It's so great to see Wellcraft producing cruisers again. I owned a 43' Wellcraft Portofino (14' beam) for 10 years. Great looking express cruiser with, down below, 6'4" headroom, nice lounge, bar, and even a nice area in the saloon for some free standing chairs and table - residential style, a great separate circular shower, but it was the U-shaped galley on the first gen that made me prefer that era vs the newer one that added another cabin to starboard with bunk beds). Before that, I had 290 express cruiser, a 20 bowrider, and many years before that, my Dad had a 260 Aft-Cabin. So it really hurt me when they exited the cruiser market. This, along with the 435, have a look that I really like. Much more so than what Sea Ray is doing. It's also great to see what 'appears' to be a big jump in quality from the old days. I will say however, is that everything from the glory days, (especially glorious for Wellcraft thanks to the impact of "Miami Vice" & Don Johnson, who was professionally racing Scarabs to the extent that Wellcraft couldn't build ALL of their Scarab models fast enough, and of course, that got dreamers into the showrooms and boatyards at which point reality and the WIFE would smack some reality into things and they would end up with boats more affordable and more family friendly. Wellcraft was so appreciative of the impact of Don Johnson and Miami Vice that they GAVE HIM a 38' Scarab! - The model they used in the show (except for the 1st season which was a Chris-Craft). Yes, I know the brand has nothing to do with the old Wellcraft factory in Sarasota, FL that's long since closed doors, it's great to see the familiar logos, badges, and emblems. I'd like to touch and feel the materials and take a close look at the quality of the build, wiring, ease of service, and things like that. I've watched a few reviews, but still don't know if they're using solid wood in the cabin, or laminate over MDF (which I really hope isn't the case). I was glad to see they're using real leather in places like the dash, Corian for the galley, lots of stainless steel. Me? I LOVE the profile. The wheelhouse looks serious, and the hull with the bow that is almost, if not, 100% vertical, reminds me of the classic Chris-Craft woodies.
H Jack, it’s so nice to see you with your own channel, you were by far the best presenter on the magazine you were with, I wish you all the best with this venture and look forward to more reviews. Thank you
Excellent in-depth review, nice boat! Once the European touch is put on a boat they become so much nicer than the American brands. A lot nice finish’s!
Wow the three main UK based channels are bringing us some great boat vids and this one is fantastic, I'd definitely be more than happy with this boat. 👍 Oh and rumour has it when you were filming this at 1:30, wherever he was in the world, Nick's ears pricked up. 🤣🤪👍❤️🇬🇧
I looked at this beast at this years Düsseldorf show. Fantastic boat and great design touches. I was expecting mass market quality (given the brands owner), but it surprised me. Only thing is it’s price tag, for only one cabin, there are other options for the price that have more berth space.
Hi Jack, been watching you for years now and just love your new channel! Any chance you can review the new NIMBUS 465/495 fly bridge??? Would love to hear what you think!
Great review! I'm a bit out the loop, but is this a new venture for you, or are you still with Motorboat and Yachting? Whatever, I always look forward to your reviews. Much more informative and savvy than others I could mention! Keep up the great work!
In the Uk £160 an hour at cruising speeds? 30 knots, nip over to Cherboug from the Solent and back. £700 ish? Now, in my old Contessa , ok it takes 11 hours but! I'd save around £650, much more if the wind is blowing. Now lets say that I can buy a decent bottle of wine in Cherbourg at £8? £700 diveded by 8 = 87.5 bottles of wine. Bettter still a nice dinner in Omonville and croque monsieur for breakfast and only save £550. Maybe I am just getting old. A power boat for sure some day but with a range a fuel consumption that gets me places. Love the video and thankfully we are not all the same😀
Nice boat and you always make a good video , does it really need 3 motors , when one could have 2 x 450 hp Mercury ,would be nice to see a test on that set up and Sharrow props , Heavier and seems well built than some of the other stepped hull ideas . Not so much hollow noise through the hull . Best of luck on your new venture and will keep watching . The wife might cringe when I say it is your turn ££ to fill our boat up . Still she might get her Nectar points and be HAPPY ? My type of boat these days .
Great video and a nice boat but quite a lot different to the Axopars. It looks far more beamy. The Axopars are like an arrow slicing effortlessly through the water. The Axopars also have full depth walk-around decks.
