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I bought a 1976 Whaler Sport 17ft model with a fiberglass center console (no seat). The boat is in fair condition and needs some help. I picked it up with the trailer for $700 and since I had 2 motors sitting around I thought it would be a good project. I am not a fan of the sport model. My question is how important is it to stick with the original model configuration? I am thinking of bringing the boat back with a Montauk configuration.

1976 seems like a transition year, did they have a blue deck on this model? Mine has tons of blue paint.

Also, the boat needs hull repairs and and new paint. I plan to work on it over the winter.

Thanks,
Mitch

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Hi Mitch,

No, the interior was not blue.
Does not sound like a 1976 year model.
http://www.whalercentral.com/faq.php?...p?cat_id=5

See this on HIN and Stencil numbers:
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=61

Sounds like you have a Custom model as the interior is not original and unknown year at this time.

Here are the 17' Sport models starting in 1976.
http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...lbum_id=46

Sounds like you can customize this hull anyway you want and create your own "Custom" model.
Let us know what you do.

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Thanks Joe. My title says 1976 Sport, 17ft... The HID Number also has a 76 in it, pretty sure it is a 76. But I get what you are saying regarding the custom.

I have the smaller bow locker and the Smirkless bow. I am concerned going with wood with the maintenance, but really like the center console. I would like a rear bench seat as well.

I am in the process of stripping off the blue paint, going to leave it white. I pretty much have a blank slate, looking to do something interesting, but would like to stick to the center console.

I live in the new england area and can come across many used parts.

Thanks,
Mitch

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What is the HIN number?

What is the Stencil number on the inside of the transom below and between the 4 motor mounting bolts.

There were only a handful of 1976 year models that did not have the smirked hull. Yours may be one of these but yes, it would not have the blue interior unless someone painted it as you mentioned.
See this list and look at some of the models built in later 1975 where it says in Red "Actually a 1975 hull"
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=17

If it is a 1973 to 1976 smirkless hull, you could easily convert it to a Montauk by finding a used winged console and used or new Reversible Pilot Seat.
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=58

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I do not see a stencil number, could that have been removed?

On the title I have BW6B6086M76C

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I will take a couple pictures tomorrow and post.

Thanks for your help.
Mitch

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Never ceases to amaze me about what those Titles say.
All they care about is tax money and not accuracy of numbers on boats.

BWC stands for Boston Whaler Corporation
NOT BW6 on the title.

This should be your recorded HIN with Boston Whaler.
BWCB6086M76C

Yes, you have one of the few 1975 hulls Boston Whaler sold as 1976 and tried to fool everyone by getting rid of the older hulls and pawning them off as new.

You will find the Stencil number once you remove some of that blue paint.
It is embedded in the Gel Coat.
We really need your Stencil number to possibly fill in some Gaps.
Please find your Stencil number if at all possible:
http://www.whalercentral.com/forum/vi...ad_id=9993

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Hi Joe,

Called Boston Whaler this morning and they were able to provide me some good information

The boat was a 17 Sport
Left the plant in Nov 1, 1975
Shipped to Norwich, CT... I live in CT so the boat has not traveled far.

They tell me that the Stencil Number is 3B0413

Regards,

Mitch

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Uh oh I can see this is one of Joe's infamous white whalers screwing up the ## system!
TP

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Hi,
Started my sanding... Down to the gelcoat, but it looks like it is tan color, is that what it is supposed to be?

I am committed to restoring this boat, but not sure I want a Sport model. I have a fiberglass console that came with the boat, but not original. How important is it to stick to the original model configuration when restoring this boat?
Also, the deck is a mess. Do I try to restore the original non skid or just go with a non skid paint over a new gelcoat?

Any suggestions are appreciated.

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Geomek,
Where in CT are you located? I'm also in CT and located in Cheshire. I'm working on a 15' restore. Feel free to contact me at (removed email address per guideline #4 at the top of this page) and we can chat.

