Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by ceoak on 07/25/10 - 6:14 PM

Just got a 13 foot ss 1988. with no engine. have a 1985 35 hp merc 2 stroke to put on.
Thinking of putting on a 40hp 4 stoke honda. i worried about the weight. Will that be to much or go with a 25-30hp honda 4 stoke?

Posted by whalerman on 07/26/10 - 6:41 AM

Put the 35hp Merc 2-stroke on and enjoy. The 4s are heavy engines. The older 13's don't like a lot of engine weight.

Edited by whalerman on 07/26/10 - 6:43 AM

Posted by thecapgroup on 07/26/10 - 9:49 AM

I have a 1971 13' and we just repowered with a Merc 40hp 4 stroke. Previously we had a 35hp 2 stroke.

The new 4 stroke does weight more, but by moving the fuel tank foward it is nicely balanced. The difference between the old 2 stroke and the new Merc is night and day. Lots of power and whisper quite. It was an expensive repower (the engine was 5K), but well worth it.

Good luck. --Kevin

Posted by thegage on 07/26/10 - 10:56 AM

According to what I can see on the web a 40hp Merc 4-stroke weighs at least 260 lbs. An old 35 2-stroke would have been about 150 lbs.? That must be some big fuel tank!

Seriously though, everyone has their comfort level. I just repowered with an E-TEC 30hp at about 160 lbs., plus a trans adapter at another 15 lbs. That's my limit for what I think the older 13-footers can tolerate, but others have no issue with going heavier.

The long-shaft transom 13-foot models can tolerate a bit more weight, but I don't know how much

John K.

Edited by thegage on 07/26/10 - 10:58 AM

Posted by thecapgroup on 07/26/10 - 7:29 PM

That weight sounds about right. The 40 hp is definately heavier than the old 35, but the power difference is remarkable. With the 4 stroke it no longer sounds like chain saw behind you head!

We had the local Whaler dealer in Annapolis do the work and they've hung quite a few of the 40's on older model with good success, so it was reassuring to have them do the work.

I'm going to try to set up a personal page and post some pics. Let me know if you have any pics of your boat.

Thanks, Kevin

Posted by Phil T on 07/26/10 - 7:44 PM

Please take time to look through the great articles and reference information on the site.

Here is an article on engine choices for the 13'

http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=78

Another quick way to seek answers is to use the search feature, located under the WhalerCentral banner.

Posted by vitobill on 07/27/10 - 7:52 AM

I have a 1978 13' Whaler that I repowered to a 40hp 2004 4 stroke Honda. It is heavy for the boat, and would definitely not go with more horsepower, but that having been said, the 40hp is quiet, fuel efficient and powerful. I am quite happy with it. I also have a 13' Whaler (1971) with a 35hp 1976 Johnson 2 stroke. That boat is definitely lighter and possibly just as fast as the honda. It is much louder though and not as smooth. Both are the fun, however! Any more than 40hp and I believe it would be bordering on dangerous.

Posted by number9 on 07/27/10 - 6:45 PM

As others said if the motor weight on the stern if offset by additional weight forward is not a problem trim wise. Recently had to place about 100 lbs. ballast forward on a 16' aluminum v-hull just to keep it from porpoising with a F25 tiller.