Thanks for a terrific video and review. I had high hopes for the Wellcraft 355 but I was disappointed by the helm. I am quite tall and I found the view forward too limited when standing due to the downsloping roof with resulting smallish forward windshield. Also the helm seat is pushed hard to the starboard wall and the headliner was no more than 1" or so from the right side of my head when seated. It felt uncomfortably close and I foresaw head knocks when barreling through rough seas. But the 355 has a lot to like.
Loving your new channel Jack, and I really hate to put in a criticism at this early stage but the background music in these videos is a catastrophe - really cheapens everything. But I love your reviewing style and wish you all the best with the channel.
Totally agree with you David, unfortunately nearly all media seems to be run by music editors who feel the need to justify their existence to the detriment of the viewer's enjoyment
Cool boat, but hard pass. I don't understand how Beneteau group's power boats command the price they do. If this is made like the rest of the BeneJeaneauteau offerings, which is to say interior materials that look, feel, function and smell like cheap Indiana Warren Buffet specials, this boat should not be north of $500k in the US. At that price you're passing on Targa, Sargo, Nimbus, Galeon, etc... And that is absolutely insane.
@@HarryShagnasty-sc9zd then you should know something about fuel consumption of power boats. You should also know that power boats are cheaper to run regardless the fuel.
You can read our FULL Review (inc: ratings, deck plans and a full list of rivals) here: www.yachtbuyer.com/en/reviews/wellcraft-355-2022
Excellent commentary. Film your own reviews. You don't need a camera person.
Film the boat while talking not yourself. Manage ego.
Can you raise each engine individualy ??
It's so great to see Wellcraft producing cruisers again. I owned a 43' Wellcraft Portofino (14' beam) for 10 years. Great looking express cruiser with, down below, 6'4" headroom, nice lounge, bar, and even a nice area in the saloon for some free standing chairs and table - residential style, a great separate circular shower, but it was the U-shaped galley on the first gen that made me prefer that era vs the newer one that added another cabin to starboard with bunk beds). Before that, I had 290 express cruiser, a 20 bowrider, and many years before that, my Dad had a 260 Aft-Cabin. So it really hurt me when they exited the cruiser market.
This, along with the 435, have a look that I really like. Much more so than what Sea Ray is doing.
It's also great to see what 'appears' to be a big jump in quality from the old days. I will say however, is that everything from the glory days, (especially glorious for Wellcraft thanks to the impact of "Miami Vice" & Don Johnson, who was professionally racing Scarabs to the extent that Wellcraft couldn't build ALL of their Scarab models fast enough, and of course, that got dreamers into the showrooms and boatyards at which point reality and the WIFE would smack some reality into things and they would end up with boats more affordable and more family friendly. Wellcraft was so appreciative of the impact of Don Johnson and Miami Vice that they GAVE HIM a 38' Scarab! - The model they used in the show (except for the 1st season which was a Chris-Craft). Yes, I know the brand has nothing to do with the old Wellcraft factory in Sarasota, FL that's long since closed doors, it's great to see the familiar logos, badges, and emblems.
I'd like to touch and feel the materials and take a close look at the quality of the build, wiring, ease of service, and things like that. I've watched a few reviews, but still don't know if they're using solid wood in the cabin, or laminate over MDF (which I really hope isn't the case). I was glad to see they're using real leather in places like the dash, Corian for the galley, lots of stainless steel.
Me? I LOVE the profile. The wheelhouse looks serious, and the hull with the bow that is almost, if not, 100% vertical, reminds me of the classic Chris-Craft woodies.
H Jack, it’s so nice to see you with your own channel, you were by far the best presenter on the magazine you were with, I wish you all the best with this venture and look forward to more reviews. Thank you
Thanks Peter, I appreciate that - Jack
Excellent in-depth review, nice boat! Once the European touch is put on a boat they become so much nicer than the American brands. A lot nice finish’s!
Wow the three main UK based channels are bringing us some great boat vids and this one is fantastic, I'd definitely be more than happy with this boat. 👍
Oh and rumour has it when you were filming this at 1:30, wherever he was in the world, Nick's ears pricked up. 🤣🤪👍❤️🇬🇧
😉😎
I looked at this beast at this years Düsseldorf show. Fantastic boat and great design touches. I was expecting mass market quality (given the brands owner), but it surprised me. Only thing is it’s price tag, for only one cabin, there are other options for the price that have more berth space.
This channel is a gem
Fantastic review 👍 well done Jack 👌
Nice boat and an another awesome review!
The best one out there
Nice one,Jack. Would love to see you review a Formula some time.
Moving boat reviews up a gear. It seems like a great boat for our climate.
