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Well, we finally got the big boat in Texas! My wife and I went up to Wisconsin this week, started last Sunday and got back to Houston LMC Marine for the repowering and new electronics installation on Friday afternoon. We had a great trip, saw a lot of beautiful countryside, and learned all about state DOT beauracracies between Wisconsin and Texas!

It only took 2 days driving to get to Delafield WI, a picturesque small town about 15 miles from Pewaukee, where we were picking up the boat. I spent all day Tuesday getting the oversize load permits and routing set up. Since I smoke cigars and WI state law prohibits smoking indoors at hotels, I used the spacious cab on our F-350 as an office, and the hotel fax machine for paper transfers. The WI and IL permits were fairly easy to get and I got them by fax on Tuesday. The MO permit was the next one needed, and it was not so easy. MO DOT requires 1million liability to set up the required account with the state in order to actually get a permit. Had to get proof of insurance and fill out a form from MO DOT and then fax all this stuff to them just to get the account set up. I chose a company in CA called, appropriately, "The Permit Co", to actually deal with routing on the permits, but I had to deal with MO and TX DOT offices myself to establish accounts for the permit service to use in my name. Every state has different regulations for the oversize permits requiring specific information about the tow vehicle and load. Texas requires an account that is established with a $10000 surety bond as well. I started working on permitting the trip through WI, IL, MO, AR, and TX at about 0800 on Tuesday, and by 1630 had done all I could do for the day. I managed to have in hand WI and IL permits and routing, but still needed the rest for the entire trip.

Wednesday we drove over to Pewaukee to pick up the boat after mailing the physical copy of the bond required for the TX permit. While we were there getting the boat secured for transport, tying down all the moving parts, getting all the oversize load signs and flags placed on the truck and boat, picking up all the miscellaneous stuff like fenders, manuals, and storm canvas, the MO permit was faxed to us at the previous owner's home. We now were legal to travel in WI, IL and MO on the route specified on the permits.

After hooking the trailer to the F-350 we were finally ready to start our adventure! I was hoping that the F-350 4X4 we have would be adequate for moving this boat, and I was not disappointed! With all the tongue weight of the trailer on the hitch, the rear of the 14500# rated truck only dropped about 2", making the rig level, not weighted down to the point of having the front end pointed up as in the pictures of the last owner's setup. I am no longer considering a gooseneck trailer to prevent this as a result. The trailer we bought with the boat is a 1992 Karavan with hydraulic surge brakes and will definitely be replaced soon. This trailer is in good shape, but I am concerned with the roller side guides, (they leave black marks), and the hydraulic surge braking system. This was the first time I have ever experienced this type of braking system, and it will be the last! All that thunking at stop/starts was disconcerting, to say the least! The trailer does have a set of keel rollers that are supporting all the weight, but I prefer bunks to having any rollers on a trailer for a Boston Whaler. We will be making a trip to Magnum Trailers here in central TX very soon after the repower to get a new custom trailer built. I phoned in the required axle-to-axle measurements required for the AR permit to the permit service.

After the obligatory "tip of the cap and hearty wave" specified in the owner's manual for the boat, we took off for Texas. (Actually, we didn't do that, I only found that in the Owner' Manual after we stopped for the night in IL, but it makes a good story:) Anyway...

The 2013 Ford F-350 is truly amazing as a tow vehicle. I was astounded at how easy it was to pull this huge boat. The new 6.7 L 400HP / 800 ft lb torque engine didn't seem to realize that it had a load back there! I commented to my wife when asked how it was pulling that it felt like the Outrage 18 behind the F-150! Actually, this rig did not downshift as much as that one does! I kept the speed at 65 MPH and below on most of the trip to avoid tearing anything up on the boat, but this truck would pull at any speed, never dropping more than 2mph in cruise control with this 11000 lb load. I posted a picture of our rig just before we left WI on my personal page.

We stopped in Rochelle IL for the night, and I got my permits for AR and TX faxed to me from the permit service to our hotel. For the first time, I knew we could definitely legally transport the boat all the way to LMC Marine!

We left about 0630 on Thursday and drove all day to some Podunk town in AR that I honestly cannot remember the name of, stayed the night and left again for TX. We ran into the only rain we went through the whole trip in Texarkana AR at the AR/TX state line. It was intense but only lasted for about 30 minutes and did not seem to get the boat or the truck too dirty. We got to LMC Marine about 1430.

We dropped the boat at LMC for repower and discussed with the service manager what we needed to do. My sales rep at LMC thinks we may need to remove the 50HP trolling motor in order to make the dry-stacking at Surfside Marina possible, but I am insisting we get the 300's on the boat and take measurements before deciding to do this. I really want to keep this trolling motor in place, this is a custom mount on a Whaler Drive, and a lot of trouble has been gone to in order to have this feature, and I LIKE it. My sales rep at LMC has a direct line of communication with the owners of the Marina, and she actually keeps at least one boat there herself, so she will keep me informed as to requirements. I am taking all the new electronics down to LMC on Monday for the refit, and I have to get pictures of all the ID/Serial numbers in order to tart the process of registering the boat and motors in TX with the TPWD. I am concerned that the Hull ID number on the transom does not have the "BWC" legible, the printing has long since faded, and this is what started all the trouble I had with TPWD when I got the Outrage 18 registered with them a couple of years ago. If anyone knows where the other hidden hull ID number is located on a Whaler 27 FC, it sure would be appreciated. If I don't know before Monday, I will have to hunt it down, and this boat has a LOT of hiding places! (For those interested in what can happen if you try to register your Whaler WITHOUT the BWC prefix showing on the Hull ID tag, see my post here "TPWD seizes my boat!" )

After the dropping at LMC, my wife and I went to Goode's Seafood Co downtown for some of the best seafood in the world, and then, finally, we got home last night. All in all, we had a good trip, but most of all, the Big addition to our fleet here in TX is finally home!

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Must have been a fun adventure.

Sweet boat, looking forward to seeing more pictures.

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Heck of a boat but 300HP engines!!

