1. Use the full 4 digit year for everything you are asking your question about. Example: 1962, 1988, 2000, 2011
2. Include the correct name of your Whaler model. Example: Montauk 17, Montauk 170, Outrage 26, Outrage 260
3. Include the length when necessary. Example: 16, 17, 18, 20, 22
4. Do not post your email address anywhere on this site as it is already in your user profile.

Do I really have to Have a Merc?
Jasonbighands	#1  Posted on 01/16/08 - 6:16 PM
Member Posts: 15 Comments: 0 Joined: 01/16/08	I'm very interested in a new 17 Montauk...but I want a Yamaha, not a Merc. So, I don't wanna get into a which is better debate, and I know Brunswick owns Whaler... My question is, does anybody know a dealer that would take the 90 merc off, keep the motor for another boat, and put me on and rig a Yamaha? I really want to have a Whaler...please help! Edited by Jasonbighands on 01/17/08 - 7:50 AM
Jeff	#2  Posted on 01/16/08 - 6:25 PM
Member Posts: 1987 Comments: 34 Joined: 04/02/05	Shop around and see if you can find a dealer that may be willing to order you a boat without power? I think you may be able to find one in the Great Lakes area. I have a feeling Irish Boat Shop up in Northern Michigan or Twin Cities Marine in Wisconsin are dealerships would be your best bet. Or find a large dealer that sells Whalers and also is a Yamaha dealer. They would be most likely to give you a credit for the motor and rig you with a Yamaha. That situation would be your best bet for losing the least amount of money with you having to buy a Whaler with power. Outside of that you could buy the boat and buy the Yamaha and have it rigged then try and sell it yourself. Here is Irish's Site. They are one of better dealerships I know of. Also, try Twin Cities Marine as they are also by far one of the best around as well. They are not only a whaler dealer but a Yamaha dealer as well. Here is their site. Edited by Jeff on 01/16/08 - 8:03 PM 1993 23' Walkaround Whaler Drive
kamie	#3  Posted on 01/16/08 - 6:40 PM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 2975 Comments: 3 Joined: 11/04/05	There are dealers that will do that, you just need to find one that sells whaler's and Yamaha's and talk to them. You will purchase the Whaler w/ the engine and they will sell you a new Yahama for which you will trade in a brand new Merc + $. They will then rig the boat with new controls, ect and you pay the difference? If you looking to do this on the new 190 Montauk, I would not look for big price breaks. If you can't find a single whaler dealer to do this for you, you can find a separate dealer that sells Yahama and Merc or will take a new 0 hours Merc trade in, but simular deal. This will cost you. Your other option is to look for a used whaler that already comes with a Yamaha.
Jasonbighands	#4  Posted on 01/16/08 - 6:57 PM
Member Posts: 15 Comments: 0 Joined: 01/16/08	Yeah..I know I could jump through a bunch of hoops, I'm just trying to find the path of least resistance. Thanks for the help. My Dad bought his Grady from Twin Cities, and I plan on talking to them tomorrow.
kamie	#5  Posted on 01/16/08 - 7:07 PM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 2975 Comments: 3 Joined: 11/04/05	I don't believe they can order a boat without power unless they are doing a warranty claim.
Tom W Clark	#6  Posted on 01/16/08 - 7:44 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 4280 Comments: 7 Joined: 09/30/05	There is NO WAY you can order a new Montauk without Mercury power. Period. Once you have the new boat there is nothing stopping you from swapping the Merc out for anything you like, even before you ever start the thing. You just pay for what you want. Edited by Tom W Clark on 01/16/08 - 7:46 PM
stormrider	#7  Posted on 01/16/08 - 8:11 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 38 Comments: 0 Joined: 06/26/06	Why not buy a boat a few yrs old, and repower, sell old engine? Not much should wear down on the boat, except for the engine. unless the boat is not taken care of.
jollyrog305	#8  Posted on 01/17/08 - 4:31 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 200 Comments: 0 Joined: 01/15/08	I didn’t think that the engines on the new Montauks were OptiMax’s but rather the new 90 ELPT L4NA FourStrokes, or what Mercury is just calling “FourStrokes”. I was also under the impression that these engines were based on the Verado design, - the supercharger
Jasonbighands	#9  Posted on 01/17/08 - 6:38 AM
Member Posts: 15 Comments: 0 Joined: 01/16/08	Thanks for all the info...does anyone else get frustrated that boat manufacturers, not just Whaler do this? If you want a Grady, you must take Yamaha, Whaler Merc, Donzi Merc, etc. I guess it just doesn't seem like the American way. It could keep me from getting the boat. I know I'm not part of any study group, and 99 out of 100 wouldn't probably care what kind of OB they get, but if I pay the money they are asking for a product, I want what I want. Guess I'm being old fashioned @ 29 years old. Thanks everyone BTW...Jason
sraab928	#10  Posted on 01/17/08 - 10:30 AM
Member Project Albums Posts: 1282 Comments: 13 Joined: 12/27/05	Thats why the outboard manufacturers gobbled up the boat manufactures... increased market share.... love it or hate it... it is what it is. I could be wrong but I thought you could order the commerical Whaler hull unpowered. May be more money but resale would be higher on a commercial hull as well. I dont know if they make a comparable model to what you are looking for though. Just food for thought. Scott 1974 21' Revenge w Mercury 200 ProXS V8
Gary Sr	#11  Posted on 01/18/08 - 6:33 AM
Member Posts: 58 Comments: 0 Joined: 11/17/07	Jason, I wish you well in your quest to find a dealer that will sell you a hull without a Merc. In 2002 I wanted to purchase a 260 Outrage without Optimax engines. I went to every local dealer, the NY Boat Show and the Miami Boat Show. No Whaler dealer would sell me a boat without Merc power. I purchased the Outrage fitted with 225 hp Optimax engines and Smart Craft gauges from a dealer 50 miles from my slip. After the first month of having no problems the Smart Craft Gauges became stupid. They sounded no gas, engine high rev, low volts...you name it they indicated problems that were not there. Then the port engine fuel injectors began causing starting problems. Then the starboard engine would just shut down. The dealer was fantastic, sending a tech 50 miles to my slip every week. But as one problem was fixed another started. In 2004 I sold the Opti's and repowered with 225 hp Suzuki four strokes. Have not had a problem since. Maybe the Merc's knew that I did not want them so they were unhappy.
Binkie	#12  Posted on 01/19/08 - 11:37 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 2012 Comments: 0 Joined: 12/19/05	Sounds like a lot of hassle and uneeded expense, for just personal preference. rich
David1877	#13  Posted on 03/12/08 - 9:53 PM
Member Posts: 6 Comments: 0 Joined: 03/11/08	I had a Yamaha on my first Whaler and I thought it was a great engine. If given the choice, I too would have selected a Yamaha or Honda on my other rigs. I have had a few problems with my current engine, but I have owned two Optimax engines and have no significant complaints at present. When it comes time to repower, it may be another brand. You could do the same. I think the new Mercs come with a 5 year warranty? Look into it. Take advanatge of the financial slowdown, rebates that may exist and late model boats sitting on th floor collectign dust. There are good deals to be had. I bought my current rig from Al at Twin Cities. I think they are welling to repower with Yamaha but it is costly.