Cruisers

1997 Wellcraft 45 Excalibur

Owned by a Mercruiser dealer, this 45 has had the best of care with rebuilt engines and new Bravo III X outdrives with heavy-duty transom assembly. 100% ready to go! The seller will assist with shipping from Kerr Lake in NC.

Imagine a monster sports boat, built in Australia by a company respected the world over for its sportfishing boats, sold by a top name in US pleasure boating. The 45 Excalibur is just such a boat. It is built in the land down under by Riviera, then shipped to the United States to be sold by Wellcraft, makers of successful line of cruisers, for the boating enthusiast who wants it all.

In June of 1995, Boating Magazine raved over the then-new Wellcraft Excalibur, praising its construction, which forms "one unibody piece, as though hewed from a solid chunk of fiberglass," its performance "not so much raw speed, but smooth, light-footed agility, the kind of handling that instills confidence and promotes joy."

The engines are Mercruiser 415 hp, 502 liter MPI with newer Bravo III X out drives with dual counter-rotating props. This setup pushes the 45 onto plane in four seconds, with a cruise of about 27 MPH at 3,000 RPM. The cruise is over 270 miles, with just a 274 gallon tank. Top end comes at 5000 RPMs, carrying the 7-ton Excalibur up to 53 miles per hour. The boat rides high and dry at speed, carving through chop and settling over swells with un-rivaled panache. Deck rails and an anchor bracket forward are the only giveaways that this is a luxury craft and not a Scarab spin-off.

The stylish 45, complete with swept back arch and louvred hull side vents, also fairs well below decks. Well-furnished and fully appointed throughout, it is certainly more than just a glorious weekender.

The Wellcraft 45 is a beautiful boat with sleek lines, plenty of space for long trips and efficient Mercruiser 8.2L gasoline engines. On a lake in NC for many years, the seller took the boat to FL and crossed to the Bahamas. He is now ready to sell this upgraded and well cared for Wellcraft Excalibur.