When you get it rigged, start a thread on "Engines". I'd be curious about the fuel efficiency of the rig. The closest current Whaler is the 28' Conquest which is a 7300#'s vs. 27 FC WD at 5600#.

Will the 300HP's have a fuel management system?

The most efficient engine combo on that boat is the 225HP Verados. The 250HP Verados see pretty significant drop in mpg and in the range in which you can get best mpg.

225HP
1.5 mpg from 26-31 mph with 1.56 at 26 mph the best.
250HP
1.52 at 34 mph with 1.52 at 34 mph the best.

Slower or faster the mpg drops with the 250HP setup.

At 2000# lighter, you would think most efficient for the 27 FC WD would be 400-450HP combo and pushing 2 mpg which would be really good for a big boat like that.

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Well, Mr. PDX, I tell you what we can do...you go buy you a 1989 Whaler 27 FC and weigh it. After you recover from the shock of what you will find it to ACTUALLY weigh, go to the trouble of getting it to your home port, and get it registered in your name, post some pics of it on your personal page. I have a set of 200 HP Yamaha's I will then sell to you at a small profit to me. Feel free to prop your boat any way you desire. After you get all this done, post a new thread on 1989 Whaler 27 fuel efficiency vs. power in whatever forum you desire.
Oh, you could opt for the Mercury Verado's that you mention if you prefer, I have plenty of folks who are offering me plenty for the Yammies locally. It really doesn't matter to me.

Remember, there is a big difference between the Mercury Verado's and the Yamaha Offshore 4.2 L's, these are not the same engines.

The 1989 Whaler 27 FC is rated from the factory for 400 hp min and 600 hp max. I have chosen max HP on MY boat, You can put any amount you want on yours. After you get one, of course.

At that point in time I will make a decision on whether I would like to argue with you, or even go into further detail regarding my decision with you. Rest assured, I did my homework before deciding to repower with the 300 yamahas, and if a .04mpg difference in fuel economy between any 2 engines had actually been a factor in my decision to go with the 300's, I would not have been able to afford to own or operate this boat anyway.

I may be a moron in your opinion sir, but I can assure you, after reading your post I feel much better about my decision to repower with modern 4-stroke Yamaha 300 twins.

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Regarding the keel rollers on your trailer, that is actually the preferred way to carry a whaler on a trailer, with the weight on the keel rollers and the bunks for lateral support only. Most people set up the bunks so the boat will rock side to side a slight amount, bearing no weight.

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The problem with the trailer is that it uses rollers as opposed to bunks for side support. The boat rests on 3 keel rollers which is not near enough, nor are they evenly distanced to distribute weight appropriately. There is no real support for the Whaler Drive platform. This trailer was obviously adapted for use and not built for this boat.

The second problem with the trailer is the hydraulic surge brakes. These are only quasi-legal on a trailer this size, but they are ridiculous to drive with. The brake system clunks and jerks at each start/stop.

I am posting a picture of the trailer on my personal page to illustrate, gimme a few minutes...

Oh, take a look at my page here wing, I have pictures of my custom trailer for the Outrage 18. I had that one designed to my specs, I certainly hope after looking at that trailer you will have more confidence in my knowledge regarding classic Boston Whaler trailer design.

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Thank You very much, Flippa!
You seem to be the only member here that has anything positive to say, I really appreciate your comment.

Can anybody help me locate the hidden hull ID on this Whaler 27 FC? I have until Monday before I have to start searching all the compartments...

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So previous owner had 200HP's. Interesting.



Sorry you got upset. Don't see why you did. Curious what the mpg will be with the 300's. Do they come with the Yamaha fuel management system?

Edgewater puts the 300HP 4.2L on their 31' Center Console which is 6,500# dry and gets 2.0 mpg.
[url]
http://www.yamahaoutboards.com/sites/default/files/bulletins/bulletin_4stroke_hpv6_sws2_edg_318cc_t_f300xca_3-3-10_occ.pdf[/url]

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Congrats Jerry!!! Happy to hear you got her home safe.

Your going to love those 300 Yamaha's!!

I have a feeling you may visit Magnum again for the 27'....

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Thanks jvz!

I am definitely going to get another custom trailer built for the 27, did you see the pics I have put up recently? That converted 1992 Karavan just doesn't cut it when you look at that quality Magnum pictured above it :)

I don't expect to have to use a trailer for this boat except in the case of hurricane emergency or boat maintenance, I still think I really need a good trailer I can count on. This is a HUGE boat, and I am not a spring chicken anymore, I need the easiest load/unload operation I can get. Who knows? We may even get the urge to go to Alaska or Massachusetts, or some other exotic location and actually need to pull the boat for another long trip. I know that I really can't take all that clunking from those crappy brakes for the duration of another trip, I cringed every time I felt that all the way back. There is just not enough support on the keel and the Whaler Drive in my opinion for the size of this vessel with this current trailer, and from my experience with the makeshift trailer I had under the Outrage that actually did some damage to the boat when loading and unloading in windy conditions, I hope I have learned my lesson. The most critical time I will have to use a trailer for this boat will be in bad conditions pre-hurricane, I won't be able to choose my weather even as much as I can with the Outrage.

I can't believe just how nice the condition of this boat is in. Apparently, freshwater use is a great preservative!

My next big task is getting a generator installed. I really need the air conditioning to be operable in the heat on the Gulf. The added security of having a completely separate source of power to deal with the emergency 12v system failures, if they occur, when we are 50-100 miles offshore is also invaluable in my opinion.

My current plan, subject to change of course, is to get all the motor and electronics work completed, then get the boat to the Surfside Marina at Freeport and into the water for the motor break-in and prop-sizing, the new Garmin Auto-pilot set-up, as well as electronics testing and adjustment as required. After this is completed, I intend on getting the boat and current trailer to Charlie for the new custom trailer design and build. After I get the boat on the new trailer, I hope to have lined up the installation of a new generator somewhere before taking the boat back to Surfside for staging. I'll keep you posted here :)

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I agree - the argument regarding rollers verses bunks, is older than dirt. As you said, you won't need the trailer much for the 27', but when you do - you will have a killer Magnum and not that rig that looks like it came out of the movie Alien.

