Classic Boston Whaler Experience?

[fisheral87]

I am considering buying a classic boston whaler, does anyone have any input or experience with 1980's whalers hopefully here in the NW?

Current Considerations:
Spider webbing of the fiberglass
Water logged internal foam

Thanks,

Al

[Skillet]

I'm familiar with a few of the models - what size and model are you looking at? 

[lokidog]

Also where and when you are fishing?

Spider web cracks of the gelcoat are pretty common on all older fiberglass boats.  I would be concerned if the glass was spiderwebbed (gelcoat chipping along edges of spiderweb).  As far as waterlogged foam, I would think that if it is closed cell foam or polystyrene, you would have no issues.

We used an 18 footer back in the 70s and early 80s that a friend owned on lakes, awesome boat.  Here on the sound, I would consider one for fishing decent weather but they would be a rough ride during most of the winter.

[washelkhunter]

BW's are overpriced and overhyped but they will knock your kidneys out crossing even minor chop. If going in big water give me a deep V aluminum all day, riveted or welded.

[Charlie]

I considered buying a whaler in the 80's. Something around 14-16'.  I really liked the layout. I can't remember what the prices were running back then but they were pricier the other boats of the same size. I ended up going to the boathouse at Point Defiance to see if I could find someone who owned one. I was able to talk to two guys with whalers in the 14-16' range. I think they were 14' but I am not 100% on that. Both guys said pretty much the same thing. They said the boats are virtually unsinkable but if the water isn't like glass you will get as wet as if they had sunk. They told me if I bought a whaler I should also buy a good set of rain gear. That being said, both men loved their whalers and wouldn't consider getting something different. I never did find the right deal on one and ended up with a 15' Tide Runner Point Special. Good luck!

[Kuduman]

Ran a 21' Outrage for several years back in the early 80's on the great lakes and the Chesapeake bay all while conducting search and rescue operations while serving the the Coast Guard.
 Great boat. Aside from the obvious cosmetic flaws associated with a 35 year old boat you may want a independent marine consultant to do a structural inspection  prior to purchase. As stated earlier these boats were not built with the pacific northwest in mind and although I'm  a big fan of Boston Whaler there are infinite better choices for offshore use. 

Good Luck

[fisheral87]

1986, outrage 18 for lakes, sound, and on years when the tuna are close possibly off the coast, also needs to function as a family boat that I can tow with my current nissan frontier.

[washingtonmuley]

Fished the crap out of the 17' whalers on Kodiak while stationed up there. Very capable boat for it's size.

[offdahook]

i had da 1985 22 outrage one of best boat ever made imo

[johnr060]

We had an 87 13 ft, It was an awesome boat. But your probably looking for something a little bigger.

[fisheral87]

Offdahook, Johnr,

Did those boats ride hard in 2+ foot waves?

Thanks,

Al

[fisheral87]

Ran a 21' Outrage for several years back in the early 80's on the great lakes and the Chesapeake bay all while conducting search and rescue operations while serving the the Coast Guard.
 Great boat. Aside from the obvious cosmetic flaws associated with a 35 year old boat you may want a independent marine consultant to do a structural inspection  prior to purchase. As stated earlier these boats were not built with the pacific northwest in mind and although I'm  a big fan of Boston Whaler there are infinite better choices for offshore use. 

Good Luck

Unfortunately my bank account isn't infinite.

[wildweeds]

No they fly and skip over the tops it's a throttle management thing,find the sweet spot and let it go,My old man had one and he sold it one day without saying a word to me.It was an 18 foot outrage with a 135 mariner on it,I fished out of it up north here in area 7.I took it out one day in a 47 mph SE wind,and left from Bellingham,Bellingham bay is sporty in a 20,it's epic in 40+(Yeah I ran out of talent on the way in and broached it,filled it with water and romped on the throttle to clear it out the back).We fished that boat in the ocean at Uclulet in a 30,halibut fished it 36 miles out in uclelet as well,my old man made a dozen or so trips to Nootka with it. Great rough water boat,they actually ride worse IMO on glass water,want to porpoise along,personlly I think they ride better with the suface tension of the water freed up by chop.The location of the Center console gets you back where the ride is better,towards the stern,the best ride in any boat is close to the transom,it's always in the water.

Offdahook, Johnr,

Did those boats ride hard in 2+ foot waves?

Thanks,

Al

[jay.sharkbait]

I had a 17' Montauk and put it through hell.

I got it after a tree fell on it and caved in the side. Fixed it, swamped it, towed logs from Devils Head to the cabin on Henderson inlet.

It finally died when I sold it and the guy ran it at speed into a bridge.

[offdahook]

it ran good over wave 2' is nothing cut like butter..been out 60 mile offshore tuna off cali coast but mines was 22'