Thanks for watching, Peter 👍
Looks like it beat the finns:)
Hi Jack, been watching you for years now and just love your new channel! Any chance you can review the new NIMBUS 465/495 fly bridge??? Would love to hear what you think!
Thanks very much, I appreciate the support! We’ll do our best… - Jack
Great review! I'm a bit out the loop, but is this a new venture for you, or are you still with Motorboat and Yachting? Whatever, I always look forward to your reviews. Much more informative and savvy than others I could mention! Keep up the great work!
Hi Richard, I’m no longer with MBY, this is my new home 👍 - Jack
In the Uk £160 an hour at cruising speeds? 30 knots, nip over to Cherboug from the Solent and back. £700 ish? Now, in my old Contessa , ok it takes 11 hours but! I'd save around £650, much more if the wind is blowing. Now lets say that I can buy a decent bottle of wine in Cherbourg at £8? £700 diveded by 8 = 87.5 bottles of wine. Bettter still a nice dinner in Omonville and croque monsieur for breakfast and only save £550. Maybe I am just getting old. A power boat for sure some day but with a range a fuel consumption that gets me places. Love the video and thankfully we are not all the same😀
I'd take Wellcraft and 87.5 bottles of wine. Plus dinner
If you count the fuel in less than 1000£ you are probably not the target customer 🤷♂️
Nice boat and you always make a good video , does it really need 3 motors , when one could have 2 x 450 hp Mercury ,would be nice to see a test on that set up and Sharrow props , Heavier and seems well built than some of the other stepped hull ideas . Not so much hollow noise through the hull . Best of luck on your new venture and will keep watching . The wife might cringe when I say it is your turn ££ to fill our boat up . Still she might get her Nectar points and be HAPPY ? My type of boat these days .
Great video and a nice boat but quite a lot different to the Axopars. It looks far more beamy. The Axopars are like an arrow slicing effortlessly through the water.
The Axopars also have full depth walk-around decks.
Love this boat, but needs a second cabin for the kids
That would be a nice addition 👍
Another very good 👍 review, but please keep details/stats on screen a little longer! Also, Wellcraft spelt with a "k" is incorrect!
Thanks for a terrific video and review. I had high hopes for the Wellcraft 355 but I was disappointed by the helm. I am quite tall and I found the view forward too limited when standing due to the downsloping roof with resulting smallish forward windshield. Also the helm seat is pushed hard to the starboard wall and the headliner was no more than 1" or so from the right side of my head when seated. It felt uncomfortably close and I foresaw head knocks when barreling through rough seas. But the 355 has a lot to like.
Thanks for watching, John! 👍
Another good size small boat 🙂 Surprised we haven't seen the Sargo 45 yet Jack ?,
She’s on the way, don’t worry 😊
another great video. When will you be getting your hands on a super yacht for a test ride...??
Soon 😉
Loving your new channel Jack, and I really hate to put in a criticism at this early stage but the background music in these videos is a catastrophe - really cheapens everything.
But I love your reviewing style and wish you all the best with the channel.
Totally agree with you David, unfortunately nearly all media seems to be run by music editors who feel the need to justify their existence to the detriment of the viewer's enjoyment
Thanks for the comment, David, we’ll play with the music 👍
Are outboards diese or petrol
Petrol in this case
Think I would buy a second hand fly bridge boat for that money.
💙👍
would love to see ...2x 600Hp....on it
😱😱
😉🤔
SO would I , who's turn for a fuel fill up ? my oil well is getting low .
@@allsearpw3829 True... it's my turn. There will be times, it is illigal to use non electrical motors.
More than 11m and only 1 Cabin…no thank you…
Cool boat, but hard pass. I don't understand how Beneteau group's power boats command the price they do. If this is made like the rest of the BeneJeaneauteau offerings, which is to say interior materials that look, feel, function and smell like cheap Indiana Warren Buffet specials, this boat should not be north of $500k in the US. At that price you're passing on Targa, Sargo, Nimbus, Galeon, etc... And that is absolutely insane.
The Wellcraft is a much better boat in my opinion. Axopar is for novices.
It’s not a Wellcraft that’s for sure
Well-crafted I can tell u now it's no good
Hahaha 120L/H is not much at all? Where do you live? In venezuela?
He is correct. That is not much considering this consumption is at 30kn. You are not mich into boats probably?
I am into boats and went over 30 without consuming a drop of fuel
@@HarryShagnasty-sc9zd then you should know something about fuel consumption of power boats. You should also know that power boats are cheaper to run regardless the fuel.