You will be stoked with a new genny on board. A buddy of mine put
an 8kw Onan on his Graddy White in Cabo and loves it. He said they have really cool "above deck" 4kw Onan (Cummins - gas) that would do the job as well.

Onward!

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SilentPard, glad it was a good trip for you and your wife, and i know the feeling. less a few thousand pounds. I picked up my new in to me in Venice Fla 25 CC with Whaler drive and twin 200 HPDI's a while back, and i know how good i felt when i crossed the La stateline back into Texas, and better still when i closed in on Corpus. Mighty long hike, but well worth it. Good luck with your new to you rig!

Duf

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Thanks Duff!
I appreciate your comments and I remember reading about your journey :)

I am sure that we will be able to meet up somewhere in our future...the TX coast is big, but so are our Whalers:) I plan on fishing out at Stetson Bank pretty regularly, and I have a copy of the now rare book of numbers for the entire TX coast put out by our own state's legendary structure fishing guru. I am sure you probably have heard of Mr. Jacobsen's passing, so there will not be any more books or chips available, but there are some good numbers down there in your area too.

I still have a LOT of work to do getting everything setup and running, but stay tuned! We will be out there ASAP!

Incidentally, I think it was something you wrote that convinced me that I should have enough horsepower on a single engine to plane the boat in a twin engine application...I can't remember the exact posting or subject, but I sure appreciate you planting that seed :)

Jerry Mooney

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Silentpard, all sounds good!

The article(s) your probably thinking on are the posts i made when i fried one of my 200 HPDI's and i was planning on going to 4 strokes, and the debates on whether i could get on plane with 2 150's vrs the 2 200 2 strokes. Lively conversations, some pro, some con. However, i went with my gut feeling, as weight was definitely an issue for me, with the 2 150 Merc 4 strokes coming in at around 900 lbs, the feedback i got was 1000 lbs for my WD on a 25. The 4 strokes Yams would have put me a ways over, and i wasn't sure i needed the extra horses.

As it turned out, i pulled the trigger on a couple of 2013 150 Merc 4 strokes (not verodo's) and could be happier. No problem coming out of the hole with a single, and WOT is within a whisker of 50 MPH. (which is plenty fast enough for me)

Spent some time with Tom Clark and others talking props, and we decided from the beginning to give the 19 pitch props off my Yams a shot for a measuring stick, and never stopped. Right at 5600 rpms, and runs like a cat with its tail on fire.

Your 300's should do the same for you even with the much heavier weight of your 27, be very surprised if it didn't.

Can't wait to hear about your seatrials, and if your down Corpus way, hollar at me, and we can have a beer and lie about our WOT speed!

Duf

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Duf,

What size boat did you put the dual 150 Four Strokes on? Your pic's show a 25(?) with an Evinrude 225.

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Some folks here and elsewhere have asked me some questions outside of thread here about what the interior of the 27 FC looks like, and also about how the trolling motor has been mounted to the Whaler Drive on this boat. I have posted some pictures of both that I took while at LMC delivering the electronics for installation yesterday. As I expected, I have run out of room for pictures on my webpage with the Outrage 18 refit going on there also, and I have sacrificed a few of those to allow posting of these Whaler 27 detail pictures. I don't know how long I will be able to leave these up, as I expect to have a lot of new pictures of both boats soon, so if you are interested or have asked to see these pictures, LOOK ASAP. I have a LOT more pics of details of compartments and current rigging of under - deck components and tanks on the Whaler 27, and as they become necessary to illustrate responses, they will have to go up.

I am limited to 30 pics on the page for BOTH boats, so all pics are up only as long as I don't find a need to post per request or questions. Sorry, but that's the rules of the site.

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Congrats! I'd love to see some photos and video from this adventure.

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PDX, that was one of my last two 22,s that i posted, with the E-TEC 225. I haven't updated my profile to the new 25 with WD and the new 4 strokes. i was about to update it when i blew one of the 2 stroke 200 HPDI's, so i shelved it, and haven't got around to it yet. Maybe this weekend i can get some and update my profile.

I did post a link to the 25 right after i got it. Let me see if i can find it, and i'll post it on a fresh thread.

Duf

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SP, you should look into using a site like Photobucket to host your photos. You can have folders for different boats with subfloders for say engine refit, generator, etc, and you can plaster as many photos as you want on there. Oh, and the price is right, free.

You can also link to the site from your profile as "Personal Website".

I hate to see people have to delete pictures because years from now someone may ask about a detail and with Photobucket the picture will always be available.

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Great looking rig that you recently acquired!! Pictures are fantastic and yea that "kiker" bracket is really nice. The trailer set-up you are correct about the wobble roller system. Might think about retro-fitting the trailer instead of new however,the trailer for your 18 does look great!! Keep posting pictures and commentary.

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Thanks whalerman!

I am real proud of it, and I am trying to make it our own now. I think with the repower and new Garmin networked electronics, it will never be the same boat again. I am still worried about a generator, I have to get one working on the boat ASAP. It's been running 100 degrees at Freeport TX all week, I will have to have a spot on this boat to cool off if I am going to fish this boat as hard as I plan on. The "before" pictures are in, I certainly hope the "after" pictures will be as awesome as I expect. I will also be posting the engine stats as soon as possible after break in.

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Great story, thanks.

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Thought I should post a project report here for anybody following.
The motor technician in the shop was setting up to install the new Yamaha 300's upon my last visit to LMC last week. I made the trip down to discuss the location of the autopilot controller and the new Command Link® Plus LCD Display for the Yamahas. I originally wanted to place these indicator/control panels on the helm in the same panel as the original setup seen in my helm photos, but the 2 Garmin 6212 MFD/Chartplotters took up ALL the space! I decided, after looking over my options carefully, to install both the autopilot and the Command link display flat on the helm within the area surrounded by the teak blocks directly behind the wheel. I will have to install a hinged plexiglass/lexan cover to rest on the blocks to protect the displays, and still allow access to control buttons for both units. I believe this will make a neat, usable setup.
While there at the shop, the Whaler 27 was removed from the bay and the 2-300's were moved into the bay at the hoists, and uncrating was initiated. Apparently, un-crating these motors is a time consuming task in itself, I was amazing how secure these motors are in their crates!

