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I have been a fan of Whaler for quite some time, and am currently considering buying one.
Just curious if there have been quality issues with Whalers since they were bought by Brunswick. Does anyone know what year this took place?
Brunswick pruchased BW in the mid 90's. I recall reading about legal battles with other manufactures at the time. I believe there may have issuses relating to powering a big name like BW with only Mercury... As well as competitive issues. Can't recall details. I am sure it was 95/96. Can't add anything to the quality question.
One of the benefits of ownership by Brunswick (besides being saved from bankruptcy) is that the consistency of the boats quality has improved.
I don't know whether the actual quality has improved or suffered greatly...but quality is a subjective concept. I think that in general, the quality of many industry suppliers has declined. While the bare hulls and consistency in the manufacturing process has improved, the quality of the components used has gone distinctly more vanilla.
This will be a good thing to future owners looking for replacement parts such as navigation lights (try finding a new OR used pair of Wilcox-Crittenden Nav lights from a Classic Outrage). Many of the components used aboard the boats of today are found on several models across manufactured lines. So in 30 years, when you're looking for a replacement part for your 2007 240 Outrage, you will be more likely to salvage a replacement part off another boat than a current owner of a 30 year old Whaler is today.
I believe in 30 years, "Classic" Whaler owners will be looking at the 2037 models and saying "they sure don't make them like they used to." Whether that will be a good thing or a lament remains to be seen.
All of that said, if I were looking for a NEW boat today, Boston Whaler would be on the top of my list.
Brunswick bought whaler in 1996 from Meridian (make of mastercraft). Before that whaler was owned first by Fisher Pierce, the CML group, Reebok, Meridian, then Brunswick. While there were never any quality issues with the "POST" classic accutrac style hulls they just tend to blend into the crowd. No unique styling, no Teak, and for the most part all Mecury Power since 1996.
I think that the new whalers are not nearly as good as the old ones as far as quality. They used to be rugged no frills boats but lacked comfort of newer model boats. I've seen newer ones that didn't hold up very well. The resale price says it all. They are still near the top of new boats but don't blow away the competition like the classics. Just a matter of time before there is a new brand taking over. It'll be interesting to see what boats of today will be the quality classics in 2037.
scooter33 wrote:
Just curious if there have been quality issues with Whalers since they were bought by Brunswick.
Scooter
I've purchased two new Brunswick Whalers and if there's a quality problem with either I've yet to find it. BTW I was out today, cruising the Suwannee, and still have a smile on this old mug.
