If you're a baby boomer, you grew up in an era of hotrod Chevys, 'Vettes, and other go-fast cars. You may never have actually owned one, but that doesn't mean you didn't lust after owning one. So now you're a little older, you're driving a station wagon or an SUV and you've mellowed a bit, but that speed gene is still floating around in your bloodstream. In many ways, you're exactly like Wellcraft's new-for-2001 2800 Martinique.
Wellcraft built its reputation in offshore racing with its Scarabs, which have an enviable winning streak in that demanding sport. And high-performance Scarabs remain a major part of the Wellcraft product mix although the company, like the baby boomers, has mellowed a bit and expanded into family cruisers and fishing boats. But, again like the boomers, there's still that speed urge that just won't go away. And while the 2800 Martinique may look like a mild-mannered express cruiser, it actually has a heart of pure Scarab.

If you go for the 425-hp MerCruiser 496 MAG HO Bravo III, you can push the throttles to the firewall and just hang on. It sort of makes up for not having a '57 Chevy.

The Martiniques are Wellcraft's sporty cruisers, ranging from a 24-footer up to the 3700. With a base suggested retail price of less than $86,000 with a 315-hp Volvo, the 2800 is remarkably affordable for a boat that sleeps six and has headroom of 6 feet 2 inches.

If it isn't sure whether to be sporty or sedate, the 2800 Martinique is equally unsure whether it's a runabout or a cruiser. The cockpit is comfortably spacious with wraparound aft lounge seating to starboard that converts to a full settee when the optional cockpit table is installed. To port is a bench seat for a companion, and the doublewide helm seat flips up to reveal storage underneath. The skipper faces a wood-grain dash with gold bezels, a backlit switch panel and a clear plastic cover to keep your charts protected but visible. Hydraulic power steering with a tilt wheel is standard, as are hydraulic trim tabs. The dash also has a remote control for the radio/CD player.

Aft, there's a walk-through transom door to the swim platform with folding ladder and even a standard hot and cold shower for rinsing off after a swim. A nice touch is the entry light switch at the stern so, when boarding the Martinique at night, you can switch on the courtesy and overhead lights. The sweptback radar arch adds to the rakish look of the 2800, and a Sunbrella Bimini top is standard with a connector to the windshield for full sun and spray protection. Speaking of the wraparound windshield, there's a walk-through panel for easy and secure access to the foredeck.

The large cabin door features a screen to keep out the no-see-'ums on warm nights when you need the breeze, although you can add the optional air conditioner combined with heater for all-season overnighting.

Once inside, the layout is simple and spacious, with a doublewide forward berth tucked in the bow. There's also a compact dinette to port that's comfortable for two, which is why the forward berth has a removable filler piece that can be replaced with a high-low table for dining or entertaining friends. It's an unusual arrangement that allows a permanent area for quick meals, or a larger seating area for a crowd. The dinette, of course, can be converted to a single berth.

Aft and tucked under the bridgedeck is a surprisingly roomy mid-cabin with a large double bed, screened window opening into the cockpit and privacy curtain.

The galley is compact but complete. The countertop has a molded-in sink and cutting board, and the appliances include a single alcohol/electric stove, microwave and refrigerator. With storage cabinets below and above, there's ample space for weekending aboard. The head is equally well-equipped for weekend adventures, featuring a vanity and shower with hand-held fixture.

The test boat is powered by a pair of 210-hp, 4.3L MerCruiser EFI sterndrives, which are close to the maximum horsepower available. But the test boat is carrying twice as much iron, so it reaches a top speed of about 48 mph and can cruise all day at 36 mph. That's still more than ample for most conditions, and the second engine gives you a sense of get-home security in case of problems. The engine hatch has an electric/hydraulic ram controlled at the dashboard, and there's enough room to work on the engines, although the twin installation is tight enough that it won't be fun if the headers are hot.

Underway, the 2800 Martinique has clearly benefited from the Wellcraft Scarab performance background, and the 20 degrees of deadrise at the transom is verging on deep-V shape for offshore seaworthiness. The hard chines provide plenty of stability at low speeds or even at the dock when boarding guests, and the 2800 has a solid feel you'd expect on a larger and heavier boat.

Once up on a plane (about five seconds with the twin engines), the 2800 runs flat and doesn't seem to need the trim tabs for balance or planing. When cranked into a turn at cruising speed, there is no evidence of cavitation. In spite of the speed of this cruiser, it's a boat that you can let the kids drive ' with supervision but without qualms.

Wellcraft delivers a well-equipped boat at the base price, including items usually found on the options list such as 30-amp shore power, stainless-steel props, dockside water hookup, compass, trim tabs, systems monitor, VacuFlush head and inverter. The 2800 Martinique is a pleasant and affordable blend of speed (you could waterski behind it) and comfort, with enough cockpit space for day cruises and a cabin that would be comfortable for a family on long weekends. You may still pine for that '57 Chevy, but the Martinique is going to make your family a lot happier.