Wellcraft 435, muscly and unsuspectingly exquisite

Wellcraft 435: sea trial of a truly unique yacht 

When the internationally renowned designer Camillo Garroni and the celebrated naval engineer Michael Peters work together, the result always exceeds expectations. The new Wellcraft 435, which we had the fortune to test a few weeks ago in Cannes, under perfect marine weather conditions, certainly does not deviate from this premise. Muscly and undeniably captivating, it was an appointment we couldn’t afford to miss. 

Wellcraft 435: Sea trial

It’s a gloomy day that greets us at Port Pierre Canto, with intermittent rain and the sea intermittently swept by gusts of wind. Fortunately, the new Wellcraft 435 is equipped with a well-sheltered Pilot House, so, warm and dry, we cast off and head out to sea.

Thanks to the action of the three Mercury V10 350 engines and the Joystick System, maneuvering is a piece of cake. Despite the crosswind, the boat laterally shifts with embarrassing ease, and within seconds, we’re out of the narrow quayside berth where we were tangled up.

As we navigate at minimum speed to exit the harbor, I look around. The helm station is almost perfect, with excellent 360-degree visibility, while the reverse windshield has the great advantage of not distorting the view, providing this boat with a truly aggressive look.

I push the throttles forward, and the Wellcraft 435 quickly rises out of the water, getting uo to plane at just 11 knots. Having a very low planning speed is important since it allows for stable and safe navigation even when sea conditions are extreme, a parameter I always hold in high regard.

As the Wellcraft 435 speeds up, she gradually levels out and navigates with an increasingly horizontal trim. The hull cuts through the waves very smoothly, and the cruising comfort is truly remarkable. From 20 to 30 knots, this yacht goes perfectly, enabling families and friends to enjoy fast and comfortable transfers, even when the sea is slightly rough, like today.

I throttle down completely, and the boat accelerates noticeably as the GPS registers increasingly significant figures, unusual for this type of vessel. At 6,250 rpm, I fine-tune the trim and record a speed of 41.3 knots, which is really impressive for a yacht of this size.

Astonished by this sporty behavior, I slow down a bit and execute a series of tight turns. The Wellcraft 435 leans without slowing down and continues in the turn, without the slightest hint of skidding or widening her trajectory. As I counter-turn, this magnificent yacht responds as if it were a speedboat, agile, responsive, truly pleasant at the helm.

I push to the limit and then reverse course to catch my waves, which I pass at over 35 knots with throttles all the way down. And it’s right here that the Wellcraft 435 definitively wins me over because she crosses the waves of over a meter effortlessly and then lands back without the slightest impact. Sure, I crossed the waves at a 30-degree angle, but that’s the right way to navigate, and this boat deserves it beyond any reasonable doubt.

Conclusions

The Wellcraft 435 is an exquisite yacht, capable of both cruising with the family in maximum comfort and eliciting shouts of joy from our children or friends when the desire for adrenaline strikes, and finally, with this boat, we can satisfy it.

Test Data

The Wellcraft 435 in detail

Let’s start by saying that she’s really well made. Built in France, near Les Sables d’Olonne, where they really know how to make boats, the Wellcraft 435 manages to be both luxurious and sporty, bold and innovative.

Just stepping on board is enough to realize that. With the two wings opened up, the external dinette is huge and can accommodate an L-shaped sofa and a folding table, allowing 5/6 guests to have lunch or dinner outdoors sheltered from the sun, thanks to the shade cover that extends over the entire area. An area that also manages to remain closely connected to the interior, where the boundaries disappear when the sliding hatch is fully opened.

It’s this pronounced versatility that truly convinces me. Whether it’s hot or cold, summer or winter, the Wellcraft 435 always meets the needs. This is also demonstrated by the electrically retractable roof which, again, when the weather allows, blurs the boundaries between outdoors and indoors.

The main deck, indeed, in summer, is the luxurious extension of the outdoor lounge, while in winter (or on days like today), it allows to use the boat sheltered from the elements. However, what stands out in this area is the high quality of the finishes. The use of fine woods and leathers is evident and incredibly pleasing.

To the left, we find a linear galley equipped with every necessary appliance, facing a second indoor sofa, also equipped with a dining table. With such a layout, I can’t help but think of summer evening cocktails where, starting from this environment and extending to the two open balconies aft, a huge lounge area is created where an impressive number of guests can enjoy excellent music, chat, and sip on a Moscow Mule.

This area doesn’t stop here because, moving along the convenient starboard side-deck (another stroke of genius), protected by handrails, you reach the forward lounge area. Here, we are greeted by a large sunbathing area that, in its bow section, transforms into a couple of opposing chaise lounges facing the forward sofa. It’s obvious to think how, thanks to the removable table, another refreshment area is created here, adding even more useful space.

The sleeping zone

I have decided to dedicate a chapter of its own to the sleeping area of the Wellcraft 435 because having two Master Cabins, each with dedicated facilities and a separate shower, on a yacht of this size is decidedly unusual.

Descending the stairs (and feeling the soft leather present everywhere), we find the first bathroom, which, dedicated to one of the two master cabins, also serves the important function of a day toilet, thus providing additional privacy. Through the front door, also covered in leather, we enter the first of the two cabins, which, equipped with a central bed and side steps, is truly spacious.

The design of this cabin is decidedly top-notch; Camillo Garroni has managed to extend the spaces here by creating a series of niches that, hidden by the curved lines and indirectly illuminated, simultaneously provide a stunning visual impact and a great storage capacity. From inside this cabin, you can access the second head which, needless to say, magically accommodates facilities, a sink, and a separate shower.

Descending further, we get the second Master Cabin which, full-beam, exploits the nearly four meters to create an simply enormous environment. At first glance, one might think of reduced internal headroom, but once inside, you realize that the cabin is very livable.

Here, we find a king size bed placed against the left side and a large sofa opposite, which can also be transformed into a single bed if needed. Completing the furnishings of this cabin is an exquisite central bedside table, also adorned with leather inlays and elegantly illuminated.

Conclusions

Wellcraft 435 is undoubtedly a small masterpiece of space engineering, capable of accommodating a troop of friends on board while providing unparalleled luxury and comfort for the owner and his/her family.

With a strong oriented inclination towards the “good life,” she has only one downside: she’s so beautiful that it will always be the boat friends choose for spending evenings together…

Technical Specs