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My name is Wes
I stumbled across this forum while obsessing over Whalers. Looks like a good community here.
About myself:
I have never personally owned a Whaler although I've been around them most of my life.
I was born and raised on Oahu, Hawaii(Kailua). Parents were members of Kaneohe Yacht Club. Every summer I took sailing lessons where there were always a couple 13' Whalers zipping around watching over us. Center and side console models, I believe I remember them being blue on the inside. They were always lifted off their dollies with a crane/bridle for use.
At the age of 11 I was certified by PADI through a co-worker of my step-father's(actually think there was an age requirement of 12 at the time). He(step-father) was a GS who worked for NOSC at the Kanoehe Marine Corp Air Station. NOSC for those not in the know, is Naval Ocean Systems Center. No longer in Hawaii, they packed up and downsized back to their San Diego main base. NOSC is the mammal program where they trained mostly dolphins and sea lions for various missions. I believe they were the first to utilize the large cut in the side of their Outrages for the loading/unloading of their animals. I was quite young but I don't think they were 27's. (Looking through the personal pages at one member's Guardian 27', it seemed too big but otherwise the same basic layout) Most likely 22'-25', always twin engines with cages over the props, various console locations-some being forward mounted, all painted navy gray. My step-father also claims that they(NOSC) were the ones who developed GPS.
I also did a lot of deep sea fishing. My best friend's father owned a 30' Banana Patch named "Nai'a" (Porpoise/dolphin in Hawaiian) I believe banana patches were originally 26'-27' footers, but this one was extended in the rear for more work room. A lot of fond memories out in Kaneohe bay, and miles off-shore fishing from Nai'a. From a Mahi Mahi flipping the towel off it's head and cornering my buddy at the transom ending in them being hooked on the same lure..ouch, freaking out at the the thought of "Jaws" getting me when un-tangling a line from the props after we bled and landed a 527# Marlin in the middle of the Molokai channel. Watching an eclipse from La Perouse Bay, Maui and later the stars as I lay between the heat exchangers for warmth(twin inboard 350 V8s)...to the little things such as anchoring at the sand bar to clean her bottom and enjoying a terriyaki beef plate from He'eia Kea boat harbor.
I left Hawaii in '98 to join the Navy. I was stationed in VA Beach at Oceana Naval Air Station for a little over 7 years. I was an aircraft mechanic (AM2) with VFA-87 and later AIMD Oceana. 3 combat cruises. Roosevelt in '99 for Op Nobel Anvil/ Op Southern Watch, Enterprise in '01 for Op Southern Watch/Op Enduring Freedom, and back to the Roosevelt in '03 for Op Iraqi Freedom (Shock and Awe campaign).
After leaving the Navy in '06 I moved to AZ where I began to go back to school. At the same time I worked for a local gun shop, mostly building AR-15s and manning the counter in-store and at gun shows.
Then the economy took a dump...
I'm currently in the process of getting back to active duty. I was sworn in to the reserves on April 1st, this time as a CM2 (Seabee), and I plan on getting back to active duty ultimately getting stationed in Gulfport, Mississippi. There I can root down, get a house and a boat.
OK, back to Whaler talk haha...
I'm really obsessed with the Revenges. More specifically a late 80s, early 90s Revenge 22 WT WD w/ twin engines. I really think this would be the closest I could get to a "Jack of all trades" kind of boat.
Cabin area for storage/privacy/sleeping/etc
Decent work room in the back
Big enough to take out to sea, yet still trailer-able
Fishing/Diving/Cruising
Classic looks/Outrage hull
Wow, didn't mean to write a novel, sorry about that. Anyway, that's my story, and I'm soaking up as much info as I can so in a few years(hopefully) when I'm ready to pick up a boat, I'll be more aware of what to look for in a 25 year old boat.
welcome aboard to the friendliest site you find anywhere. All like to contribute and you will find a wealth of knowledge here. To echo what Joe said..............when you find the one you want don't hesitate or it will probably be gone.........use the Whaler shopper network here also to get someone near the boat to give it a once over for you free of charge.....again, welcome
Ahhhh.... Gulfport, MS. Just a hop, skip and a jump away from us over here in the Mobile area. My work takes me that way very often. I look forward to seeing you at a rendezvous someday.
