I write a "used boat" column every month that highlights one of the
brokerage boats on the regional market. Once in a while I happen across
something that is somewhat unusual, and next month's boat for this
feature is in really unique condition.....

I'll toss the rough draft into the mix here for some preliminary
critique.

Fair warning and complete disclosu please do *not* proceed beyond
this point if the mention of something available for sale is likely to
upset you. (Thanks).


"Free & Clear"


Remember the TV commercials for "Mr. Clean" household cleanser?
I've never met Mr. Clean, but I think I was just aboard his boat.
Norbert Tasler, of Anchor Land & Sea in Anacortes, suggested a 1984
Wellcraft express cruiser for this month's column. While we have all
certainly seen mid-80's Wellcrafts, Anchor Land & Sea's listing
"Free & Clear" is very noteworthy vessel. She is an outstanding
example of how fastidious maintenance and thoughtful upgrading can turn
a very nice boat into an absolute showpiece.

Wellcraft began building wooden runabouts in the 1950's, and was a
leader among boat builders making a full transition to fiberglass in
the 1960's. Wellcraft may have pioneered the concept of the "center
console" fishing boat, and throughout the years the Wellcraft
trademark has traditionally featured performance-oriented sportfishing
and family cruising models. "Free & Clear" was built in 1984, the
first year for Wellcraft's 3400 Express Cruiser Series. The 3400
series were the largest boats Wellcraft had produced throughout its 30
years of experience, and they received the care and attention any
manufacturer would lavish on a new model that was also the flagship of
the fleet.

"Free & Clear" is 33'7" long (35'5" with bow pulpit), and
draws 3'. She carries a generous 12'6" beam well forward,
tapering quickly at the bow to maximize interior cabin volume. She
incorporates ample freeboard that provides excellent headroom
throughout the cabin yet allows a very low, sleek profile for her
superstructure. The flat sheer, unobtrusive windshield cowling and
spacious cockpit are classic elements of express cruiser styling.
There's no need to imagine how "Free and Clear" might have looked
when brand new in '84. She has been professionally repainted in her
original gleaming white with wide, deep maroon, sheer stripe. A
spotless canvas enclosure of very recent vintage matches the sheer
stripe, and converts the open cockpit into additional enclosed space
appropriate for year 'round cruising enjoyment in the Pacific
Northwest.

While "Free & Clear" is as clean and shiny as most new or nearly
new boats, there are subtle details that would no longer be considered
"cost effective" by modern manufacturers and that give "Free &
Clear" a specific and easily-identified place on the maritime
timeline. Her chromed and streamline- styled engine air intake bezels
must have looked somewhat "retro" back in '84, and remain
attractive and intriguing even if well out of the fashionable
mainstream today. There is a greater amount of premium teak used for
interior joinery than one would now expect to see on boats of similar
size and style. "Free & Clear" uses teak bulkhead doors to separate
compartments in the same manner that many contemporary boats use
sliding vinyl curtains.

There aren't that many 22-year old boats that inspire a visitor to
consider removing his or her shoes prior to entering the cockpit. While
I ultimately didn't remove my shoes, I did make certain they were
clean prior to stepping aboard "Free & Clear."

Norbert suggested we begin our inspection with the engine room. As soon
as the three-piece cockpit hatch was up it became very obvious that as
original as the fully restored remainder of the boat appeared to be, it
was no longer 1984 down in the absolutely spotless engine room of
"Free & Clear." Wellcraft has always been mindful of its
association with high performing boats, and in 1984 the standard power
on the 3400 Express Cruisers was a pair of 454-cid gasoline engines.
The gas engines would likely have enabled cruising speeds of just over
20-knots, with WOT performance somewhere near 30-knots. The same twin
454's could have churned through "Free & Clear's" 270 gallons
of fuel in a single afternoon of high speed boating.

In an era when 3-digit per gallon fuel prices are as likely to begin
with a "3" as they are with a "2," twin 454 gasoline engines
are less frequently a boater's first choice. The next owner of
"Free & Clear" will be able to enjoy performance consistent with
Wellcraft's original design, but without wondering whether installing
a steam engine incorporating a boiler fired solely by burning dollar
bills might be more economical than fueling up the internal combustion
mains. "Free & Clear's" twin 300-HP Yanmar diesels were installed
in 2000 and can now be considered "broken in" with only 775 hours
on the meters. She is reputed to cruise at 20 knots, with a top speed
of 26. Fuel consumption should be decreased dramatically and range
correspondingly increased by the conversion to the Yanmars. Indeed,
since the repower "Free & Clear" has cruised to Glacier Bay Alaska
and back.

