Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2006 boat specs
Wellcraft
Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2006
2006
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Wellcraft 390 2005 boat specs
Wellcraft
Wellcraft 390 2005
2005
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Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2006 vs Wellcraft 390 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2006 vs Wellcraft 390 2005 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 480 hp, the Wellcraft 390 2005 has a 330-hp advantage over the Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2006's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Wellcraft 390 2005 carries 394 gallons versus 49 gallons in the Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2006. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2006 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Wellcraft 390 2005 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Wellcraft 390 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeWellcraft
MakeWellcraft
Model180 Fisherman
Model39
Model Year2006
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft
Beam14 ft. 8 in
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters4.47
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches176
Bridge clearance - DetailWithout Top: 4 ft. 5 in. With Bimini Top: 6 ft. 7 in
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.01
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches79
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise15℃
Draft [max] - Detail15 in
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 11 in. apx. including props
Draft [max] - Meters0.38
Draft [max] - Meters1.19
Draft [max] - Inches15
Draft [max] - Inches47
Weight - Detail1,927 lbs
Weight - Detail25,400 lbs. with twin engine
Weight - kg874.07
Weight - kg11521.24
Weight - lbs.1927
Weight - lbs.254
Height [transom]20 in
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet18
Length - Feetnot available
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Detail44 ft. 7 in
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters13.59
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches535
Height - Detailnot available
Height - DetailBridge clearance (excludes mast light) 7 ft. 11 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters2.41
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches95
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardYamaha F 9
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail49 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail394 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters185.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1491.45
Fuel tank capacity - Gal49
Fuel tank capacity - Gal394
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max150 hp
Engine max480 HP at prop
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Operational Info
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 5 in
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity119 gal
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum peopleSleeping capacity 4 Persons

Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2006 vs Wellcraft 390 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2006 or the Wellcraft 390 2005?
For trailering, the Wellcraft 390 2005 has the edge at 254 lbs dry weight versus 1 927 lbs for the Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2006. 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.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Wellcraft 390 2005 is rated to a maximum of 480 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2006 tops out at 150 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Wellcraft 390 2005 is certified for 4. 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.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Wellcraft 390 2005 measures 176" wide, compared to 96" for the Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2006. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2006 or the Wellcraft 390 2005?
The Wellcraft 390 2005 has the bigger tank at 394 gallons, versus 49 gallons on the Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2006. That 345-gallon difference translates to roughly 1035–1725 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2006 and Wellcraft 390 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2006 and the Wellcraft 390 2005 are built by Wellcraft. 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.