Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Wellcraft 252 Coastal 2009 vs Wellcraft V21 Cuddy 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Wellcraft 252 Coastal 2009 vs Wellcraft V21 Cuddy 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 400 hp, the Wellcraft 252 Coastal 2009 has a 175-hp advantage over the Wellcraft V21 Cuddy 2004's 225-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 V21 Cuddy 2004 carries 77 gallons versus 14 gallons in the Wellcraft 252 Coastal 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 252 Coastal 2009 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Wellcraft V21 Cuddy 2004 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Wellcraft 252 Coastal 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Wellcraft 252 Coastal 2009 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 V21 Cuddy 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeWellcraft
MakeWellcraft
Model252 Coastal
ModelV21 Cuddy
Model Year2009
Model Year2004
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 9 in. (2.66 m)
Beam8 ft. 3 in
Beam - Meters2.67
Beam - Meters2.51
Beam - Inches105
Beam - Inches99
Bridge clearance - DetailWithout Top: 6 ft. (1.83 m) With Bimini Top: 8 ft. (2.43 m) With Hardtop: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise19℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (0.4 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail15 in. apx
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] meters0.38
Draft [drive up] inches16
Draft [drive up] inches15
Draft [max] - Detail29.5 in. (0.75 m)
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. apx
Draft [max] - Meters0.76
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inches29.5
Draft [max] - Inches31
Weight - Detail4,360 lbs. (1,978 kg)
Weight - Detail2,960 lbs. apx
Weight - kg1977.66
Weight - kg1342.63
Weight - lbs.436
Weight - lbs.296
Length - Feet24.33
Length - Feetnot available
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 4 in. (7.42 m)
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 10 in
Length overall - Meters7.42
Length overall - Meters6.65
Length overall - Inches292
Length overall - Inches262
Height - Detailnot available
Height - DetailBridge clearance without top 4 ft. 9 in. Bridge clearance with bimini top 6 ft. 9 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters2.06
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches81
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]25 in
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail140 gal. (530 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail77 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters529.96
Fuel tank capacity - Liters291.48
Fuel tank capacity - Gal14
Fuel tank capacity - Gal77
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max400 hp (298 kW)
Engine max225 HP at prop
Operational Info
Water capacity9 gal. (34 l)
Water capacitynot available