Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Wellcraft 220 Sportsman 2008 vs Wellcraft 270 I/O 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Wellcraft 220 Sportsman 2008 vs Wellcraft 270 I/O 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 I/O 2004 has a 250-hp advantage over the Wellcraft 220 Sportsman 2008's 250-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 I/O 2004 carries 188 gallons versus 1 gallons in the Wellcraft 220 Sportsman 2008. 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 220 Sportsman 2008 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Wellcraft 270 I/O 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 220 Sportsman 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Wellcraft 220 Sportsman 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Wellcraft 270 I/O 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
Model220 Sportsman
Model270 I/O
Model Year2008
Model Year2004
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)
Beam9 ft. 9 in
Beam - Meters2.51
Beam - Meters2.97
Beam - Inches99
Beam - Inches117
Bridge clearance - DetailWithout top: 5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m) With bimini top: 6 ft. 9 in. (2.05 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.06
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches81
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise21℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail15 in. (0.38)
Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. apx
Draft [drive up] meters0.38
Draft [drive up] meters0.56
Draft [drive up] inches15
Draft [drive up] inches22
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (0.68)
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. apx
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches33
Draft [max] - Inches4
Weight - Detail3,215 lbs. (1,458 kg)
Weight - Detail7,800 lbs. with Volvo 8.1 GI DP apx
Weight - kg1458.3
Weight - kg3538.02
Weight - lbs.3215
Weight - lbs.78
Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters7.07
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet22
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Inches4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 4 in. (7.07 m)
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 1 in. with pulpit
Length overall - Meters6.81
Length overall - Meters8.56
Length overall - Inches268
Length overall - Inches337
Height - Detailnot available
Height - DetailBridge clearance with hard top 9 ft. 3 in. Bridge clearance with bimini top 8 ft. 4 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters2.82
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches111
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail100 gal. (375 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail188 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54
Fuel tank capacity - Liters711.66
Fuel tank capacity - Gal1
Fuel tank capacity - Gal188
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max250 hp (186 kW)
Engine max500 HP at prop
Operational Info
Water capacity8 gal. (30.3 l)
Water capacity27 gal
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 4 in
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum peopleSleeping capacity 4 Persons