A mysterious boat...maybe Wellcraft ???

[brizio]

Hello friends! I'm newly registered, from Italy !

I have a big problem...I bought last year a wonderful ( just 4 me ! ) boat that the vendor sold me as a Wellcraft... and told me that is a 240cc or a 24.40cc , with a Mercruiser 5.7 I/O 260hp
But I'm not sure if it's really a Wellcraft, and I don't know anything about the model.
No documents, no information, nothing is written inside the boat, except of a sticky on the lateral side ....that says.."Wellcraft" !! I've searched a lot surfing the web ( past catalogues, Wellcraft site etc etc.. ), but no information....

I've noticed that the hull is similar to V20.....

So, any help will be very appreciated, if anyone can tell me something about this mysterious boat !

Here are some photos.


http://www.fabrizioronco.com/wellcraft/photo1.jpg

http://www.fabrizioronco.com/wellcraft/photo2.jpg

http://www.fabrizioronco.com/wellcraft/photo3.jpg

http://www.fabrizioronco.com/wellcraft/photo4.jpg

http://www.fabrizioronco.com/wellcraft/photo5.jpg

http://www.fabrizioronco.com/wellcraft/photo6.jpg

http://www.fabrizioronco.com/wellcraft/photo7.jpg

http://www.fabrizioronco.com/wellcraft/photo8.jpg

http://www.fabrizioronco.com/wellcraft/photo9.jpg

http://www.fabrizioronco.com/wellcraft/photo10.jpg


Thanks !!!!!!!

[tsubaki]

Don't care if it ain't, SWEET!
Post the hull ID numbers, it should have WEL in it.

[brizio]

that's the matter....the hull id number is nowhere to be found.... :((

[spareparts]

doesn't look like any Wellcraft I've ever seen. looks good though!

[tsubaki]

Best I can tell, it has several combination's of differing hull and floor layout.
The hook along the gunwale is somewhat prevalent for the Scarab Sport but the very open room for the C/C don't look like the Scarab. I'm still trying to figure out the hull.
Nice layout overall.

[brizio]

could it be a customized model ???

However thanks !!!!!!!

[reelapeelin]

You've won "Stump The Panel" so far here...damn if I know what it is except it's a real beauty and somebody's done some nice work on it!!...

Suggest you post these pics on www.thehulltruth.com and see if anyone there comes up with it...I think it's one of the Scarab hulls as mentioned above...whatever, it's a helluva nice boat!!...:clap:

[brizio]

....I did all the work, it took me several months, but the result is quite good.... :))))

the problem is that I must identify the model to extend navigation limits from 6 to 12 miles...in Italy we need a certification ( maybe will be the same in the States ) and without knowing the exact model we cannot obtain it....

[THEFERMANATOR]

It looks an awful lot like a SEARAY fisherman model from the mid 90's. WELLCRAFT did make a SKIPJACK copy that had a hull like this, but it had a flybridge up top. I see it has a BROVO 2 leg on it, and appears to be a sharp entry to it like a HUNT deep V. Could also be one of the very early NOVA hulls converted over to the center console.

[reelapeelin]

....I did all the work, it took me several months, but the result is quite good.... :))))

the problem is that I must identify the model to extend navigation limits from 6 to 12 miles...in Italy we need a certification ( maybe will be the same in the States ) and without knowing the exact model we cannot obtain it....


And you're SURE there's no number below the rub rail on the starboard transom...:head:

[brizio]

...I m quite sure.....I've searched a lot, and very well....anyway, tomorrow I will take a look again....


thank you very much to all of you !!!!!! :)

[nipper]

I cannot help you identify the make/model, but I did want to take a moment to compliment you on your boat. It is beautiful. I really like the full transom swim platform. I agree with Reel that your boat looks new enough that it should have the hull ID number stamped into the transom on the starboard side just below the rub rail. If your boat has been painted, perhaps it has been painted over.

[brizio]

Ok guys ! that's what I ***8217;ll do ..... tomorrow I'll dedicate the entire day ( once again ) to make a through ispection of the boat. Last time I did it,unfortunately, nothing was found.
But just one question ...do I have to search this damn HIN inside or outside the boat ???
Surely the hull has been repainted....
And probably I know why there are no documents.....the vendor that sold me the boat probably knows that wasn't a WC .....but I don't want to bore you with this neverending story....maybe those two sticker were putted to justify the fake......
but you know... the boat really looks like an old fashioned beauty...and I bought it !
I wanna thank again all the people in this forum...and...sorry for my english ***8230;.I hope It***8217;s not so terrible ;)
Fabrizio

[RidgeRunner]

At first glance I say it ain't a Scaraab. It does have the Sea Ray hook. A real beauty either way.
Maybe it is a Scaraab, they have similar lines. It has a stiffener built into the side that runs the length of the boat.

