Wellcraft Explorer series, 28 to 44 feet
First out.
Last in.
An enclosed wheelhouse on an offshore hull: fish cold mornings and rough days in comfort, then stay aboard for the weekend.
Wheelhouse comfort, with heat and A/C on the 28.
Fishing cockpits with livewells and dive doors.
Orlando, Tampa and New Smyrna Beach, by appointment.
The Explorer range
340
Gallons of fuel
On the 44 Explorer.
2
King staterooms
On the 44 Explorer.
1,050
Max hp
On the 38 and 44.
28–44′
Three lengths
28, 38 and 44.
One boat, both lives: Fish any day. Stay any night.
The wheelhouse means you go when others stay home: cold mornings, spray and summer sun stay outside. Then the same boat sleeps the family in real staterooms.
Fish it
Go when others don’t.
Fishing cockpits with livewells, dive doors and room to fight a fish, behind a warm, dry helm.
Barracuda layout (28)
Livewell and fish boxes
Dive doors, two per side (38)
Modular cockpit (38)
Cockpit that adapts (44)
Up to 1,050 hp
Live on it
Stay the weekend.
Galleys, dining and staterooms with their own showers.
Two king staterooms (44)
Ensuite with separate shower
Galley and dining for five (38)
Heating and A/C (28)
Bow sunpads
Fold-out terraces (44)
Features as Wellcraft lists them for each model. Layouts and options vary by build; ask for the build sheet.
In Florida, that changes the trip. Run out in the evening, sleep aboard and fish first light where you already are. When an afternoon squall builds, wait it out in the wheelhouse instead of pounding home through it. With the right weather window, a Bahamas crossing becomes a weekend you can plan; check the conditions and the entry rules before you go.
Compare modelsEvery Explorer, side by side.
Fishing setup, living space and range, model by model.
 28 Explorer |  38 Explorer |  44 Explorer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fishing | |||
| Fishing layout | Barracuda option | Modular cockpit | Adaptable cockpit |
| Dive doors | 1 | 2 per side | – |
| Max power | 400 hp | 1,050 hp | 1,050 hp |
| Living aboard | |||
| Sleeping | Bow cabin · optional Sleeper cockpit | Forward stateroom · sleeps 4 | 2 cabins · 4 berths |
| Head | Head in the bow cabin | Ensuite head with separate shower | 2 ensuite heads, separate showers |
| Size and range | |||
| Length | 28′ | 38′10″ | 43′11″ |
| Beam | 9′6″ | 10′9″ | 12′6″ |
| Fuel | 127 gal | 264 gal | 340 gal |
| Fresh water | 13 gal | 42 gal | 66 gal |
| Air draft | 7′7″ | 8′53″ | 17′11″ |
Manufacturer figures from Wellcraft, checked October 2026.
Photo: Wellcraft
01 · Offshore explorer yacht
Wellcraft44 Explorer
The 44 Explorer is Wellcraft’s flagship: a straight-bow, high-freeboard offshore boat with a protected wheelhouse at deck level and two full-beam cabins below, each with a king bed and its own bathroom.
Fishing, built in
- Cockpit that adapts to fishing
- Fold-out side terraces at water level
- Triple outboards, up to 1,050 hp
- Wheelhouse with 360° view
Living aboard
- Two king staterooms
- Two ensuite showers
- Galley at deck level
- Sleeps up to 5
Photo: Wellcraft
02 · Offshore explorer
Wellcraft38 Explorer
The 38 Explorer opens its wheelhouse to the cockpit through a wide door and top-hinged window, with a full galley and dining for five inside, and a forward stateroom with an ensuite and separate shower below.
Fishing, built in
- Modular cockpit for fishing or diving
- Two dive doors per side
- Twin or triple outboards
- Wheelhouse out of the weather
Living aboard
- Galley and dining for five
- Stateroom with ensuite shower
- Sleeps 4
- Three bow sunpads
Photo: Wellcraft
03 · Offshore explorer
Wellcraft28 Explorer
The 28 Explorer puts a fully enclosed wheelhouse, with wraparound glass, heating and air conditioning, on a 28-foot offshore hull, with a cabin and head forward and an aft cockpit you configure.
Fishing, built in
- Barracuda layout: livewell, fish boxes, bait drawers
- Rod holders
- Side dive door
- Enclosed wheelhouse for cold mornings
Living aboard
- Bow cabin with head
- Compact galley
- Heating and A/C
- Sleeper layout: 2 more berths
Which Explorer fits you?
The 28 is for owners moving up from a 24- to 26-foot day boat who want shelter and a head, and it's the most versatile of the three to keep inland. The 38 suits a family or crew planning two or three nights aboard. The 44 is for owners who make long runs regularly and bring guests. To narrow it down, count who will actually sleep aboard, decide between a trailer and a slip, name the furthest place you'll run at least twice a year, and be honest about how often you'll fish versus cruise.
Offshore when you want it: Nothing holds you back.
Wellcraft forms the hull and stringers in one piece, and our team keeps the outboards and electronics ready to run.
Rigged your way
Rod holders, outriggers, electronics, radar and Starlink, fitted by our team.
Trained on the big outboards
Factory-trained up to the 600 hp Mercury Verado V12 and on Yamaha’s largest outboards.
Serviced where it lives
At the store, at your dock or in the water.
Three habits matter more on an Explorer than on a day boat: run a pre-departure check before every long trip, not just the first of the season; service on engine hours, not the calendar, because long runs add hours fast; and keep safety and communications gear current. Our service team can set up a schedule around how you use the boat.
Currently availableWellcraft Explorer boats for sale
All Wellcraft Explorer boats
Orlando22 photos
Orlando14 photos
Orlando8 photos
Tampa34 photosNewest first, New Smyrna Beach first. Each card links to that boat.
Buying a Wellcraft: Personal, from first look to first fish.
No pressure, no rush. Our team is with you from the first viewing to delivery day, and the same store after.
01
Private viewing
Time set aside for you and the boat at our Orlando, Tampa or New Smyrna Beach store, or a live video walkthrough.
02
Sea trial
Run it yourself on open water, inshore and out the inlet.
03
Specified to you
Power, colors, electronics and fishing options chosen with our Wellcraft team.
04
Delivered and looked after
Rigged, walked through on the water, then serviced at the store or your dock.
Wellcraft questions and private appointmentsAsk us anything.
Tell us how you want to use the boat: offshore days, sandbar weekends, nights aboard. We’ll show you the Wellcraft that fits, and how to rig it for the way you fish.
Ultimate Marine Orlando · (407) 289-1220
Can you fish from a Wellcraft Explorer?
Which Explorer has two staterooms?
Does the 28 Explorer have air conditioning?
Where can I see a Wellcraft Explorer?
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