Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: Whaler Insights Please!!

Posted by surline on 08/13/17 - 8:40 AM
#14

Steve & Janis, my wife and I finally sold our 2005 Sea Ray 38 Sundancer (with a 10' Zodiac mounted on the swim platform)last year after we (accountant wife) did an analysis of the average cost per use of the boat and 5 year total cost of the boat. It was a bit staggering to say the least, we could have paid cash for a waterfront condo on what we spent. We were in an expensive marina slip, kept the boat in a heated "boat condo" in the winter, etc. so we probably could have gone cheaper but we didn't. Also, we mostly used the dinghy, taking the big boat out was more effort and limited where we could park. So we sold the big boat and started shopping for a Whaler to keep in our garage and use when the weather cooperated here in Michigan and we had time. After 10 months of search, I found a 2003 160 Dauntless, 115 Mercury with 112 hours, fully equipped with GPS, depth sounder, stereo, two way radio, etc. that we could trailer behind her Audi Q5 and fit in the 3rd bay of my garage.

The boat is a tank, it's overbuilt in many ways and reminded me of the difference between a Sea Ray and a Tiara. Heavy duty everything, two batteries, two bilge pumps, tough as nails. The bow rail is the same diameter as my Sea Ray that weighed 22,000 lbs. We boat mostly on inland lakes and rivers but do venture out on near shore Lake Michigan and do so with confidence. Learning the trailer techniques has been the main challenge. I can do most maintenance and improvements myself thanks to You Tube and forums like this one. I work on it myself and don't need the computer diagnostics that the Sea Ray required. I absolutely love the boat and get a lot of compliments with the pontoon crowd we hang out with. There's nothing like a Whaler in my opinion. Good luck!