Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2011 vs Wellcraft 270 O/B 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2011 vs Wellcraft 270 O/B 2004 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 500 hp, the Wellcraft 270 O/B 2004 has a 350-hp advantage over the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2011'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 270 O/B 2004 carries 188 gallons versus 49 gallons in the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2011. 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 Sportsman 2011 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Wellcraft 270 O/B 2004 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 Sportsman 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2011 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 270 O/B 2004 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 Sportsman
Model270 O/B
Model Year2011
Model Year2004
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 in. (20 cm)
Beam9 ft. 9 in
Beam - Meters0.2
Beam - Meters2.97
Beam - Inches8
Beam - Inches117
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 6 in. (1.37 m) With Bimini Top: 7 ft. 2 in. (2.18 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.18
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches86
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise20°
Deadrise21℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail15 in. (38 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail19 in. apx
Draft [drive up] meters0.38
Draft [drive up] meters0.48
Draft [drive up] inches15
Draft [drive up] inches19
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (81 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. apx
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - Detail2,085 lbs. (945 kg)
Weight - Detail6,235 lbs. apx
Weight - kg945.74
Weight - kg2828.15
Weight - lbs.2085
Weight - lbs.6235
Height [transom]20 in. (50 cm)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet18
Length - Feetnot available
Length overall - Detail18 ft. (5.48 m)
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 1 in. with pulpit
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters8.56
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches337
Height - Detailnot available
Height - DetailBridge clearance without top 7 ft. 1 in. Bridge clearance with hardtop 9 ft. 1 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters2.77
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches109
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail49 gal. (185 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail188 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters185.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters711.66
Fuel tank capacity - Gal49
Fuel tank capacity - Gal188
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max150 hp (111.8 kW)
Engine max500 HP at prop
Operational Info
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 4 in
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity27 gal
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum peopleSleeping capacity 4 Persons