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I'm looking to buy a smaller whaler and on my list are the newer 13 Sport or 13 Dauntless. What's the difference in these boats. The Dauntless appears to have a bit more of a "v" shaped hull and from what I've found it will be heavier than the sport. Is the Dauntless better for rough water? at the cost of draft?

I'm also considering an older 13 or 15 sport. I like the super sports as they have a full bench in front of the console. How do the older sports compare to the newer ones? It looks like the sides are lower. Do the new ones have any wood in the hull at all? I gather the older ones have wood in the transom? Should I be concerned about hull wood rotting on an older boat?

Finally, what are some things I should look for when checking out a boat - specifically on a whaler.

Thanks for the help!

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What and where is your intended use?

First off I suggest you wet test both (130 Sport & 13 Dauntless) boats. That will answer most of your questions.

Having owned both an older 13' (60's) and a newer ('03) 130 Sport I can offer this comparison. The '03 rides better in chop but the older was a better platform (more stable)at rest. I prefer the '03 but that's because I use it for fishing the inshore Florida Gulf where the better ride is a plus. If I were fishing protected waters (read flat) I think the older 13' might suit me better.

As what to look for when checking out a boat. I'll offer this advice. You can follow a check list but if you don't have much experience with boats, motors and trailers you can easily over look some important things. So ask a friend, that knows boats, to come along when you go looking. You'll learn a lot in the process.

Best of luck.

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I'll be using it for fishing, crabbing and exploring around the Chesapeake. A larger boat would give me some more flexibilty in exploring the wider open parts of the bay but my choice of tow vehicles is limited to a Mazda Miata and a Volvo S40.

While it may be possible to tow a larger boat with the Volvo (similar power/weight as that BMW but FWD) I don't think it's a great idea.

I found this at continuouswave.com.
[img]http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/images/800.jpeg[/img]

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I'm not familiar with that body of water but I have done some crabing so I'll suggest that take a look at the 150 Sport. The extra two feet will come in handy with crab rings/traps as well as being able to handle a little bigger water. Dry weight (no engine) is about 900 lbs (300 lbs more than the 130) so towing shouldn't be a problem. The 130 and 150 draft about the same for skinny water fishing and exploring.

Just a thought. :)

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i too would recommend a 15 sport for the activities that you describe. i live off the magothy river (just north of the bay bridge) and have owned a couple of older 13 sports...i now own a '75 montauk. the 13 will very much limit your range and the number of days you can spend on the water. you'll be confined mostly to rivers and creeks (usually good crabbing there anyway). especially on the weekends you'll find the wake chop will just pound you to death in a 13. even a 15 won't be a whole lot better, but 2 feet is 2 feet and on a boat that's a lot. you'll appreciate the extra space for storage and just being able to move around. any more than 2 adults is crowded on a 13.

i think the 15 weighs only a couple of hundred pounds more than the 13 -- just like a large adult sitting in the back seat of your volvo. i'd think you could tow it with no problem.

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goberserk,

I would look at the classic 15' whalers. A S40 will have no issues towing it and it does have a greater "V" to the bottom which will produce a better ride in the chop. I would look for a 15' center console are a rough sport or super sport and convert it to a center console like set up. We had a 15 Super sport and it was a great boat however with the layout it was not the best for fishing with more than 1 person.

Here is a link to the 15' CC from or model gallery

15CC

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How about this one?

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/boa/326880355.html

The console looks, well, unlike other whaler parts I've seen. The price seems a bit high too. I've seen listings for 2000 vintage 13 Sports and Dauntlesses for $8000.

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Yeah, based on pictures of other 15 sports the console, throttle mount and seats look all wrong. The seats may just have been painted (why you'd want to cover up that nice wood is beyond me). I asked the seller about it via email . . . I guess I'll see what he says.

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It is priced so high probably do to the fact of it having a newer Yamaha 4 Stroke on it. The interior is close in style to the standard 15 sport however it looks like it was made out of StarBoard instead of Wood.

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as an fyi, i spent about $6700 in the annapolis area to have that exact motor hung on my montauk last year, although mine is a 2005 motor. clearly the guy is trying to recoupe some of those costs.

i guess if you're purist you'd want the teak. if it's painted, then it's restorable with a LOT of work. i had a 13 that had previously had all of the teak painted black (!!!). if it's starboard, it will cost you quite a bit to have teak made to replace it...and there are places that will do it. $$$!

keep looking around but i'd guess that one will sell for around $7500 because of the motor. those boats go fast in this area. don't know how long it's been listed but i might offer him $7000 just to see if he really wants to get rid of it.

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Thanks for the info! Wow, I didn't realize how expensive those outboards are. Turns out the boat lived at the YMCA Camp Letts in Annapolis. The seats are the original wood that have been painted except on the underside (so the original finish is still visible). The camp had installed that console from a McKee craft and the Yamaha dealer installed the throttle rig with the motor (Boaters World in Grasonville).

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I'll throw my two cents in and recommend that you go with the 15' over the 13' if you can. It's not much heavier but the ride is exponentially better.


For the record: I've owned a Sport 15 and ridden on a neighbor's Sport 13.

Bill

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I suggest you look at a brand new 15'whaler and new two stroke e-tec and a new trailer, if you can manage the money. Spend time on the water, not with your project boat. You bought a volvo because you know it a good value and will hold its value. Do the same with your boat. If it brakes down on the water you can;'t pull over to the shoulder of the highway and call AAA to come get you. Your life is worth a new reliable boat, you deserve it. Another option is sell your current cars up grade to a larger tow vehicle and get a bigger whaler like a 17' footer. good luck, just some thoughts.

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Actually, the Volvo is my girlfriends car. I conviced her to let me install a hitch.