North Harbor Diesel of Anacortes did a total bottom blister repair on
"Free & Clear" in 2004. Wellcraft originally used molded
through-hull fittings on the 3400 series, but "Free & Clear" has
been upgraded to bronze.

After reclosing the engine hatches, Norbert demonstrated a very useful
"pullout" seat that slides under the transom when not needed. The
pullout feature expands the cockpit seating to approximately 10 persons
(including the helm and watch seats), yet allows unobstructed access to
the upholstered transom bolster when fishing. The port watch seat is
mounted atop a cavernous stowage locker, and backed with a stainless
handrail and a series of cup or beverage holders. The helm seat is
mounted on section of deck that has been raised to create headroom in
the guest stateroom immediately below.

"Free & Clear" was well outfitted with electronics, boasting an
inventory that proved sufficient for her cruise to Glacier Bay.
Highlights include a Robertson AP-11 autopilot, Standard Horizon GPS
chartplotter, JRC 24-mile radar, two ICOM VHF radios, and a Furuno
color video sounder. All of the upholstery in the cockpit area is in
excellent condition, and the stainless steel used for transom rails,
deck rails, and windshield framing is bright and unblemished. Even
marine professionals likely to board hundreds of boats in a year will
have a difficult time recalling many used boats in more pristine
condition than "Free & Clear," and perhaps no vessels more bristol
from the same era.

Before inspecting the interior, we noted the presence of a cockpit
heater, an inflatable dinghy on swim step davits, and a sturdy windlass
on the foredeck.

The Wellcraft 3400 Express Cruiser features two private staterooms in a
skillfully engineered interior layout that seems improbably large for a
34-foot express cruiser.
When descending down the companionway steps, one immediately realizes
that the bristol exterior appearance is simply a prelude to more of the
same in the interior. Everything aboard looks, fresh, clean, and
bright. Opening a drawer or a hatch inspires another conjecture that
the owner of the boat could easily be Mr. Clean- everything is
carefully and logically organized and if there's a speck of dirt to
be found, I personally wouldn't know where to begin looking for it.

The master stateroom is just aft of the chain locker, with an amply
proportioned double berth offset to starboard. There is a hanging
locker on the port side of the master stateroom, as well as a six feet
of standing headroom and a comfortable bench that should be handy when
dressing. A teak door separates the master stateroom from the salon
next aft.

The salon includes a U-shaped dinette on the starboard side and a
settee to port. A Dickinson 8,000 BTU propane heater is mounted near
the settee, and should keep the entire interior toasty on even a cool
summer morning in Alaska.

Wellcraft designers placed the starboard galley at the base of the
companionway steps, a choice that allows easy service from the galley
to the dinette immediately forward or quick access to the on deck
entertainment area in the cockpit above. "Free & Clear" uses an
1800-watt inverter and a bank of batteries for AC power underway, so
the galley stove is fired by propane. A stainless steel sink, a
microwave oven, a dual-voltage refrigerator/freezer, and a stainless
steel sink are incorporated in a fixture that reserves more than ample
counter space for basic food prep and service. The upper lockers follow
the gunwale and then return athwartship to provide more stowage than
one normally expects to find on many boats in this category. The
athwartship galley fixture terminates in an attractively styled bottle
locker.

A head that appears to be almost surgically clean and incorporates a
dedicated, stand-up shower stall is opposite the galley on the port
side- and also conveniently located for easy access from the cockpit.

The second stateroom aboard "Free & Clear" is aft of the galley,
and separated from the main cabin by a teak privacy door. There is
restricted headroom in the stateroom; it is located immediately below
the raised portion of the cockpit deck above. The second stateroom is
laid out to serve as a private sitting or conversation area during the
day. A "filler cushion" can be installed to convert the stateroom
to an oversized single berth that would easily accommodate two kids,
and perhaps even two adults who were willing to sleep close together.

Norbert informed me that Anchor Land & Sea will be featuring "Free &
Clear" in the mid-March Anacortes Floating Boat Show. It wouldn't
be surprising at all to eventually learn that the first person shopping
for an express cruiser somewhere near her price range snapped her up at
the show. Seeing is believing, and after only a few moments aboard
"Free & Clear" its easy to believe that at her asking price of
$84,500, (with Norbert pointing out that the seller will consider all
reasonable offers), this particular NW Classic represents an
outstanding opportunity and value.