We step on board the Wellcraft 38 T-Top, the first in a new line of centre console sportsboats from offshore fishing specialist, Wellcraft
When Wellcraft first launched its 38 T-Top at the Cannes Yachting Festival about 18 months ago, it looked very much like an open variant of the 38 from its Explorer line. It used the same hull and, with the option of either twin or triple 300hp or 350hp outboards, it offered the same power choice – either a muscular engine rig or an extremely muscular engine rig.
But while the pilothouse-equipped Explorer models were a deviation into the brave new world of adventure for a brand more traditionally associated with offshore fishing, this new T-Top model is yet another departure for the brand.
As an open centre console boat, it looks geared far more toward sunny recreation for large parties than to the needs of the offshore fisherman or the four-season adventurer. For proof of that, just take a look at the cockpit arrangement…
Party-ready cockpit
A pair of long, staggered, semi-diagonal L-shaped settees face each other across the cockpit. They line the entire space, leaving only one gap at the starboard quarter, where a diagonal walkway links the drop-down aft terrace with the spaces further forward.
With a beam of 10ft 9in, it’s a huge section of the boat, but what helps it work so well, in terms of both space and layout, is the fact the wet bar is positioned further forward and split into a pair of triangular units on either side of a broad walkway. The sink is to port with an integrated fridge. The bin and cooking facilities sit to starboard in a similarly angled unit, helping keep the walkways wide open as they flank the helm seats and centre console.
Under-deck cockpit storage is really impressive
The storage is good on this boat too. There’s a massive space beneath a pair of hatches in the centre of the deck, plus a big locker beneath the port bench, with easy one-handed access, thanks to cantilever hinges and drained cushions that you can leave in place. But interestingly, the fishing elements, though understated and subtle, are still there.
For instance, there are rod holders in the transom mouldings, plus more bookending the elevated towing point at the trailing edge of the T-Top. The aft bench also hinges up into the transom to open up some extra deck space; and the cushion for the starboard corner seat lifts to reveal a live bait well. There are lots of drained storage lockers around this boat too, and there’s even a dedicated set of drawers for your hooks, lures and sinkers beneath the helm seats – so it might be optimised as a party-centric day boat but even in its standard guise, it will happily cope with a spot of fishing.
It’s worth noting that the quality is really strong too. With its robust, elevated bulwarks, chunky inset grab rails, deep heavyweight cushions and easy on-board movement, you get distinct Boston Whaler vibes as you make your way around this boat.
The port wet bar module houses the sink and fridge
Oddly enough though, the awkwardness of the midships boarding points does let the side down a bit. They sit in the same bulwark recesses as the rod brackets, which means you endanger your shins on the upper moulding when you try to use them.
The starboard one also endangers your head on the T-Top flare when you take a step up and neither uses any treadplate on the gunwale to provide extra grip. It’s an odd oversight, given the user-friendliness in evidence elsewhere, but when you reach
the bow, the feel-good party vibes take charge once again.
Bow versus cabin
The beam comes a good way forward, creating a bow with a very decent footprint – and the way it’s arranged is clever too. The bulwarks thicken and angle inwards, creating support for forward-facing backrests at the trailing edges of the forepeak’s U-shaped bench.
The bulwarks thicken at the forepeak, pinching in the walkways and creating forward facing loungers
Add those to the armchair-style lounge seats in the leading edge of the console and you have four forward-facing bow seats, which is great if you enjoy sitting in the bow underway. Realistically, though, that’s not a place many of us would choose to inhabit when the boat is anything but stationary; and if you do stop for lunch, you probably want to face toward your fellow guests rather than away from them.
Even so, it’s a really secure, deep-set space with seating for up to six people – and the fact that the deck rises up at the touch of a button to become a table, or the base for a sunbed infill, is particularly welcome.
The fattened sections of bulwark, however, are slightly underutilised. They house shallow trays, pop-up lights, speakers and a gas locker so more could be made of the volume they create. But it is good to see that the bow offers a genuine place for people to escape from the cockpit.
Ease of movement is every bit as strong as you would expect of a builder with a history in fishing
As ever, the bow arrangement has a direct impact on the cabin, and with those deep decks, diverting inboard short of the forepeak, you do fear for the accommodation. But actually, Wellcraft has been very clever here. There are glazing panels built into the console and the seating unit to introduce extra natural light into the cabin. And it’s worth noting that the cabin itself stops a good way short of the forepeak, ending at the point where the console seat meets the deck.
That’s ideal because it steers clear of the most tapered part of the hull while also avoiding the most critical dip in deckhead height. What we get then, once you’ve made your way through the console’s port side door, with its delightfully overengineered steel hinge and chunky rubber gasket, is 6ft 6in of headroom at the entry point.
