Before Posting, Please Read Our Posting Guidelines Below.
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.
I am looking at a 15 sport with a 70hp. Yam. Do you think this rig would be suitable to use in Barnegat bay? I just sold my 21 Pursuit cc. with a 200hp. Yam because of slip fees and too heavy to trailer. Does anyone use a 15 in larger bays or in the ocean on nice days? Thanks Dave
I use my 15 Sport mainly in the Intracoastal and back creeks. On occassion I go out into the Harbor, which would probably be equal to a large bay, and usually have no problem other than getting splashed. A lot would depend on how many people were on board. I have never ventured out into the ocean as around here the ocean can change in a matter of minutes from dead calm to very rough.
I use my 15' sport much the same way as "Ioptfm" uses his boat, back creeks, small bays, and even large bays, I might make a run across the foot of "Jones Inlet" (Long Island) to get to the state channel but, thats about as far as I would go near the ocean, I would NEVER Venture out the inlet as the 15' sport falls under the catagory of a "Tender" (under 16') and is NOT considered "Sea Worthy". If used to blast around the Bay with 2 or maybe 3 people on board it's fun, and the boat will do it easily, the boat can handle a lot more than any other 15' boat out there but, remember, NEVER push any boat past it's limits, I've seen 15 footers (and even 13 footers) out in the ocean on a calm day "Hot rodding" around but, as "Ioptfm" said, "Conditions can change very fast out in the ocean", all you need is the tide or wind to swing around suddenly, and now you can't get back in the inlet because of 8' "Rollers" coming in, good luck, be safe, and keep your "PFD" on at all times ! some say that I'm afraid of the ocean, my response is "YOU BET I AM"
For what it's worth, I've had my 15 out in 4-6 foot waves on lake michigan and it actually handles them better than my larger cruiser. Mostly this is because the whaler is small enough to just ride up and down the waves, rather than split the waves like my other boat. I would not want to be out there when the waves were breaking though, as that would cause a real risk of capsizing.
I don't think the 15 is built for that mission. Barnegat inlet is rough. While you will probably come back alive, I don't think you will be happy with your choice of boats in the long run
I've been out there several time in a 16 Dauntless, and found it very uncomfortable
