Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2009 vs Wellcraft 30 Scarab® Sport 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2009 against a deep vee Wellcraft 30 Scarab® Sport 2011 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Wellcraft 30 Scarab® Sport 2011 measures 30,2 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 12,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2009 at 18,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Wellcraft 30 Scarab® Sport 2011 tips the scales at 7 275 lbs — 5 348 lbs less than the Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2009 at 1 927 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 600 hp, the Wellcraft 30 Scarab® Sport 2011 has a 450-hp advantage over the Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2009'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 30 Scarab® Sport 2011 carries 288 gallons versus 49 gallons in the Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2009. 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 30 Scarab® Sport 2011 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2009 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Wellcraft 30 Scarab® Sport 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Wellcraft 30 Scarab® Sport 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 30,2 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Wellcraft 180 Fisherman 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeWellcraft
MakeWellcraft
Model180 Fisherman
Model30 Scarab® Sport
Model Year2009
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. (2.44 m)
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches11
Bridge clearance - DetailWithout Top: 4 ft. 5 in. (1.37 m) With Bimini Top: 6 ft. 7 in. (2.01 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail8 ft. 2 in. (2.48 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.01
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Inches79
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise23°
Draft [drive up] - Detail15 in. (0.38 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in. (58 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.38
Draft [drive up] meters0.58
Draft [drive up] inches15
Draft [drive up] inches23
Weight - Detail1,927 lbs. (874 kg)
Weight - Detail7,275 lbs. (3,299 kg)
Weight - kg874.07
Weight - kg3299.88
Weight - lbs.1927
Weight - lbs.7275
Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet30.17
Length overall - Detail18 ft. (5.48 m)
Length overall - Detail30 ft. 2 in. (9.19 m)
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters9.19
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches362
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (78 cm)
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches31
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail49 gal. (185.5 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail288 gal. (1,090 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters185.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1090.2
Fuel tank capacity - Gal49
Fuel tank capacity - Gal288
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp (111.9 kW)
Engine max600 hp (447.4 kW)
Operational Info
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity13 gal. (49 l)