Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by zenwar on 10/11/12 - 12:21 PM

New Whaler owner (1981 Montauk 17) and new to WhalerCentral. I have a question which may have been asked before--but I have searched site as best I can and if guidance is on WhalerCentral I cannot find.

I purchased the Whaler with a late 90's Mercury outboard motor--no dealer thus far has been able to specify the horses, but it is at least a 115 hp and most likely a 135 hp. Motor is giving me problems--I recently had a repair shop, approached for repairs, both inform me the motor was too big for the Whaler and thus refuse to work on it. This was news to me--previous owner says motor has been on boat for years and has been worked on.

Question: I am now seriously considering a new motor. Any thoughts on what horsepower should be? Use will be primarily--most likely exclusively--big lake fishing (Ouachita and Beaver lakes in AR) rarely, if ever, with more than 2 adults on board. I know there is subjectity here but wd appreciate thoughts on smallest/largest in terms of horsepower. I thank you in advance for any thoughts.

Posted by Joe Kriz on 10/11/12 - 12:56 PM

See the specifications in the "Whaler Models and Info" link on the left sidebar for the Montauk.

http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...lbum_id=14

100 HP is maximum

Also on the left sidebar under Articles is "Current Engine Choices" for 16/17' hulls.
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...ticle_id=5

Two favorite choices:
1. Yamaha 70 hp four stroke @ 257 pounds
2. E-Tec 90 @ 320 pounds

Posted by zenwar on 10/11/12 - 2:28 PM

Thanks, again. Last time I will bother you, at least for a while. This site is more than helpful, it is simply outstanding--you have done a good thing here. All best wishes.

Posted by Finnegan on 10/11/12 - 2:31 PM

First of all, find another Mercury shop. You are in Mercury bass boat country, so I would think finding a Merc dealer to work on the engine would not be a problem. It will be much less expensive to keep what you have over the large cost of a new 90.

Are there no decals on the engine? If your engine is a 115, it will be an in-line 4 with an integral oil injection tank. If your engine is a 135, it will be a V-6, with a remote 3 gallon oil injection tank about the size of a battery.

My guess is the 115, which should be fine for the boat. I have seen some Merc V-6's on Montauks, and they can handle the weight, which is about the same size cowling and weight as the YamaMerc 4-stroke 90's the company was installing in 2001.

Edited by Finnegan on 10/11/12 - 2:32 PM

Posted by kamie on 10/11/12 - 2:46 PM

I agree with Finnegan on finding another dealer to see if you can fix your current outboard. The dealer has no liability at all working on an over powered boat and so no reason to refuse to do the work. That being said, if you go to hang a new engine, the max HP is 100 for that hull which means your limited to a 90HP as most dealers won't mount an engine and knowingly overpower a hull.

Posted by zenwar on 10/11/12 - 2:53 PM

#10

There are no decals whatsoever. Please understand that I know just enough about motors to be dangerous.

I have the serial # but in going online have found that the serial #'s on the Mercs are kinda all over the place and I have not found any guidance.

I will look for what you describe in your reply to my post. The response of the repair shop was totally unexpected; other dealers, including one earlier this summer, have worked on it without problem--I really appreciate your response. Thanks.

Posted by zenwar on 10/11/12 - 2:57 PM

#11

Kamie, thanks. I completely agree that the repair shop has no liability--they didn't recommend the motor or otherwise cause it to be installed. I don't know what their problem was--I argued hard but got nowhere with them. And this was after they had motor and boat for over a week.

I am going to look for another repair shop. Really don't want to spend the money for a new motor.