I also found out that the steering will definitely be replaced, the old steering for the 200 HP application is too small for the new 300's. I am also going to have to replace the starting batteries for the same reason, the ones in service now are just too small. I also found that both of the current starting batteries are deep cycle 550 CCA batteries and I don't think they were actually suitable for this application anyway. I am allowing LMC to supply 2 new Interstate starting batteries for the new 300's. I am supplying 2 new group 27 deep cycle marine batteries for the "house" batteries on the boat, and I plan on using the 2 new small deep cycle batteries that came with the boat as power for 2 Penn Senator 114HLW Dolphin electric reels when I need to use these deep-dropping. I am planning on just using the house batteries for the downriggers since I will be able to switch the charging circuit to charge these while trolling if needed. We are going to have to build platforms for the batteries because the stern cavity is open all the way down to the bilge, and it's a LONG way down there. There is a plug and a bilge pump way down there at the bottom of this cavity, heaven help me when I need to access them! If anyone has ideas or suggestions on any of these access issues, PLEASE post here, I would be greatly appreciative!

A lot of time has been spent removing all the old electronics, the motors and all the rigging associated with this old equipment. All the new control wiring and rigging as well as the new radar, GPS, and XM Weather antennas, autopilot gyro-compass and ECM control unit, and the GSD 26 sounder have been installed. The new motor start/stop and key switch is installed. The items still needing installation are as follows:
1) Both new motors and steering unit, also props (I have 2 new Mercury 17 P Rev 4's for propping)
2) Autopilot including pump and hydraulic steering lines as well as the user interface
3) Airmar TM265LH CHIRP transducer for the sounder unit
4) Cannon Downrigger transducer and 12v outlets for the downriggers
5) Batteries and wiring to allow switched charging while motors are running
6) Garmin VHF200 networked radio in lower helm compartment
7) Helm panel with the 2 Garmin 6212 MFD's, it's made and they are in it, just need to be attached and connected

While looking around the boat and taking measurements for determining the best place to install the new generator in the future, I noticed that the installation tech was using a metal stand under the radar arch with the arch folded down for support. This stand looked like it would be much better for use when trailering the boat than the last owners use of the manual downriggers for support, so I asked the tech if I could buy a set for my own use. He told me that these supports were used on other boats equipped with radar arches as shipping supports, and they had plenty of them at the shop. Since these were not needed after the shop set up these radar arches, they were usually just scrapped, and he assured me he could throw a couple of them in for me! The Whaler 27 is WAY over the 13'6" max height DOT requirement with the boat on the trailer with the arch in the raised position, so I am excited that a solution to the support problem has been found for trailering.

I think I have found that the best place remaining on this boat to install a generator. There is a space measuring 28"L X 29"H X 22 1/2"W tapering from bottom to top to 20"W within each one of the 2 original seats that have been reappointed as supports for the Tiara style lounge seating. I have found that a Westerbeke 6.5 will fit handily in this space, and should be easily serviceable if mounted on a slide-out tray under the seat closest to the stern. With a generator located here, the drawback will be that there will be no way to access the locker located in the deck under the lounge seating. I am still looking for a dealer that can install this for me locally, but there may be one at Corpus Christi, I just haven't called there yet.

I can't wait to get this rig in the water, the fish are biting like mad down here and I am still sitting on the sidelines
:(

For those of you looking for more pictures I have a Flickr site where I will be posting all the pictures as this project progresses at : http://www.flickr.com/photos/99787852...87852@N06/

For the person asking questions about the control system and gauges that will be used in this motor installation, they are the Command Link Plus display with Command Link Plus digital electronic controls. The display will show all performance details including MPG and GPH, as well as indicate up to 4 tank levels on the boat. For a complete look at this system, see : http://www.yamahaoutboards.com/riggin...g/controls

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Silentpardner, I never questioned your judgment as you state in your personal page. I didn't question anything you said. In your first post you said, " The trailer does have a set of keel rollers that are supporting all the weight, but I prefer bunks to having any rollers on a trailer for a Boston Whaler." It certainly appears from that statement that you want a trailer without any rollers at all and I was only saying that having keel rollers supporting the weight of the boat is the preferred trailer setup. You are certainly free to have bunks and no rollers on your whaler but I don't think it would provide the support necessary.

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Thank you for your permission sir.

The actual relative quote from my original post is as follows sir.



In the quoted text above, I apparently was not clear enough. I did not mean that I didn't want ANY ROLLERS ON THE TRAILER. All I meant by this was that I did not want ANY ROLLERS WHERE BUNKS SHOULD BE on this trailer.

I should also bring to your attention that I was in NO WAY asking for your opinion or seeking your approval on this subject. I was not asking a single question in this post, I was simply telling the story of retrieving a boat from Wisconsin. I did not ask for ANY opinions from the gallery here on powering OR trailer design for the boat. I will have to figure out how to insure in the future that I am not asking a question...for now, I will simply NOT PUT A QUESTION MARK AT THE END OF ANY SENTENCE THAT IS NOT A QUESTION.

Sometimes, I wonder why I post.

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As I remember, the previous owners had removed the bow and side rails. Did you decide to put some on?

On the DigitTroll IV transducer, an FYI, I was getting interference between the Digitroll transducer and my main sonar transducer. Net effect was the Digitroll would start free spooling and then get its signal back. I had them on opposite sides of the hull but I have a narrow 7.5' hull so hopefully your separation will help. Solution for me I consolidated the Cannon controls with the GPS/Chart using the Cannonlink/Humminbird setup.

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I wonder also since you seem to have an affinity to argue with people. If you don't want to be involved in a discussion then maybe you should start a blog instead of posting on a site where all members are free to remark on anyone's post.

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Can't seem to go back and edit posts anymore that's "DigiTroll" not "DigitTroll" and "your 10' separation".

PS Apparently you cannot edit "Quick Replies" but can edit "Replies".