[Stinky_Hooker]

I dont know how stout the laws and such are there but if you cant find anything why not make (or have made) a stamped plate yourself? Make it whatever you want just to get her registered and rivet to the hull somewhere? I would think on a boat that customized its gotten glassed or sanded over at some point.


Either way she is GORGEOUS...very nice find! :clap:

[RWilson2526]

But just one question ...do I have to search this damn HIN inside or outside the boat ???


If it is a wellcraft or any other american made boat I think the id number should be in the white area below...I wouldnt waste my time looking anywhere else for it as supposedly there is frequently a hidden number but its usually concealed below rub rails or hidden somewhere that would required tearing the boat apart.. Like said its probably been glassed and or painted over. Wellcraft does have a decent name but its hard to believe somebody would perpetrate a forgery to make it a wellcraft. I agree with Stinky though....just pick a model, make up and id plate and get your certification....and to comment on your earlier post...no here in the states you can take whatever boat you want as far out as you have the guts to go....no special registration needed.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc48/Rwilson2526/photo1.jpg

[reelapeelin]

Ok guys ! that's what I ’ll do ..... tomorrow I'll dedicate the entire day ( once again ) to make a through ispection of the boat. Last time I did it,unfortunately, nothing was found.
But just one question ...do I have to search this damn HIN inside or outside the boat ???
Surely the hull has been repainted....
And probably I know why there are no documents.....the vendor that sold me the boat probably knows that wasn't a WC .....but I don't want to bore you with this neverending story....maybe those two sticker were putted to justify the fake......
but you know... the boat really looks like an old fashioned beauty...and I bought it !
I wanna thank again all the people in this forum...and...sorry for my english ….I hope It’s not so terrible ;)
Fabrizio

Here's where you should find the HIN...if you're standing behind the boat, it should be BELOW the rub rail ...the numbers are generally molded into the hull in that location

In the photo below, the numbers are a different color than the surrounding area...

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/reelapeelin/IMGP0410.jpg

since your hull has been painted, it could be easily overlooked as the numbers are not deeply molded into the surface and could be filled in

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/reelapeelin/IMGP0409.jpg

For instance on the boat above, you would look closely at the transom just below the rub rail to the right of the motor (starboard side)

Another thing you might try...get the numbers off the outdrive, see if the manufacturer can tell you where that particular unit went...they MIGHT be able to steer you to the boat maker...

and again, I would urge you to post this boat on THT.com for identification...I posted the site address above...

[RWilson2526]

he's got it up there to at THT...they are just as baffled as we are.

[willy]

I believe that is a Scarab Hull, it does have some differences but that could be for a foreign market. The transom dead rise looks to be about 24 degrees.
Did he say what the hull length is, looks to be about 23-24'

[brizio]

yessss, you're right.....it's 24'

[tsubaki]

From what I remember there was a duplicate set of HID numbers on the interior port side about 3/4 the way forward within an inch or so of where the top and hull are pieced together. Don't know what year they started doing this.
The boat keeps me wanting to say it originally was a few feet longer than it is now. For some reason it looks like it might have originally been setup for outboards but later the entire transom was cut off and adapted for I/O.
Been looking at several sites to try to make out the gunwale design and the Carolina flare with no success.
I'm still lost.

[tsubaki]

brizio, don't be tempted to try to register the boat as anything other than what it is, hopefully with the correct HID numbers.
Over here there is a whole lot of hoops you must jump through in order to get current numbers for a salvaged/rebuilt/homemade boat. The last aggravation is a Coast Guard anal probe of the boat. They will even need to run a machine across the glass work in various locations in order to verify it's seaworthiness, not to mention all the other stuff to comply. Most homemade boats fail the inspection and it attracts a lot of scrutiny with boats over 16'.
Still, very nice boat!

[nipper]

Fabrizio, no problem with your English. It is excellent. I admire you Europeans for your abilities to speak 2 or more languages.

