Wellcraft Boats

BENTON, Ky. (March 5, 2007) - In 2006, FLW Outdoors - the organization responsible for bringing bass, walleye, redfish and kingfish anglers the most lucrative tournaments in history - introduced the Wal-Mart FLW Striper Series presented by BP as the world's largest, highest-paying and most conservation-minded striper circuit. The circuit lived up to its billing and will march on in 2007 with teams fishing for guaranteed top awards of $30,000 cash in every tournament.

In 2007, the FLW Striper Series will feature four $85,000 one-day qualifying tournaments held on Saturdays. The top award in each tournament includes $10,000 plus $20,000 in Hydra-Sports, Scarab, Seaswirl, Triumph, Wellcraft, Yamaha and Evinrude contingency bonuses. Awards in every tournament extend through 20th place, which pays as much as $900 based on a 100-boat field. The highest finishing team among teams fishing all four tournaments will also receive free entries for the 2008 season.

"The Wal-Mart FLW Striper Series generated a lot of excitement in its inaugural season last year," said FLW Outdoors President and CEO Charlie Evans. "Not only did we award the largest payouts the sport had ever seen, but we proved that catch-and-release tournaments are the way of the future, and we see that ethic taking hold."

SARASOTA, Fla., January 31, 2007 — Wellcraft Boats is introducing its new 18-foot dual console, the 180 Sportsman, at the Miami International Boat Show, February 15-19.

“We wanted to create a boat that satisfies the fishing enthusiast and the water-sports fan in a family-friendly package,” said Wellcraft senior vice president and general manager Mike O’Connell. “The 180 Sportsman is an exceptional and affordable 18 dual console.”

The boat is 18’ long with an 8’ beam, providing a stable, roomy fishing platform. It carries 49 gallons of fuel to power one of three outboard choices: Evinrude® 115 E-Tec, Yamaha® 115 four-stroke or Yamaha® 150 four-stroke.

For the fisherman, the boat features two gunwale-mounted stainless steel rod holders and 52-quart baitwell standard. An optional fishing package includes a port-side pedestal seat/fishbox combo, raw water washdown and rod boxes port and starboard.

Water-sports enthusiasts will find ample storage throughout, including a large, in-floor ventilated locker and optional ski pylon.

Wellcraft Boats' Kingfish Streak Continues

SARASOTA, Fla., May 4, 2006 - Wellcraft® boats continue to make their impact known on the prestigious kingfish tournament trails-especially with the recently launched 352 Tournament model. The combination of a world-class performance hull, 360-degree fishability and capacity for up to 900 HP on the transom make for one formidable fishing package.

In late April, Georgia's Rick Smith, along with his crew of Tim Ellis, Carl Alexander and Jimmy Mancil, won the 2005 Southern Kingfish Association championship in Ft. Pierce, Florida, in Smith's "Wild Turkey" Wellcraft 352 Tournament powered and sponsored by Evinrude. Smith's crew weighed in with 55.66 lbs.

Last October, team "Early Riser" headed by Captain John Parks of Jacksonville, N.C., and crew members, Willie Humphrey and Robert Daugherty caught a two-fish total weighing 58 pounds, 2 ounces to win the inaugural 2005 Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour Championship in Morehead City. Parks won this event in his Wellcraft 302 Scarab and has since upgraded to a 352 Tournament powered by Yamaha.

"Wellcraft has a long heritage of success in competitive tournament fishing, and we're extremely proud of what these guys have been able to accomplish in our boats," said Wellcraft president Dean Samuelson.