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If the previous owners removed any railings on this 1989 Whaler 27 FC, they must have put them back on before I saw it. They don't appear to have been disturbed, however.

I appreciate the input on the 2 transducers. I had not thought about the possibility of interference between the 2. I can't use the hummingbird package, I have Garmin electronics. I don't think the 2 transducers will really be that far apart, even with the 2 or 3 ft wider beam, and that sonar transducer beams up 3KW! I will probably have to address this interference issue if it exists, I will let you know what I find out. I know I will have to run the sounder and the downriggers at the same time, if there is trouble, I'll contact Cannon and see what they say. Surely they know you need a sounder running when you are using their downriggers...maybe they have a viable solution already.

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Well, went down to Houston yesterday and checked in on the repower and electronics upgrade in progress on the 1989 Whaler 27 FC. I took some pictures of the work in progress, but the good news, at least for me, was that we now have the motors and controls in place on the boat, 75% done on the motors or better. All the new electronics are in place and 90% complete, but I am looking for ideas on how to fix the blaring white of the starboard used in the chartplotter helm and the ignition switch plate. There has just got to be a better looking solution, I am still looking. I used the email link at Whaleboard to try to purchase a sheet in the right color, but I still have not gotten a response from them.

Mixed in the linked set of pictures is a bunch of pictures that could only be categorized as inspection pictures. Some of them were in places that I could only see by taking pictures with a flash.

Tomorrow I am going to Palacios to check on the 1986 Outrage 18 progress. I will post another set of progress pics on this project after we return.

Here's the link to todays progress pics :http://www.flickr.com/photos/99787852...505480963/

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You could have used black StarBoard, which is as easy to find as white and it would have matched the color of the black aluminum plates that the boat originally.

It would reduce glare too.

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Dang Pard, those motors look huge, but your project looks like its coming along very nicely! That will be one hell of a fishing machine when you get done. Remember what i said, 51 - 53 MPH! :)

Duf

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Thanks Tom, I will look around for some black starboard. I have never seen any, it may be more common out there than here. I might be able to find some black aluminum, but it would have to be thicker than BW used, to support those two MFD's, they weigh 15 lbs apiece. I guess I could try just painting that starboard, what kind of paint works best on starboard? It is pretty slick finished stuff.

Thanks Duf! I am with ya on the size of those motors, they are BIG. They didn't actually look bad on the boat though in person, and my other option was the Mercury's...they are even bigger! I am gonna step out on a limb here and predict 57MPH at WOT with 'em mounted all the way up like they are, trimmed in, and using the Mercury Revolution 4 props. If it only does 55, I intend to blame that lower speed on the Mercury logo on the props! Haha! Too much Mercury drag, Hg is, after all, a "heavy metal"! hehehe That will be my story, and I will stick to it :)

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Paint won't stick to StarBoard very well.

You can buy black StarBoard through West Marine or any number of other marine supply stores.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/...jUHs-B8t9I

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Got a rough timeframe for taking them out? If your Yams are anything like my Merc breakins, they want you to run full tilt intermittently right out of the box. Looking forward to hearing about your trial runs!

Duf

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No, I haven't heard yet when they will be ready to go, but they will have to be run easy first 2 hrs, then varied up to and including WOT for the next 8, then oil changed. I figure it will take all day on ICW and Brazos/San Bernard before making it back to Surfside Marina for the oil change. That is the recommendations from Yamaha, minus the specific variations of throttle and time for each cycle of variance of RPM in the last 8 hrs of the break in.

I have heard from others around here and the net that the best break in for any 4 stroke is to really hammer them in the first 10 hrs. I am gonna need some real calm waters to do that, as I am a skeerdy-cat in my old age! :) I am thinking about running down to Palacios via ICW or over to Galveston and back, but I have not charted anything yet to figure out if I can do either within the break in time allotted.

What will be a pain will be getting the new motors on the Outrage 18 broke in. They will have to be broken in individually, so it will be 20 hrs involved with these :(

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Bring that Outrage to me, I'd be glad to break 'em in for you;). I'll just be forced to do a little fishing after I get done though.

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It is always a pleasure to read of your traveling adventures in bringing the big Whalers home..
Those outboards purchases should be sold with a permanent percentage rebate when fueling a the pump.
This rebate could work two fold.
1-Give incentive to the new owner to buy.
2-Give the manufacturer a legit right off cost wise from operating taxes and a given incentive to attract new buyers to purchase the newer models.
How do you spell RELIEF?

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I saw a movie once a long time ago, it was a western, where the hero used a certain catchphrase. The catchphrase, as best I can recall, was "I'll be your huckleberry", but I can't remember the name of the movie. When I read your reply, huckleberry, I got a big grin!

I may not be able to bring that Outrage to South Carolina for the break-in, but I would love to head out there in your area and fish sometime! Be careful what you ask for, you might just get it!! :) We may have to plan a vacation some time and head out your way and see what we can put into an old rebuilt Whaler around there:)

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Ritzy, I appreciate the kind words about my writing, and, just so you know, I always enjoy reading about your exploits and projects as well :)

Regarding those BIG guzzlers, I sure agree! It may be worse than you thought, however. Those particular engines require premium fuel, no less, per Yamaha! I figure about $800 a trip on fuel every time I go out for a day. I guess I am used to high expenses now though, after so many years of fueling big old Johnsons, and diesels, doing the same sort of "crazy" thing...offshore Gulf fishing. It's addictive, and I have been "hooked" every since I arrived on the Gulf coast way back in 1980 after growing up back east.

I would bet you get some really good fishing up there in your area as well! I see your area on fishing shows a lot, you got some of the biggest darn flounder I have ever seen! I know you folks call 'em Halibut, but I swear they are identical to our flounder, just look like they live in Jurrassic Park :)

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Doc Holiday's line was from "Tombstone"

Catch the first slight offshore breeze in the Gulf in October, and run
that 27 & those Yamaha's out to rig 721L B - A quick 8 mile round trip!

