Classic Boston Whaler Experience?

[offdahook]

if it aint a whaler it aint azit!

[fisheral87]

Offshore use would be very minimal.

[Gobble Doc]

I've got a 13.5' Whaler with a 40 hp 4-stroke and my kids and I have used it a lot.  I pull them around the lake on knee boards and it works great.  Based on GPS it goes about 30 mph.  Lots of gel coat cracks.  I'll take it out of Everett as long as the weather is OK and there is not too much chop.  We have caught a lot of crab out of it and a lot of flat fish.  Also works great in the Snohomish for pinks.  I'd like a bigger boat but for now it's what I have.  Everett to Whidbey and a lot of running around on less than 6 gallons of gas.  Whatever you end up with just make sure you keep an eye on the weather and other boaters and be safe. 

[fisheral87]

If going in big water give me a deep V aluminum all day, riveted or welded.

Such as?

Most bigger deep v's require more towing capacity. Most of the local budget aluminum boats don't have greater than 18 degree bow dead rise. Which I believe is the bow dead rise of this model whaler.

I do have a personal issue of not being caught dead in a bayliner. There, I said it.

[Kuduman]

If going in big water give me a deep V aluminum all day, riveted or welded.

Such as?

Most bigger deep v's require more towing capacity. Most of the local budget aluminum boats don't have greater than 18 degree bow dead rise. Which I believe is the bow dead rise of this model whaler.

I do have a personal issue of not being caught dead in a bayliner. There, I said it.

Budget Aluminum......

[fisheral87]

Nice. 

I have looked at budget options like Klamath boats but the beam isn't enough IMO.

I like the center console design, being able to walk around is a necessity IMO. I get the reasons for the cabin/enclosure but I could get custom canvas.

I have spent most of my time on Coldwaters and a custom delta marine so I'm spoiled rotten maybe.

Any similar manufactures to klamath?

[Kuduman]

I have 20 years on you so a center counsel doesn't appeal to me like it did when I was 25-40.

 This is my new ride and i couldn't be happier. I laughed when I read your budget aluminum comment because I picked this up for about 30% of what an 18' Budget aluminum would have cost me. .

[fisheral87]

Hell, you don't even look like you've started building up a crust yet!

Nice boat, I guess I should upgrade my towing rig first.

Al

[Kuduman]

I tow that striper with a standard dodge 1500 I don't break any speed records but I get where I'm going. Duel axle trailer

[Alchase]

Most bigger deep v's require more towing capacity.

Is this correct?

I know my sisters 13 ft whaler weighs at least 2 1/2 times what my 13 ft Smoker weighed.

[wildweeds]

Your comparing apples to oranges

Most bigger deep v's require more towing capacity.

Is this correct?

I know my sisters 13 ft whaler weighs at least 2 1/2 times what my 13 ft Smoker weighed.

[j_h_nimrod]

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.

That is a great boat, at one time it was my dream boat. Boston Whalers are great boats for many reasons, they continue to have a lot of popularity and it is not uncommon to turn up boats from the 60s and 70s in very good condition. I have owned a three, operated numerous others, and rebuilt more than a few. The spider cracks are normal and of no worry. Things to look for are soft/delaminated spots on the hull which you can find by tapping with a knuckle, the hull should sound solid not hollow. They were supposedly changing foam formulation about '86 but most knowledgable people said it didn't make a difference. I have seen some waterlogged hulls and most have some water in them but it takes a lot to make a difference. Regardless, you would be getting a bombproof unsinkable boat. They are unsinkable too, the BW commercial where they saw a boat in half is not a joke.

The best knowledge base for these boats is

www.continuouswave.com

There is a ton of information on there and if it is not then someone knows it. I believe the head moderator/site guru, Jim Herbert, is in the Puget Sound area. The site forum can tell you more than you ever wanted to know and I would bet the boat is known to people on the forum.

[Rich_S]

The smaller Boston Whalers don't have enough freeboard to make me feel comfortable when it gets rough and wet. A swamped boat without power is just a log to hang onto.

If I can ever get 'er done, I'm restoring a '64 Evinrude Sport 16. I had a Johnson 19' for several years and really liked it. A tube of hemorrhoid cream was always in the glovebox, though. The pictures aren't of my boat - just an example.









Then there's this one from the movie "Thunderball". Recognize the guy in the passenger's seat? No, not the driver, darn it!

[fisheral87]

I looked at the specific boat this morning and it had a few patches in the hull that were not done professionally and silicone filled holes where a kicker was mounted that look sketchy to me. It looked dirty, I got the impression it was well taken care of prior to the current owner. Maybe my standards are just out of whack.

The hull and layout were awesome, even the wife liked it.

The search continues.

[fisheral87]

Rich,

I'm a big fan of the bond films. I would watch the marathons on TBS with my old man. Daniel Craig does a nice job but Sean Connery is James Bond to me.

It's just too damned bad that everything good comes to an end.

She's got nice lines....

Al