Weldcraft Marine 256 2011 boat specs
Weld-Craft
Weldcraft Marine 256 2011
2011
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VS
Weldcraft Marine Tournament Sportsman 205  2007 boat specs
Weld-Craft
Weldcraft Marine Tournament Sportsman 205 2007
2007
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Weldcraft Marine 256 2011 vs Weldcraft Marine Tournament Sportsman 205 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Weldcraft Marine 256 2011 vs Weldcraft Marine Tournament Sportsman 205 2007 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Weldcraft Marine 256 2011 measures 25,2 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 23,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Weldcraft Marine Tournament Sportsman 205 2007 at 2,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Weldcraft Marine 256 2011 tips the scales at 2 225 lbs — 139 lbs more than the Weldcraft Marine Tournament Sportsman 205 2007 at 2 086 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Weldcraft Marine 256 2011 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Weldcraft Marine Tournament Sportsman 205 2007 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Weldcraft Marine 256 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Weldcraft Marine 256 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 25,2 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Weldcraft Marine Tournament Sportsman 205 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeWeldcraft Marine
MakeWeldcraft Marine
Model256
ModelTournament Sportsman 205
Model Year2011
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam102 in
Beam102 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Deadrise24℃ bow entry 24℃ forward entry 9℃ transom
Deadrise26℃ bow variable to 16℃ at transom
Weight - Detail2,225 lbs
Weight - Detail2,086 lbs
Weight - kg1009.24
Weight - kg946.19
Weight - lbs.2225
Weight - lbs.2086
Height - DetailSides: 34 x 0.125 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches0.125
Height - Inchesnot available
Length - Feet25.17
Length - Feet2
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 6 in
Length overall - Meters7.67
Length overall - Meters6.25
Length overall - Inches302
Length overall - Inches246
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches6
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail62 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail62 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters234.7
Fuel tank capacity - Liters234.7
Fuel tank capacity - Gal62
Fuel tank capacity - Gal62
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard

Weldcraft Marine 256 2011 vs Weldcraft Marine Tournament Sportsman 205 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Weldcraft Marine 256 2011 or the Weldcraft Marine Tournament Sportsman 205 2007?
The Weldcraft Marine 256 2011 is the longer of the two at 25,2 feet overall. The Weldcraft Marine Tournament Sportsman 205 2007 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 23,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Weldcraft Marine 256 2011 or the Weldcraft Marine Tournament Sportsman 205 2007?
For trailering, the Weldcraft Marine Tournament Sportsman 205 2007 has the edge at 2 086 lbs dry weight versus 2 225 lbs for the Weldcraft Marine 256 2011. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Weldcraft Marine 256 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Weldcraft Marine Tournament Sportsman 205 2007 is certified for 6. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?
Both the Weldcraft Marine 256 2011 and Weldcraft Marine Tournament Sportsman 205 2007 share an 102 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Weldcraft Marine 256 2011 and Weldcraft Marine Tournament Sportsman 205 2007?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 62 gallons and 62 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.
Are the Weldcraft Marine 256 2011 and Weldcraft Marine Tournament Sportsman 205 2007 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Weldcraft Marine 256 2011 and the Weldcraft Marine Tournament Sportsman 205 2007 are built by Weld-Craft. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.