From August 27 to 29, 2026, the waters of the French Riviera will become the perfect backdrop to test the capabilities of Wellcraft boats. The shipyard will host the Wellcraft Sea Trials during those days, an exclusive event scheduled to take place in Bandol, France. Throughout the event, owners, enthusiasts, and prospective buyers will be able to step aboard the key models in the lineup for a private sea trial.
This initiative offers a concrete opportunity to directly experience the performance of Wellcraft vessels in the exact environment they were designed for: the open ocean. Over the course of the three-day event, three flagship models will be available for testing: the Wellcraft 28 T-Top, the Wellcraft 28 Explorer, and the flagship Wellcraft 38 T-Top. Driven by the American brand’s long-standing philosophy focused on sporty, safe, and long-range navigation, these three high-performance powerboats will be available to anyone who books a sea trial.
Unlike traditional static boat show displays, the Wellcraft Sea Trials allow participants to evaluate directly first-hand the boat’s handling, helm station ergonomics, acceleration, stability, and cruising comfort. This approach has gained increasing importance in the premium segment in recent years, where the driving experience is one of the decisive factors when choosing a new boat.
The selected setting is no coincidence: Bandol, overlooking the French Mediterranean, offers ideal conditions for assessing both offshore capabilities and coastal cruising comfort, allowing guests to fully appreciate the design features that set the brand apart.
Wellcraft offers individual trials by reservation, giving guests the chance to compare different models and find the one that best suits their boating needs. But take note: available slots are limited, and access is by appointment only. To reserve a spot, fill out the form on the dedicated web page of the official shipyard website.
Among the stars of the event, the Wellcraft 28 Explorer stands out as a contemporary take on the explorer boat concept. The vessel was designed to handle year-round offshore cruising thanks to a layout that prioritizes protection, safety, and range.
Its defining feature is the fully enclosed pilothouse, a solution that allows for comfortable cruising even in less favorable weather conditions, significantly extending the boating season. It’s not just a helm station cover, but a protected environment that makes the boat suitable for long passages and routes well off the beaten coastal path.
The design also focuses on robust construction and a hull engineered to tackle rough seas—traits that reflect Wellcraft’s historic tradition of high-performance boating. The result is a boat aimed at owners looking to explore new destinations without sacrificing comfort or driving pleasure.
Alongside the Explorer version, visitors can test the Wellcraft 28 T-Top, a crossover model that represents one of the most versatile designs in the range. The vessel combines the freedom of a classic center console with superior protection compared to traditional setups, thanks to a T-Top that shields the crew and captain while underway.
The design philosophy aims to provide a boat capable of adapting to various uses: day trips, coastal cruising, water sports, and relaxing at anchor. Wellcraft defines the 28 T-Top as a blend of open-air driving thrills and year-round usability. The spatial layout emphasizes freedom of movement on board, while the center console layout preserves the dynamic character that made the American brand famous. For those seeking a multipurpose boat that seamlessly transitions from high-speed cruising to recreational activities, the 28 T-Top is a particularly compelling choice in its segment.
The largest model featured at the Wellcraft Sea Trials will be the Wellcraft 38 T-Top, a 38-footer designed to push the concept of a sporty crossover even further. The deck layout features a completely flush, single-level surface that makes moving around on board seamless, enhancing ergonomics and safety while underway. The onboard spaces were designed to encourage social living without compromising functionality, offering premium seating and a layout that allows for a smooth flow between different areas of the boat.
One of the most innovative features is the swim platform layout, engineered for effortless water access. This solution makes the 38 T-Top ideal for fans of water sports, diving, snorkeling, and relaxing in the bay. The added length also allows for smoother handling in challenging seas with superior comfort, all while maintaining the sporty DNA that defines the entire Wellcraft lineup.
The messaging behind the Wellcraft Sea Trials effectively sums up the brand’s identity: building boats for those who view the ocean as a realm to explore rather than just a place for leisure. The entire range showcased during the event shares a common goal of balancing performance and comfort. These traits align with evolving demand in the recreational boating market, where interest is growing in vessels capable of adapting to increasingly diverse cruising itineraries.
The timing places the Wellcraft Sea Trials in a strategic position. The event takes place just a few weeks before the start of the major international boat show season, offering an exclusive opportunity to experience the lineup in action rather than on display. For many boat buyers, the chance to conduct a sea trial before making a purchasing decision adds immense value. Hull performance, maneuvering response, wave handling, and perceived comfort are qualities that only a real-world sea test can fully reveal.
With the Bandol Sea Trials, Wellcraft reinforces a strategy centered on direct product experience, giving participants the opportunity to personally verify the quality of its boats in their natural element. It’s an approach consistent with the brand’s heritage and a lineup built for those seeking uncompromised performance, reliability, and boating freedom.
The event is scheduled for August 27–29, 2026, in Bandol on the French Riviera.
The Wellcraft 28 T-Top, Wellcraft 28 Explorer, and Wellcraft 38 T-Top will be available.
Yes, but by reservation only. Wellcraft is organizing private sea trials with limited availability.
A sea trial allows you to directly evaluate performance, stability, helm ergonomics, and cruising comfort—aspects that simply cannot be felt during a static dockside visit.
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