Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by mainewhaler13 on 07/21/10 - 11:07 AM

I am looking to repower and have found a great deal on F25 Yamaha 4 stroke short shaft. Should I have any concerns about the weight (156lbs) and power for this this older hull?
The boat will be used on a smallish lake in maine.
Thanks

Posted by Alan Gracewski on 07/21/10 - 11:20 AM

I would have no concerns as you are within the horsepower limits for the hull. However, your title (but not the text) has "Tiller" in it implying you will be steering it from the stern with a tiller arm on the engine?? You will probably find that with you and the engine located far aft (not to mention where the gas tank will be) the boat will be hard to plane. You will likely have to put the engine trim on the lowest hole (closest to the transom) in order to get some lift from the engine to more easily plane. Also be aware that Whaler generally recommended that 20 HP be the max for tiller steering. You are a bit above that but not terribly much. Are you a strong adult or a smaller child?

Al

Posted by mainewhaler13 on 07/21/10 - 11:23 AM

Yes, it will be a tiller steering from the rear bench. I am 6'3, 225, and in my early 30's so I think I can handle the engine, but was concerned about the amount of weight back there. It also have an electric start so I will have a battery hooked up as well, but I could run that forward.

Posted by Joe Kriz on 07/21/10 - 11:31 AM

As Alan mentions, the "Standard" model has a max hp rating of 20hp.
http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...lbum_id=16

Have you thought about installing the Sport interior with steering wheel?
This would move everything forward and allow up to 40hp maximum although the 25 would still work.

Posted by mainewhaler13 on 07/21/10 - 11:44 AM

I considered converting to a console but really like the simplicity of the tiller and would prefer to keep it that way. I had a 1979 Johnson 9.9 on there previously and it would plane with just me in it before, so I have to image the 25 even with the additional weight will get it up on plane. Don't know if anyone else has this set up and could tell me what to expect.
Thanks for the quick responses.

Posted by Alan Gracewski on 07/21/10 - 7:39 PM

Final thought: I ran an 18 HP Johnson for years as a kid with a 3 foot long broom stick held to the tiller arm with 3 stainless hose clamps! It limits the arc of steering, and many today would argue it is unsafe. But we never had a problem. When maneuvering, just tilted the tiller up and steered from the aft seat (my old 14' Crestliner had 3 seats/thwarts and was perfectly balanced with me in the middle seat). You might find a more proper tiller extension and then move your aft seat as far forward as you feel comfortable doing. That will probably cure your severe aft weight bias with a low buck solution.

Al

Posted by tom blinstrub on 07/22/10 - 6:45 AM

You did not mention if you 13' is a factory standard model or you just took the side console out. There is a difference as to how far the rear seat is from the back of the boat. My 1971 standard rear seat is much closer to the back of the boat then my 1967 sport which allows you to hold the tiller handle without leaning way back. This being said, with the standard model you are putting your weight closer to the stern then when sitting in a sport. I have a 25 yamaha 2 stroke manual start that weighs about 110 lbs. and is scary fast (25 knots gps ) and planes at a very slow speed. If you haven't bought the engine yet you should look into getting a 25 or even their 15 2 stroke yamaha. I think you would be happy with the way it handles. Good Luck.

Posted by mainewhaler13 on 07/22/10 - 7:44 AM

This boat has always had a tiller and never a console, so the aft bench is quite far back. I did pick up the 25 hp 4 stroke last night and plan on hanging it this weekend. We shall see how she runs.
Thanks for all the replys.

Posted by mainewhaler13 on 07/28/10 - 10:24 AM

Just figured I would provide some feedback on how things went now that I have had a chance to run it a bit. Overall, I coundn't be more happy with the way the boat performs. I don't have a GPS on board so not sure of performance numbers but the boat really moves. The boat jumps up on plane with me in is solo but tends to "flap" a bit with no weight up front. I plane to move the battery and gas tank forward and potentially slide the rear bench forward as well. The "flap" went away as soon as I moved forward on the seat to the edge. This tiller handle is much longer than the last so it would be simple enough to do to slide the rear bench to solve the problem permanently.
The boat had no problem planing out with 4 adults and a 90lb lab either. All in all I am very happy with the new set up. Thank you all for your insight.