The deckhead does then dip above the bed but not critically so, and it’s pretty well appointed too. There are fabric wall linings to keep you comfy at night, plus integrated storage lockers. There are also power points and reading lights at the forward end – and while it’s possible to perch up there against a bank of pillows, those in search of extra space would do well to sit aft.
You get Boston Whaler vibes as you make your way round this boat
The heads compartment adopts another sensible compromise. The sink and vanity unit sit against the aft bulkhead in full view of the rest of the cabin. The shower then sits outboard of that on the starboard side, behind frosted perspex-style bulkheads that stop a foot short of the deckhead for improved light and freshness.
As you might expect, the loo has no option but to sit in the shower itself and while the closing mechanism used to secure the two-part concertina door is a bit of a finger trap, you have to concede that, as a basic space for a weekending couple, it’s perfectly adequate.
Rampant driving machine
The triple helm station is positioned bang in the centre of the deck beneath the shelter of the T-top. The windscreen also flares out at the sides but the console mouldings don’t, so while the central skipper is fully protected, the two co-pilots tend to get a bit of wind blast on the legs and lower body when underway.
The cabin maximises volume by stopping short of the forepeak
The air flow for the skipper is much more controllable than that thanks to a really neat little air vent, comprising a push-button dash flap that lifts up to enable a cooling breeze to flow toward your face from a grate in the front of the console.
It’s a fine position from which to enjoy the performance of this boat, and with the top-rated triple 350s on the transom, there’s certainly plenty to enjoy. With the same hull, the same fine entry, the same plumb bow and the same modest flare as the 38 Explorer, we initially find ourselves topping out at around 52 knots. But with a little trim play and a long run, we do manage to push a touch beyond that to 6,400rpm with 52.7 knots on the clock, 358L/hour flowing from our tanks and 93dB of wind, water and engine noise screaming in our ears.
Apparently, a little bit of trial and error with the props ought to bring 55 knots within reach but if you’re content with more modest performance, even the twin 350s should achieve speeds in the region of 43 knots.
The sink is built into the aft bulkhead in full view of the rest of the cabin
As for the handling, there’s oceans of grip both from the hull and the props, with plenty of composure and great stability in the heel. But it’s really interesting to note how the dynamic alters with an emptying fuel tank. A thousand litres of fuel beneath the deck, a good way forward, does a great job of compensating for the tonne or so of V10 outboards dangling way back off the transom.
In fact, it operates almost like the ballast tank on a race boat, adding a really discernible extra level of control and composure when powering hard through a turn or cleaving a head sea at pace. With the natural balance optimised in this way, you can play at serious pace with something approaching carefree abandon.
When the tank begins to empty, however, the shift in weight distribution sees it feeling much more flighty and wayward at the bow. Rather than simply pinning the throttles and throwing the wheel around, you have to coax and cajole all that power into obedience.
Twin or triple 350hp outboards brings the potential for speeds in excess of 50 knots
So while it might cost a little extra to carry it around, we would be inclined to keep the tank topped up whenever we get the chance – or perhaps investigate the twin rig to see how that compares. The fact that it would help save a few litres of fuel, as well as tweaking the weight distribution, might see it win favour with more buyers than you might at first imagine.
Wellcraft 38 T-Top specification
LOA: 38ft 4in (11.69m)
BEAM: 10ft 9in (3.30m)
DRAFT: 2ft 7in (0.8m)
DISPLACEMENT: 6,400kg (light)
FUEL CAPACITY: 1,006L
WATER CAPACITY: 160L RCD: B8 / C10
ENGINES: Twin or triple 350hp outboards
Wellcraft 38 T-Top costs and options
Price: from €342,000 ex VAT. Test boat includes the following options…
Second MFD
Anchor kit (inc. electric windlass with remote)
Mooring kit (lines and fenders)
Premium audio pack (2 amplifiers, 8 speakers)
Cabin pack (mattress, side trim, reading lights)
Verdict
As the first in Wellcraft’s new series of multi-purpose centre console sports boats, the 38 T-Top is clearly designed to appeal to younger boaters by means of its sporting performance and generous socialising spaces. It’s fair to say that it succeeds in that, but that doesn’t make it unique. After all, there are plenty of other boats with centre consoles, T-Tops, plumb bows and potent outboard rigs that offer much the same order of experience as the Wellcraft. But if you want to enjoy all of those things while adding serious quality of build to the mix, plus an altogether less obvious approach to the deck layouts, this European Powerboat of the Year is a shoe-in for your shortlist.
