Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2012 vs Wellcraft 35 Sport 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2012 vs Wellcraft 35 Sport 2007 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Wellcraft 35 Sport 2007 measures 35,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 10,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2012 at 24,3 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2012 tips the scales at 468 lbs — 382 lbs more than the Wellcraft 35 Sport 2007 at 86 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 900 hp, the Wellcraft 35 Sport 2007 has a 450-hp advantage over the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2012's 450-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 252 Fisherman 2012 carries 18 gallons versus 4 gallons in the Wellcraft 35 Sport 2007. 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 35 Sport 2007 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2012 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Wellcraft 35 Sport 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Wellcraft 35 Sport 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 35,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeWellcraft
MakeWellcraft
Model252 Fisherman
Model35 Sport
Model Year2012
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 9 in. (2.66 m)
Beam9 ft. 11 in
Beam - Meters2.67
Beam - Meters3.02
Beam - Inches105
Beam - Inches119
Bridge clearance - DetailWith T-top: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.48 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Sport Arch: 7 ft. 11 in. With Optional T-top: 8 ft. 4 in
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters2.54
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches1
Deadrise20°
Deadrise23℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (40 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] meters0.58
Draft [drive up] inches16
Draft [drive up] inches23
Draft [max] - Detail29 ft. 5 in. (8.96 m)
Draft [max] - DetailTwin: 33 in. Triple: 39 in
Draft [max] - Meters8.97
Draft [max] - Meters0.99
Draft [max] - Inches353
Draft [max] - Inches39
Weight - Detail4,680 lbs. (2,122 kg)
Weight - Detail8,600 lbs
Weight - kg2122.81
Weight - kg3900.89
Weight - lbs.468
Weight - lbs.86
Length - Feet24.33
Length - Feet35
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 4 in. (7.41 m)
Length overall - Detail35 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Meters7.42
Length overall - Meters10.77
Length overall - Inches292
Length overall - Inches424
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches4
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail180 gal. (681 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail400 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters681.37
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1514.16
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Fuel tank capacity - Gal4
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max450 hp (335.5 kW)
Engine max900 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardBombardier Twin E-Tec 225
Operational Info
Water capacity8 gal. (30 l)
Water capacity13 gal