Wellcraft 252 2004 vs Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Wellcraft 252 2004 or the Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015?

For trailering, the Wellcraft 252 2004 has the edge at 437 lbs dry weight versus 8 000 lbs for the Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015. 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Wellcraft 252 2004 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015 tops out at 250 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Wellcraft 252 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015 is certified for 9. 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015 measures 127" wide, compared to 105" for the Wellcraft 252 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Wellcraft 252 2004 or the Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015?

The Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015 has the bigger tank at 21 gallons, versus 18 gallons on the Wellcraft 252 2004. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Wellcraft 252 2004 and Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Wellcraft 252 2004 and the Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015 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.

Boat Comparison

Wellcraft 252 2004 vs Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015

Wellcraft

Wellcraft 252 2004

2004

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Wellcraft

Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015

2015

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Wellcraft 252 2004 vs Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Wellcraft 252 2004 vs Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015 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 300 hp, the Wellcraft 252 2004 has a 50-hp advantage over the Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015'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 — 18 gal and 21 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Wellcraft 252 2004 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 30,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Wellcraft 252 2004 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

Makenot available

Model252

Modelnot available

Model Year2004

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 9 in

Beam10.60 ft

Beam - Meters2.67

Beam - Meters3.23

Beam - Inches105

Beam - Inches127

Deadrise20℃

Deadrisenot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. apx

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.41

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches16

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail29? in. apx

Draft [max] - Detail1.11 ft

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Meters0.34

Draft [max] - Inches29

Draft [max] - Inches13

Weight - Detail4,370 lbs. apx

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg1982.2

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.437

Weight - lbs.not available

Height - DetailBridge clearance without top 6 ft. 0 in. apx. Bridge clearance with bimini top 8 ft. 0 in. apx

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters2.44

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches96

Height - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 4 in

Length overall - Detail30.30 ft

Length overall - Meters7.42

Length overall - Meters9.24

Length overall - Inches292

Length overall - Inches364

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet30.3

Displacementnot available

Displacement8000.00 lbs

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail180 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters681.37

Fuel tank capacity - Liters794.94

Fuel tank capacity - Gal18

Fuel tank capacity - Gal21

Engine max300 HP at prop

Engine maxnot available

Engine makenot available

Engine makeYamaha

Engine modelnot available

Engine modelF250 XCA

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower250 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeoutboard

Engine 2 Engine Makenot available

Engine 2 Engine MakeYamaha

Engine 2 Engine Modelnot available

Engine 2 Engine ModelF250 XCA

Engine 2 Horsepowernot available

Engine 2 Horsepower250 hp

Engine 2 Fuel Typenot available

Engine 2 Fuel TypeGas

Engine 2 Drive Typenot available

Engine 2 Drive Typeoutboard

Operational Info

Water capacity8 gal

Water capacity42

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity2

Cabinsnot available

Cabins1

Headnot available

Head1

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal11

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters41.64

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Wellcraft 252 2004 vs Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Wellcraft 252 2004 or the Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015?

For trailering, the Wellcraft 252 2004 has the edge at 437 lbs dry weight versus 8 000 lbs for the Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015. 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 2004 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015 tops out at 250 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 252 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015 is certified for 9. 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 290 Coastal 2015 measures 127" wide, compared to 105" for the Wellcraft 252 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 252 2004 or the Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015?

The Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015 has the bigger tank at 21 gallons, versus 18 gallons on the Wellcraft 252 2004. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Wellcraft 252 2004 and Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Wellcraft 252 2004 and the Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015 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.

← Wellcraft 252 2004 full specs ← Wellcraft 290 Coastal 2015 full specs