Sport Craft 251 walkaround
Sport-Craft's 251 Walkaround focuses on fishing without neglecting comfort.
July 1, 1999
Charter-boat captains are a
persnickety bunch. You won't persuade this seasoned lot to buy a boat just because it's "high-tech"
or "sexy." This is their office, and they need a boat that can take them out every day and bring
them back safely. They require a solid fishing vessel that will last a long time and give paying
passengers a comfortable ride. But most importantly, they need a boat they can make money with. On
Lake Erie, the charter captains have chosen Sport-Craft as their top boat.
After testing Sport-Craft's 251 Walkaround, it's not hard to figure out why. This is a
no-nonsense boat that puts fishing first, yet refuses to neglect passenger comfort.
As I board the 251, the first thing that grabs my eye is the ultralow engine box. At only 14
inches high, it doesn't seem as obtrusive as most inboard/outboard compartments. I see a few
advantages to this layout, such as stepping up to sight cast or allowing divers to migrate aft to
the huge, optional, pole-reinforced swim platform. The engine box comes with a cushion, allowing
anglers to comfortably sit close to the action when trolling. To accommodate the engine
compartment, the cockpit sole is higher than most. In addition to keeping the scuppers well above
water when carrying a full load of passengers and gear, the higher deck allows Sport-Craft to
include a larger 170-gallon fuel tank, giving the 251 plenty of range. The only downside is the
knee-high gunwales in the cockpit, which might make fishing in rough water tricky. However, there
are standard, overstuffed combing pads surrounding the cockpit for angler comfort.
The 251 features a 2-degree cockpit deck slope from fore to aft to ensure water drains
quickly, which makes cleaning the non-skid deck easy. Serious anglers will find the 251's cockpit
setup perfect for fishing. The wide transom holds a 23-gallon livewell and adjacent bait prep
station complete with sink and raw-water washdown. There are four in-gunwale rod holders and
recessed, under-gunwale racks for storing four rods. With a pair of three-tray, built-in
tackleboxes under the twin pedestal seats, anglers can leave bulky tackle toters at home, which
will help keep the cockpit clear. For transporting fish back to the cleaning station, there are two
insulated fishboxes set into the deck that drain overboard.
The wide walk-through space and well-placed hand holds on the T-top make traversing to the
front deck easy. Mitigating the relatively low gunwale height is the extra-tall bowrail. There's a
padded bow seat recessed into the front of the cabin console for those who like to feel the wind in
their hair. I like the anchor locker setup, which faces inward rather than upward. There's a cutout
in the Lexan hatch to allow as much rode as needed to be exposed, without having to keep a snarl of
line on the deck. There's a stainless-steel roller at the pulpit's tip for easy hauling.
Settling into the molded captain's bucket, I adjust the seat, which has enough travel to fit
almost anyone. The console is tall enough to accommodate larger electronics, and gauges sit high
for easy reading. There's a standard Saturn compass that's mounted in-line for accurate navigation.
A Bimini top comes standard.
Cranking up the 260-hp, 5.7L MerCruiser EFI for the sea trial, we cast off and idle our way
to the cut. The test 251 is equipped with the twin propeller Bravo III outdrive, which helps it to
run a straight and true track at any speed.
I put the 251 Walkaround on plane and reach 30 mph in 7.57 seconds, which is pretty good
considering that the overall weight with a full tank of gas is probably around 6,000 pounds. Part
of the reason for the good hole shot is the added bite of the Bravo III. Also helping is the 8-inch
flat pad on the keel line. The 18-degree deadrise flattens to 14 degrees toward the chines, which
gives the Sport-Craft incredible lateral stability.
With such a moderate 18-degree deadrise, I'm wondering if exiting the inlet into steep,
4-foot head seas is a good idea. However, keeping the speed around 20 mph and adding a bit of
downward tab results in a surprisingly soft ride. Going faster results in some pounding.
Since the 251 has a relatively low center of gravity, we don't wallow from side-to-side when
traveling beam to in the waves. Most walkarounds are a bit top heavy, but the Sport-Craft's inboard
engine and wooden stringers combine to keep things level. To make it even better, Sport-Craft has a
15-year transferable hull warranty - one of the best.
Heading downseas into the inlet, I trim up slightly to avoid planting the bow into the
troughs, and we get a decent ride back into calmer waters. I run the 251 to a top speed of 41.6
mph. Backing off to 30 mph, we register a reasonable 84 decibels, which can be attributed to the
thick egg-crate-foam acoustical insulation lining the engine box. Making some hard turns with the
hydraulically assisted steering reveals precise controllability without excess heeling.
As we idle in, I turn the controls over to my copilot and go below to check out the cabin.
One of the most noticeable features is the fact that I'm not hunching over like a linebacker
getting into position. On the port side is a fully equipped galley with icebox, butane stove, sink,
freshwater pressurized system with a 13-gallon tank, and large food prep area with plenty of
storage. At first, the U-berth seems too close to the portside recliner for good legroom, until I
figure out that it's designed for overnighters to orient themselves beam-to-beam rather than the
traditional front-to-back setup.
The roomy cabin features a padded ceiling and festively upholstered cushions. Surrounding
the lounge/bed is a wide shelf for storage, with more compartments under the seats.
The price of the test boat with the 260-hp, 5.7L MerCruiser and Bravo III is $44,126, an
attractive price for such a well-equipped boat. The 251 Walkaround is available with a number of
powerplant options, including twin 200-hp outboards.
Just as truckers know where to eat, charter-boat captains know what boats to buy, and many
opt for Sport-Crafts. After wringing out the 251 Walkaround, I understand why.