The Wellcraft 243 Fisherman 2022 vs Wellcraft 262 Fisherman 2022 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Wellcraft 243 Fisherman 2022 at 24,4 ft versus Wellcraft 262 Fisherman 2022 at 26,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Wellcraft 262 Fisherman 2022 tips the scales at 6 800 lbs - 1 900 lbs less than the Wellcraft 243 Fisherman 2022 at 4 900 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 350 hp, the Wellcraft 243 Fisherman 2022 has a 100-hp advantage over the Wellcraft 262 Fisherman 2022's 250-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 158 gal and 158 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Wellcraft 262 Fisherman 2022 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Wellcraft 243 Fisherman 2022 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Wellcraft 262 Fisherman 2022 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Wellcraft 262 Fisherman 2022 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 8 passengers and at 26,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Wellcraft 243 Fisherman 2022 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.