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The tricky part will be actually being available if there is a slight offshore breeze in October. I'll keep that rig in mind though! might have to do laps back and forth to Freeport:)

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Started out in rough weather Monday to pick up the boat at LMC Marine in Houston TX where the new motors and electronics were installed. I use our F-350 to pull this boat, it has the camper special springs and the 6.7 L diesel, and the cab is real nice for riding around in as well. I was told the boat was ready for me with all work done a couple of weeks prior, so I went to LMC Friday before pick up to insure it was actually complete. I found a couple of small things, the XM Weather/Music was not tied into my speaker system and the mast light was extended too far to allow me to lower the radar arch for trailering. I was assured these items would be taken care of and the boat cleaned up for travelling to Surfside TX Monday when I could pick it up, so I went ahead and set up the wide load permitting for Monday.

I arrived Monday morning at 0900 , none of the needed items had been addressed! The "mechanic" went to work right away on the XM wiring and the mast light, and we got the boat to the detail area for cleanup. Finally ready to start the trip to Surfside Marina at Freeport TX at 1400 hrs! Had to get out of Houston city limits before 1600,( by permit regulations, no oversize loads within city limits of Houston between 1600 and 1800 hrs), got out of town and to the marina at 1545.

Surfside Marina is a state-of-the-art dry stack and wet slip facility right on the Intracoastal Canal within a mile from the Freeport jetties, but with the time as late as it was upon arrival, and all the paperwork and meet/greet of the marina staff, I didn't have time to do much Whalerin' Monday. We got the boat off the trailer and launched into a wet slip, and even though there were ominous clouds and light rain, my wife still wanted to go for a little ride. The Canvas and eisenglass keeps the helm and outside lounge area dry, even with the back canvas/eisenglass panels removed, so I agreed and we eased out of the marina for a short trip down the intracoastal for about 1 hr round trip.

The boat handles like a boat that is MUCH bigger than the Whaler 27 name would indicate! The ride was better on the water than it was in the F-350! I was varying the throttle due to the requirements of the engine break-in, and had to keep rpm's below 3000 the first hour, but I was impressed immediately with the ride and handling below planning speeds.

I forgot to mention, we had to measure the boat for dry storage charges at the marina, and I was surprised a bit...I held the tape measure liberally in my favor, (shorter the boat, lower the charges-rate is by the foot length), but I could not make the measurement any shorter than 34' from the back of the engines on the Whaler Drive to the tip of the bow! 27' is the measurement of the boat at the water line WITHOUT the Whaler Drive! These are truly BIG little boats for sure!

We left the boat in a wet slip in the marina overnight and went into Lake Jackson to the Wurst Haus restaurant for some good German potato salad, beef rolls on noodles, and of course bratwurst and mustard before turning in at the LaQuinta for the night.

Tuesday we got a late start due to drizzle and wind with completely overcast conditions in the early morning, but the rain stopped mid morning and we headed back out to the Marina. I spoke with the tackle shop owner and delivered a couple of Penn/Dolphin electric reels I needed spooled to him, unloaded a lot of stuff into my storage locker at the Marina and loaded tackle and necessities on the boat.

I started the engines and pressed the startup for the electronics, but the electronics went dead during start-up. I have 3 house batteries and 2 starting batteries, all of my house batteries were dead-start batteries were 13.8 as they should be. After a bit of studying, and with the help of the certified Yamaha mechanic at the marina, we determined that LMC had not wired the auxiliary charging circuit at all on either engine! The only batteries being charged with the engines running were the start batteries! We rigged a jumper to the house batteries from the start battery charging circuit so I could get the engines broken-in and scheduled complete correction of the entire dual engine charging systems for next week. I finally left the dock about 1100 hrs with all electronics working.

My wife and I motor-yachted on the Intracoastal Canal for a couple of hours, and I got the break-in period where I could work the engines in the planning speeds for the boat...WOW! The boat rode like it was on glass in the Intracoastal and Brazos River channel! The Revolution 4 props had plenty of bite trimmed all the way in, but I had a slight list to port at planning speeds that I quickly adjusted out with the original trimtabs under the Whaler Drive. We had a great cruise while constantly varying the engines rpm's on the inland waterways, and we ventured about 20 miles west down the Intracoastal, dodging barges and porpoises along the way. On our return trip back to the east, I turned outward through the Freeport Jetties to the Gulf Of Mexico. The weather was clear, winds were about 12 knots SW however, I knew I would find some good testing waters out there at the end of the jetties.

We exited the jetties in 2-4' seas at about 3000 RPM's (varying still per break-in) and ran between 10 and 20 statute MPH both on plane and off out through the bouys in the shipping channel. It was rough at higher speeds, but the boat handled like a MUCH bigger boat, no water even sprayed into the windshield! All spray stayed OUTSIDE the boat, and the bow attitude was such that, even through the occasional 6' roller wave, no bow stuffing could occur. An occasional pound at slower speeds, but better ride with less pound at all speeds than I have ever experienced with a boat of this size class. This boat was riding the seas an handling every bit as well as a 38' Bertram, and in some ways, better! We turned around and headed back into the jetty after a couple of miles.

On the way in, I got a check engine light on the port motor and the engine shut down. When I reviewed the alarm screen, the only alarm was on the port trim sensor. I silenced the alarm, raised the dead engine and continued on course with only the starboard engine. We travelled with no problems on the starboard engine thru the jetties and around the corner into the Marina, where I backed the boat into a wet slip and secured it to the dock, then shut the starboard engine down with the key switch. I called up the alarm display after turning the ignition back on and there was NO ALARM! Both engines started with no problem and no alarms. I discussed all this with John, the Yamaha mechanic, and he will be checking out all the sensor connections next week. I had no other sensor/check engine shutdown for the rest of the time I spent on the water, but we could have a bad connection in the newfangled digital electric controls.

After a short break at the marina, my wife and I cast off for more engine break-in adventures for the rest of the beautiful October Texas day that had developed. We managed to get thru 7.5 hrs of break-in total for the day and returned to the marina and docked the boat in a wet slip for the night at about 1730 hrs.