It would be great to solve the mystery, but maybe it does not matter much. I know you would like to be legal and have the 12 mile certification, but what do you think the chances are of getting stopped between the 6 and 12 mile limits and asked for your certification? If you do get stopped and do not have the certification, how severe would the penalty be?

[brizio]

...chanches to get stopped between 6 and 12 miles unfortunately are too high.....the coast guard in this period is increasing checks.....and the penalty is ....first a fine....but there'also, as an option (!), the confiscation of the boat....

You know...it wouldn't be so nice......

But having a "fishing machine" without leaving the 6 miles' limit is just like having a car and then walk.....

However, I want to explain better my problem.

I do not have to "register" the boat, in Italy is not required if the boats doesn't exceed 26 '; I have to identify the model year, because boats that were build BEFORE 1996, without CE ( european certification ), can obtain this kind of extension ( 6 to 12 ) .....but without documents, hin, or similar you cannot demonstrate that the boat was made before this year....

And obviously who issues the certificate to extend navigation 's limits requested me the HIN to identify 4 the model year.....

that's all....

[reelapeelin]

I hate to even bring it up as it sounds like water under the bridge...was there no "Bill of Sale" when you bought it?...did the insurer not request HIN?...I despise paperwork, but situations like yours, point out the importance...
I mean did you simply hand him the money and he handed you the boat?...and I'm not tryin to sound judgmental here...please don't misread...I'm just tryin to uncover some means of solving your delima...

Are there any numbers on the outdrive?...

[brizio]

I hate to even bring it up as it sounds like water under the bridge...was there no "Bill of Sale" when you bought it?...did the insurer not request HIN?...I despise paperwork, but situations like yours, point out the importance...
I mean did you simply hand him the money and he handed you the boat?...and I'm not tryin to sound judgmental here...please don't misread...I'm just tryin to uncover some means of solving your delima...

Are there any numbers on the outdrive?...

The boat was repowered in 2001, so the numbers on outdrive doesn't match the boat year....

I simply hand him the maney, you're right, and I have also paperworks, but the justice in Italy is very bad, I called a lawyer taht told me not to proceed against the vendor, due to the low possibilities to obtain something....

Don't worry, I know that your words weren't judgmental....:)

[brizio]

.....errata corrige ..."MONEY" not maney !!!! damn keyboard !!!!!!1

[RidgeRunner]

The Scarab had a lower transom at the rear. IMO But is it has been shortened that might be it. I don't think Wellcraft had molds stricktly for European production. Can you tell if the hull has coring on the inside? If the hull is cored that might be a little easier to identify. Avance? Sessa? What is the beam?

[willy]

It is odd to me, you see it has the Scarab hull lines from the profile but is has the Formula 233 transom and bow contours.

[brizio]

that's it ! I ve identyfied some models that seems very similar.....

One of the best manufacturere is Bluefin, boat deck also is similar....

http://it.boats.com/listing/gallery.jsp?entityid=113314481&mid=1153&ceid=321276&galleryBack=%2Fboat-details%2FBlackfin-Combi%2F113314481%3Fr%3D113314481%26entityid%3D113 314481&pic=1

let's have a look...however later I'll post other photos of my boat

What I'm doing now is taking a look at ALL the boat listed in boats.com....terrifying..believe me !!!! :)

However this afternoon I've searched and searched...inside, outside the boat....no hid at all.....

The only thing that is curious is that my boat has a reverse bow, as you can see in Donzi for example....I'm going to believe that could be a hull that was first opened, disassembled and then customized......I don't konw...

@ RidgeRunner ....what does it means "the hull has coring"... I cannot translate it ....sorry :)

[willy]

I don't think that is your boat, and a cored hull is when there is an inside laminate (fiberglass) and an outside laminate(fiberglass) and in between the two is another material, usually some type of foam (hard).
It is the way some boats are manufactured, some are cored only above the water line. Some, like certain year Luhr's were even cored below the water line. As we used to say when I was stationed in Vicenza "no f*ckin buono" below the water line.
The lines of your boat are very similar to the Scarab hull from Wellcraft, the big difference is the stern. But manufacturers used to put a plug in their molds in the rear to change the stern or to shorten the length of the hull.
The big issue for me is the front of your boat, looking at it from the front looks very much like the older Formula 233.

[RidgeRunner]

Thunderbird center console from the 1970's They made I/O's too. The front does look like a Formula, so does the Thunderbird. The cap and liner are different. Still looking..