Wellcraft 22 Walkaround I/O 2004 boat specs
Wellcraft
Wellcraft 22 Walkaround I/O 2004
2004
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VS
Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2011 boat specs
Wellcraft
Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2011
2011
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Wellcraft 22 Walkaround I/O 2004 vs Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Wellcraft 22 Walkaround I/O 2004 vs Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2011 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 450 hp, the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2011 has a 150-hp advantage over the Wellcraft 22 Walkaround I/O 2004's 300-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 22 Walkaround I/O 2004 carries 99 gallons versus 18 gallons in the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 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 252 Fisherman 2011 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Wellcraft 22 Walkaround I/O 2004 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 24,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Wellcraft 22 Walkaround I/O 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeWellcraft
MakeWellcraft
Model22 Walkaround I/O
Model252 Fisherman
Model Year2004
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 2 in
Beam8 ft. 9 in. (2.66 m)
Beam - Meters2.49
Beam - Meters2.67
Beam - Inches98
Beam - Inches105
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise20°
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. apx
Draft [max] - Detail29 ft. 5 in. (8.96 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters8.97
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches353
Weight - Detail4,600 lbs. apx. with Volvo 5.0 OSI XDP
Weight - Detail4,680 lbs. (2,122 kg)
Weight - kg2086.52
Weight - kg2122.81
Weight - lbs.46
Weight - lbs.468
Height - DetailBridge clearance without top 5 ft. 7 in. Bridge clearance with hardtop 8 ft. 2 in. Bridge clearance with bimini top 7 ft. 0 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters2.49
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches98
Height - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 10 in. with pulpit
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 4 in. (7.41 m)
Length overall - Meters6.96
Length overall - Meters7.42
Length overall - Inches274
Length overall - Inches292
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - DetailWith T-top: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.48 m)
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (40 cm)
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches16
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet24.33
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail99 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail180 gal. (681 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters374.76
Fuel tank capacity - Liters681.37
Fuel tank capacity - Gal99
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Engine max300 HP at prop
Engine max450 hp (335.5 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 0 in
Headroomnot available
Maximum peopleSleeping capacity 2 Persons
Maximum peoplenot available
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity8 gal. (30 l)

Wellcraft 22 Walkaround I/O 2004 vs Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2011 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Wellcraft 22 Walkaround I/O 2004 or the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2011?
For trailering, the Wellcraft 22 Walkaround I/O 2004 has the edge at 46 lbs dry weight versus 468 lbs for the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 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.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2011 is rated to a maximum of 450 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Wellcraft 22 Walkaround I/O 2004 tops out at 300 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 22 Walkaround I/O 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 2 passengers, while the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2011 is certified for 7. 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 252 Fisherman 2011 measures 105" wide, compared to 98" for the Wellcraft 22 Walkaround I/O 2004. 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 22 Walkaround I/O 2004 or the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2011?
The Wellcraft 22 Walkaround I/O 2004 has the bigger tank at 99 gallons, versus 18 gallons on the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2011. That 81-gallon difference translates to roughly 243–405 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Wellcraft 22 Walkaround I/O 2004 and Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2011 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Wellcraft 22 Walkaround I/O 2004 and the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2011 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.