We decided to dine at The Red Snapper Inn, a local Surfside restaurant we both like from way back. This restaurant is almost within sight of the marina, and we were hungry! I had the Snapper Pontchartrain, (this is the TX recipe Pontchartrain sauce-made with beef broth), and my wife had the crab cakes, we both had the seafood stuffed jalepenos for an appetizer and the signature crème brulee' served in full size gumbo cups for dessert. We reclined to the LaQuinta for the night after supper.

Wednesday morning we got an early start, coffee before daylight. We checked out of our campsite LaQuinta in Clute and headed over to what used to be Mendoza's in Richwood for the best breakfast tacos in the world. It has been a few years since we had been there, and we found hat the ownership and name of the restaurant has changed to Phat Boyz, but all the cooking personnel as well as the new owner were employed under the Mendoza's era at the same place. We got our monster-sized breakfast tacos with eggs, bacon, sausage, cheese, and potatoes, and I always get carne guisado on mine as well, and we headed to the marina to eat.

We sat on the upper level patio at the marina overlooking the slip area of the marina and watched daylight break over the boats in the docks as we enjoyed the legendary breakfast of Texans. Sometimes, you just have to thank your lucky stars your in Texas, and this was sure one of those times. The temperature here was in the 60's as daybreak erupted, and it was in the low 80's by noon, on the 23rd of October! Wind was much more docile than Tuesday also.

We got underway from the marina with no drama and turned into the Intracoastal westbound towards the Brazos River/Freeport jetty intersection at planing speed. A large tanker ship was coming in from the offshore ship channel through the jetties towards the intersection. I slowed as I approached the intersection, and I heard over the radio a coast guard transmission from which I picked out the words "security" and "zone". I soon found out what a Coast Guard "security zone" is...suddenly, a Coast Guard boat about 20' or so appeared beside my vessel...complete with a manned 50 cal mounted on the bow deck...with an officer telling me I was entering a "security zone" around the tanker! I was informed that I needed to back out of the intersection immediately and hold in the Intracoastal Canal until the tanker was completely through the intersection and in the Old Brazos channel before I could continue to and through the Freeport jetties! So much for a no-drama morning!

Now, I have heard that a Boston Whaler can withstand a complete barrage of .50 cal auto fire and not sink...I think I have even seen pictures of this as a military test, but I decided to save first-hand knowledge one way or another on this issue for another day...and backed down. After about 30 minutes, the ship cleared the intersection and we headed on out through the jetties to a calm 1-3 ft sea.

In these seas the Whaler really shined. I was able to run up to 35-40 statute mph with ease and comfort, drinking my coffee at the helm. My wife was quite comfortable on the Tiara style lounge seating as I set a course for 150 deg through the shipping lanes, and turned to 180 degrees heading out past the bouys towards the inshore platform about 6 miles out. I was still varying speeds per engine break-in requirements, but I was getting there,I only needed a couple of more hours to complete the first 10.

As we approached the first platform, my wife took the helm...she said she didn't think she could hit anything, after all, it was the ocean! She brought us to the platform and I took over and circled it slowly a few times watching the new Garmin CHIRP sonar. I have never seen an equivalent clarity of returns on any sounder equipment...bait and fish were marked CLEARLY, and with the machine on split zoom, all levels of the water column are covered in crystal clear definition. I am sold on this technology.

We continued to the demo'd platforms and I was able to locate them on the sounder equipment with ease using the positions on the Garmin chartplotter...they were right where they were supposed to be, and LOADED with what appeared to be Mangrove snapper. My now-not-so-secret close to shore fishing hot spots were very easily located. I found and noted a weedline, but due to engine break-in requirements, I behaved responsibly and never wet a single line, trolling or on the bottom. The radar overlay from the Garmin xHD 604 open array system matched perfectly with the charts on the chartplotter. My entire electronics suite worked together in beautiful harmony! Man, I could be a salesman for Garmin...maybe I oughta send 'em a resume'? Might help with my fuel bill:)

We went out about 9 statute miles, (stayed inside TX waters), turned and retraced my course out in reverse the semi-old-fashioned way...by looking at the tracks on the chartplotter and using the original Ritchie compass on the Whaler helm to hold course. I should note that the compass showed identical heading readings as the chartplotter showed during all the motor break-in testing. I had been concerned that the compass might be affected by the proximity to the MFD's on the helm, but I had no problems with magnetic interference whatsoever.

We went back through the jetties to the ICW and headed west towards the New Brazos floodgates, finally getting through the 10 hour break-in period of varying engine RPM's! Got through the east gates to the huge, and at the time, barge-less, intersection of ICW and New Brazos River. I decided this would be the perfect spot to set up the Garmin, (of course:), auto-pilot. I had restrained myself from setting it up during the engine break-in because I did not want the temptation to just put the boat in auto and neglect my RPM varying duties...I think this shows excellent restraint and discipline...I deserve a cookie for sure!

The dockside and underway setup went smoothly, although the first attempt at the underway setup failed due to me holding a bit too low on speed during the automatic zig-zag pattering of the system. The second attempt at 1500 RPM was successful, and suddenly, my world changed. (Sorry about the drama here, but it is a remarkable system:)

I tested all the gadget patterns built in to the autopilot, the circles, u-turns, zig-zags, etc., etc. I then went back downriver and turned through the west floodgate of the intersection on the ICW, and put the engines in idle and concentrated on the chartplotter. I panned to the floating swing gate bridge about 20 miles west of the floodgates and selected a point in the ICW just before them, selected "navigate to" and then selected "guide to"...after approximately 20-30 seconds of calculation, the chartplotter drew a magenta line down the middle of the snake-like ICW and asked me to review this route, I did and acknowledged it, then the machine asked if I would like to engage the auto-pilot, I did...and WOW! The auto-pilot took over and actually steered the entire course, including bends and turns, perfectly for the next 20 miles! I went below into the cabin, made a drink, and returned to the helm...the boat just automatically drove itself around all obstacles, bends and turns at any speed I desired, including full throttle, (50.7 mph)! The radar worked in conjunction with both the auto-pilot and the chartplotter and warned me of any dangers, including barges, as it skippered the boat. The radar did not have to be overlayed on the chart in order to perform this function, or even displayed on the same MFD, I was looking at sonar and radar on a combination screen on the starboard side MFD with the chart running on the port MFD...the same magenta colored line was shown on the radar and the chart. I have never had it so good!