Good luck!

kayaken

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HI Kayaken,

Thanks for the help, I am in Stamford. I went through your restore pictures. My biggest issue right now is the deck, which is caked on with paint. Did you try the sandblasting method, how did that go? You said you bought the equipment. I tried the paint stripper method and it does not always work, and definitely does not work well on the floor.

Thanks,
Mitch

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Hello,
Looking back at this post, it has been a while. I am getting back to working on this whaler after 2 years of it sitting in my garage. I did all the prep work and now we are working on patching all the holes and getting the boat back to a near new condition. I have a buddy who works in the auto body business help me, so it should be good. I will put this back together with the center console I have, but my buddy is pushing me to change the color. The original was tan inside and the off white/light grey outside. My buddy would like to change the hull color to something bright, such as blue or red. I am not inclined to do this, but if I do I may paint the bottom blue and put back a red strip that was on the hull sides. I have seen the entire hull painted blue. What is the opinion here on painting the entire hull a bright color?

is there any historical significance that this boat is the last boat shipped with the older mold?

Thanks,
Mitch

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Hi Mitch,

That is definitely a 16' hull as I mentioned above in post #7
It has the smirkless bow and the small rectangle bow locker.

http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...cle_id=100

http://www.whalercentral.com/faq.php?...p?cat_id=5

Do you hav a photo of the HIN plate for reference?

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Hi Joe,
I think the HIN plate was removed at some point, not sure why or when, but it is not on the boat. But working off the title I was able to confirm the year and original make from Boston Whaler, who kept good records.

Mitch

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How about a photo of the Stencil number?
Have you actually uncovered that?

3B0413

Always nice to have a photo verification as many states could careless as I mentioned above.
Without an HIN plate, or the Stencil number from the hull, we can only go by what the state registration says and that may not be correct.
Also, some boats can have altered or misprinted paperwork. I am surprised this boat can be registered without any numbers from the hull.


Does you paperwork actually have that misprinted number?
If so, what other numbers or letters might also be misprinted?

Here is a photo of a 1974 hull.
3A9024
http://www.whalercentral.com/images/p...0_0518.jpg

To verify your hull, it would be nice to uncover the Stencil number and then you will know for sure what you actually have.

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Hi, yes my title is misprinted, looking at it now. The HIN number on the title is BW6, not BWC. I am going with what Boston Whaler told me a couple years ago. I will take another look for the stencil numbers tomorrow, maybe sand the area a bit more and see.

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I have the same hull. A 1964 and a 1966. The stencil # on the 1964 is in the anchor well on the rear vertical bulkhead. The # on the 1966 is in the splash well.

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Confirmed! It is 3B0413. Check out the attached picture.

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Outstanding.

Now you know exactly what the numbers are on this hull.

You could have a new HIN plate made.
See the 3rd photo down:
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...cle_id=103

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I personally can understand the work involved in a restoration. My sincere question to you, and only because of your earlier comments......is this the hull for you. Paying $500 and having motors, figuring your investment/parts is it worth the work? Price and accessories are not reason enough. Do you want a boat this length and hull design as a "keeper"? If so carry on. If not.....maybe think about your commitment and use and consider other options. You will never financially recover your time and cost investment. These restorations are a labor of love.

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Hi,
I live about 1 mile from Long Island sound and have a cabin in the Adirondack mountains. This boat is perfect for both. I could buy a new or used Montauk, but I am pretty good with motors and fixing this is for my enjoyment. Reading through the blogs I appreciate the whaler boat more now than I did a couple years ago when I started down this path. This is a boat with a character and a story....

Besides, I am not really going to restore it. I am going to gelcoat the interior the desert tan, but the hull will be a different color.

Mitch

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Mitch:

Good luck with whatever you decide to do with this BW16 hull.

You should know you have more options for fastening console and seat components to the floor since the hull is structurally different with more plywood substrate when compared to a Boston Whaler 16 "blue hull." Look at the wood locating diagram to confirm my statement.

mtown, your advice was incorrect.

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I gave no advice,simply stated where my stencil # were found.