Wellcraft 23 Excalibur: Double-Edged Sword
Wellcraft's 23 Excalibur: In either a cuddy or bowrider form, is one sharp boat
December 19, 2001
In either the open-bow or cuddy version, the 23 Excalibur is striking.
Not all sportboat buyers have the same needs. Some demand the open spaces of a bowrider. Others require a cabin for overnighting. The good news for buyers who settle on the 23 Excalibur, the newest member of the Wellcraft Excalibur family for 2000, is that they can get the 22'9"-long, 8'4"-wide model with either an open-bow area or a cuddy cabin.
The cabin in the SCS model has a two-person V-berth.
In the cabin version of the 23 Excalibur SCS, the cabin features a two-person V-berth. The bowrider model, called the 23 Excalibur Sport, has two forward-facing lounges that can convert to a sunlounge with a filler cushion/table. The Sport model also has a walk-through windshield with tinted, tempered glass.
Top speed for the 23 Excalibur with a 415-hp motor is more than 60 mph.
Those differences duly noted, the two models are largely identical. Both ride on a single-step, variable-deadrise bottom. Construction highlights include an all-fiberglass, self-draining cockpit liner and microballoon-filled strakes. All deck hardware is stainless steel and through-bolted. A retractable ladder is mounted on the boat's integrated swim platform with non-skid surfacing.
Highlights at the helm included race-style controls and full instrumentation.
Power steering is standard, as is a Mercury Zero Effort throttle and shifter. In addition to complete instrumentation at the helm in stainless-steel bezels and pearlescent dash panels, there is a Clarion AM/FM cassette stereo with a remote control.
According to Wellcraft literature, the 23 Excalibur equipped with a 415-horsepower MerCruiser 502 Magnum MPI, the largest motor offered for the boat, tops out at 62.4 mph. Several MerCruiser and Volvo Penta engines with various drive packages are offered. Regardless of its manufacturer, the motor-of-choice is secured on through-bolted aluminum mounts.
With the 502 Magnum MPI engine, the 23 Excalibur reportedly has a cruising speed of 40 mph at 3,900 rpm. Based on that number and the boat's 75-gallon fuel capacity, the manufacturer estimates its cruising range to be 244 miles.
With 502 Magnum Power and a Bravo One drive, the 23 Excalibur SCS rings in at m $58,850. The Sport version with the same power package costs $57,035. With a milder 310-horsepower MerCruiser 7.4L MPI motor and a Bravo One drive, the boat retails for $44,275.
Boat Specifications
| Length overall: | 22'9" |
| Beam: | 8'4" |
| Dry weight: | 3800 pounds |
| Fuel capacity: | 75 gallons |
| Maximum horsepower: | 415 hp (MerCruiser 502 Magnum MPI engine) |
| Minimum horsepower: | 260 hp (MerCruiser 5.7L EFI engine) |
For more information contact:
Wellcraft Marine
1651 Whitfield Avenue
Sarasota, FL 35243
(800) 603-2628 (BOAT)