We finished out the day by running back to the marina on the ICW using the auto-guidance capability of the system, and I worked on performance stats and pictures of displays and engine conditions as we returned. We got back to the marina dock about 1330, and I had the boat removed to a stand. I hooked up the trailer and we went to Vernor Materials in Clute to get the first set of weights of the M/T trailer and my truck, separately, then returned to the marina, had the boat put on the trailer, back to Vernor for loaded weights on trailer, all for determination of certified weights that are required here in TX to transfer the registration from Wisconsin. I now have the required certified weights in hand, I should be able to finally get that trailer registered so I can use it for trade-in. We returned the boat and trailer to the marina, had the boat washed and engines flushed, and got it in dry-stack.

We had a pleasant drive back to Dripping Springs, but both my wife and I are now ready to go do some real fishing on the boat this next weekend! Pray for good weather and calm seas offshore Freeport this weekend...we are sure going to try if conditions are favorable. We are both ready for our next big Whaler adventure :)

I will get pictures on my Flickr site that go with this story and also with another thread I'll get started on the performance issues of the boat tomorrow. I will post the link here in this thread then.

For the weight of the boat, as certified today, see this link.
http://www.whalercentral.com/forum/vi...ost_116845

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Impressive, indeed! Certainly, it does sound as if you gave her a thorough "shake-down" voyage, with everything functioning correctly and you even managed to enjoy yourselves in the process!

Our 27FC. has been moved slightly further south to another marina in Key Largo, where they charge only $100 per month for dry storage on a trailer, plus free in/out and discounted fuel.

So, I purchased a nice used trailer, which I was assured would be adequate and guess what, after it had been delivered we discovered that it certainly was not. So, that is back up for sale now and the search for a replacement recommences.

This weekend, we plan to clean the cabin, galley and head thoroughly, as well as to begin work upon that mess of an electrical system. The mechanic has been asked for quotes to repair the hydraulic system, trim tabs, engine lifters, etc. and to replace the two seized sea-cocks.

Some day we also actually might get to go out on the water for a pleasure cruise.

Safe boating!

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Thanks for sharing. Congratulations.

Danny

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SP Your a lucky man with this great boat and crew.

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Here's the photo link, in case it is hard to find in my other thread:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/99787852...920686884/

Yes , I know I am VERY lucky! Thanks for all the comments so far!

The sea conditions predictions don't look too good for the weekend, we may have to stay inshore and cruise...

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Silent,

What is the status of the generator installation we talked about earlier?

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Still In progress with the research for the best plan of attack on this part of the project and installation location. I am considering relocation of A/C equipment, and also considering building a new lounge seat pedestal under the Tiara style lounge seat out in the passenger deck area that could contain the generator, and still allow easy service access.

I am really leaning towards the under seating, above deck option. The main reason would be for service, the existing generator hold on the boat would be very hard to work inside to change oil and filters, it's pretty deep. Also, by fabricating an above deck housing, I can minimize CO emission problems while allowing for the use of a less complicated and easily replaceable air cooled generator. Since the Tiara lounge seating is all custom anyway, I don't think building a containment for the generator under it would detract from the aesthetics of the boat, and I believe it would be safer as far as gasoline fumes and exhaust.

The only drawback that I can see would be the weight on the passenger side of the boat vs. having the weight in the under deck hold in the center of the same area of the boat, affecting the center of gravity. I think this drawback is of minimal, as this are above deck is already used by passengers, and the generator would be like another passenger sitting above deck.

I am interested on any thoughts anyone has on this idea as it seems to me to be the best option at this time.

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Both myself and my wife had a very pleasant excursion yesterday in our Whaler even though we were forced to stay inshore due to the rough sea conditions. About 1245 local, we took a trip out to the end of the jetties to look at the conditions, but we decided to turn around after a quick check. Seas were 5-7 and whitecapping.

On our return trip back into the Brazos Intersection, we spotted a classic Outrage 18 with a Yamaha 150 and 2 persons on it. This Outrage was VERY nice looking with a magnificent job on the wood gunnels. We turned back east on the ICW and got close enough to compliment the owner on the wood before turning back east. I considered continuing on without bothering the good folks on the Outrage, but it sure looked a LOT like our jvz's boat pictured on this site. It was pretty much impossible to converse on the water, next time we meet we should certainly go into that marina there where I caught up with them for a drink, that big blue and white building is Surfside Marina.

I have to ask, who was that mystery Outrage's owner? I know it's almost GOT to be someone on this site...will the owner of that beautiful Outrage please stand up? :)

The whole sighting thing apparently jinxed our outing in a way...shortly after the sighting, our starboard engine trim motor decided to just stay running and refused to be shut off! We had to end the day by putting in another work order at the marina to get this repaired. We still had a great day of Whalerin', and enjoyed a nice supper at the Wurst Haus in Lake Jackson before returning to Dripping Springs a day earlier than originally planned.

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Wow Pard, back and re-read your post, guy, either you take notes when your doing things, or you have one hell of a memory! What an adventure, with breakdowns (now we know why we have twins offshore), the coasties, no, looking down the barrel of what was fifties is not pleasent, rough seas, and obviously you and your wifes enjoyment of good food. Was a heck of a post, thanks for dedicating the time it took to put it together. I actually had to make two cocktails to slowly disect the entire post.

I also noted that your concerns on the boat being ready were correct, even with your early check in on it.....typical. But 100% agree with you on the unbeliveable way the bigger Whalers handle the big seas. I've never had a splash that wasn't wind driven from the side hit me, with either my 22's, and certainly not my 25. Still, never thought the overall length would be 34 feet. Thats a LARGE vessel.

Will be interested to see if your final adjustments to your engines gets you to 53 MPH, but thats my guess.

Looking forward to hearing the results of your continued shakedown and getting all the gremlins out, especially with all the new installations you did. You"ve identified several, but guessing you still have a couple out there.

Again, enjoying your very detailed posts!

Duf