a wide variety of activities including cruising, fishing, hanging on the hook at a favorite anchorage, as well as participating in water sports, and even includes overnight and extended weekend stays for the more adventurous couple.

A lap around ­— and below ­— the deck

Stepping onto her aft deck, it was obvious, given the 38 T-Top’s walk-around layout, how easy it would be to navigate going back and forth from bow to stern while at the same time availing yourself of its many exterior features. Starting astern, the seating layout, to port and starboard, lends itself to this boat’s prime directive of optimizing entertaining space. An aft bench easily lifts up and disappears into the transom when more deck space is needed in this area for fishing or keeping an eye on skiers or swimmers behind the boat. For those wishing to fish, there’s a baitwell under the middle starboard seating space, a trio of rod holders across the transom, and six rocket launchers on the full beam T-Top. There’s a towing eye centered in the aft section of the hardtop as well. With the transom bench down, the now L-shaped seating offers several configurations including tables which can be split into two separate dining areas. And there is generous storage space in the deck and beneath the port bench seat.

Complimenting the forward cockpit space here are sink, refrigerator, grill and storage consoles, one to port with the other to starboard, with additional storage and fishing amenities just aft of the helm seats. Suitable passageways on either side allow for a wide enough opening forward. And then, of course, there’s a terrace aft and to port that when deployed, extends the beam to allow for extra room to enter and reboard, or a pleasant place to set up a deck chair and take it all in.

Located amidships is the well-equipped helm, surrounded by a glass enclosure courtesy of her T-Top, with three individual bolstered seats, the middle for the driver, and all able to be independently adjusted. The console is equipped with a pair of 16-inch Garmin touchscreens and well-placed backlit buttons and controls including throttles, bow thruster, tab switches and Active Trim, joystick, VHF and anything else critical to safe operations, all within easy reach. A neat addition here, on the top of the console, and opened and closed with the touch of a button, is a vent which raises up to allow air to flow inwards. Because of its positioning, it does not compromise the driver’s sightlines forward. A grate prevents any debris from entering when the vent is in the open position. Further, there are flap-like wings on either side of the helm which face outwards to divert the wind while underway. Views into the seaway ahead and from side to side, and aft, are excellent.

At the bow, again with the added beam being able to be carried forward, and accessed from port or starboard of the helm, there are robust stainless rails for firm handholds on the gunnels. Recessed rod holders are in the deep bulwarks along with boarding steps on both sides. Found fully forward is a C-shape couch, which can function as a pair of lounges, and easily seats four. There is added storage space beneath the cushions. A table, located on the deck, is electrically operated and raises and lowers flush when needed. It can also, with a filler cushion, be used to form a large sunpad. Just aft of that is a centerline, two person lounger, also with storage below. Of note is the deep well up here, designed to allow for great viewing while underway while at the same time providing a safe and secure space.

Living quarters

My tour of the Wellcraft 38 T-Top also revealed her living accommodations below. Accessed via a hefty, well-designed hatch-like door on the port side of the helm console with impressive opening and closing hinges clearly designed for heavy-duty use, wide stairs lead down into the forepeak berth and head. With approximately 61⁄2′ of headroom at the opening, the sleeping area takes the shape of the bow as it tapers going forward. There is storage space on the port side. Aft and to starboard is the head featuring an electric toilet and separate stand-up shower compartment with sink and cabinet on the aft bulkhead. In the end, and given the amount of deck space above allotted to bow, helm and cockpit, the accommodations below are more than adequate for those times when a couple might want to be somewhat adventurous and extend their cruising time. Helping to make that opportunity more enjoyable are the 16,000 BTU air conditioning unit and the Victron inverter charger 12V/115V/60HZ 5KVA, and Victron 600AH lithium ion battery pack. And for real comfort while underway, there is the optional Seakeeper SK3.

Heritage of performance

With a tradition of performance built into every Wellcraft, the 38 T-Top, equipped with a wide choice of power options, taps into that same DNA. With triple 350-hp Mercury V10 outboards astern, and after quicky jumping up on plane during several out-of-the-hole-shots, at 2000 rpm her easy cruising speed was 10.6mph/9.2kts with a 144sm/125.17nm range. At 3000 rpm, she was humming along at 19.5mph/16.9kts and a range of 159.1sm/138.26nm. The fireworks began as the throttles registered 5000 rpm and a speed of 39.0mph /33.9kn. At that rate, her range is calculated at 126.2sm/109.7nm. Sliding up to 6000 rpm and 56.7mph /49.3kts, an estimated 132.7sm/115.32nm range was noted. At WOT, that being 6400 rpm, her speed stood at 57.5mph /50.0kts with a computed range of 134.6sm/116.96nm. All these numbers were taken with gps, in nautical miles, with a 20% reserve of her 266 gallon fuel tank. During her time on the water, and running on her responsive Michael Peters hull bottom, she held rpm on tight turns, answered the helm with assurance during hard over and S-turn maneuvers, and tracked straight and true. Of course while each day’s conditions can be different, given variable wind and sea conditions, the Wellcraft 38 T-Top showed itself to be the kind of boat you want underfoot just in case things quickly go south.

A word on construction

From the moment I stepped on board the Wellcraft 38 T-Top, I could tell she was solidly built. There was no deck flexing anywhere above or below and all hatches and compartments opened easily and closed with authority. Gasketed lids are everywhere. In addition, Wellcraft, always on the cutting edge of boat building and using the latest in material and techniques, has incorporated its patented Infujection Process. Known as WISE, for Wellcraft Infujection Structural Engineering, it allows for a higher horsepower-to-weight ratio due to precise amounts of resin and gel, vastly improves durability, provides a much quieter, seaworthy ride, and is less prone to gel coat cracks and blemishes. Boiled down to its component parts, the hull and entire structure are produced in one shot with foam-filled stringers. The result is significant weight reduction in the hull while maintaining proper stiffness, much more than hand-laid up hulls. The fine fit and finish, and overall attention to detail, is quite noticeable.

Thoughts and observations

My day aboard the Wellcraft 38 T-Top ended with us backing our test boat into a rather tight slip. With the wind to port and the incoming tide running somewhat strong through the narrow channel, using both bow thruster and the precision maneuvering of our joystick easily slipped us into the dock where our preset lines were waiting. And while the Wellcraft maintenance crew broke out the hoses and brushes, Vosinek and I were able to spend a few moments discussing what the day produced.

“This boat does redefine what a center console should be in terms of versatility, performance, and seating and entertainment capabilities,” he said. “And that helped getting her named European Boat of The Year.” After my short yet concentrated time aboard, it was obvious the Wellcraft approach to designing and engineering the 38 T-Top resulted in a boat which easily covers the spectrum of on-water activities in an elegant and luxurious way. She offers both the family’s need for comfort and safety while cruising, engaging in water sports, hanging on the hookat the sandbar or chasing big fish far offshore. After all, the 38 T-Top is a Wellcraft, with a performance soul and built high and wide, with great headroom, for the American market.

The 38 T-Top comes with a long list of standard equipment, the choice of two or three outboard engines with up to 1,050 combined horsepower and optional gear, including hull, bottom, and accent colors, along with other premium offerings. Should a center console in this size range be lighting up your radar screen, schedule a visit to your local dealer, set up a sea trial, and experience what all the buzz
is about for yourself.