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Ok, i gotta ask. I've seen several articles about folks looking for a boat with the original Whaler Drive. We're talking about an original standoff from Whaler on a Whaler of course. So whats the great advantage? Is it because it's a rare thing to find, or is it because it enhances the performance of the hull/motor combo. I've looked throught Whaler Central and could not find any thing specific on this issue. I did read about the offset that the guy took off that took 250 lbs off the whaler, but what he said he was taking off was not a "whaler dirve"

Duf

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I've been curious about that too.
I think I read you can add more horsepower with a whaler drive.
Seems to add more room in the boat and make a good platform for climping out of the water.

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What i've heard, is it helps the boats ride with the additional spacing, dampings the sound of the motors, and provides additional floatation. But then again, i've also heard it adds a lot of weight. So, whats the real deal?

Duf

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It's a great way to turn a 22 foot boat into a 25 foot boat.

The WD models had additional flotation, additional HP limits and greater waterline length. The WD add flotation in the stern and improves the ride due to the stern lift and increased waterline length.

A WD model also features a "full transom" which as a stand-alone option (SeaDrive-Blank) is even more rare on a classic Boston Whaler boat. The Full transom gives additional storage in the stern.

These Boston Whaler hulls are versatile - and while the WD versions are rare (it was a very expensive option on an already expensive boat), for many folks, it fit's their use just about perfectly.

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Any time you have a motor on a bracket it will add weight, whaler drives provide flotation which adds a lot of weight on trailer but offsets itself in water. They are fairly rare. Brackets in general add usable room in the boat, cause the boat to perform like a larger boat without the price, and adds a great swim platform. Also, with the solid transom it gives you a great place to lean against when fighting fish in rough seas. Personally, i like the look too. The cons, it costs 10K, and adds about that much to the resale value of used ones. It also sets the motors into the path of a crossing fish when using stubby trolling rods. Im no pro with whalers like the admin of this site, but i know boats in general and this is my opinion based on my experience. Im always up for hearing other opinions.

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I can speak from firsthand experience because my 25 Outrage, cuddy has a whalerdrive. Its a great option for several reasons, adds a much higher horsepower rating from the standard notch transom, 300hp to 450hp!...The boat is easier to plane, mine will plane on 1 motor (150) and cruise at 20mph. (while the other motor is tilted up)...Added running surface enhances the overall ride of the boat...Rear transom coaming/padding allows you to use your knees when fighting a large fish...Added storage in the transom with a removeable insert...The transom area also houses 4 batteries and 2 oil tanks (out of the elements) and really opens up the cockpit...The top deck of the closed transom acts as a bench and a very compfy spot to sit when the large cushion is placed on top...The whalerdrive can also be used as a swim platform...

I have never lost a fish due to the whalerdrive, we boat our fish, Tuna, Wahoo, Mako, Mahi, and several others on the side of the boat....Any increased weight or added drag is a "non-issue" due to the enhancements of the whalerdrive. I can cruise in the low 30's at 4000rpm's and thats with a fiberglass t-top with curtains and forward cuddy. I can top out at 45mph at 5500rpm's...I suspect with twin 225 Opti's or E-Tec's she would easily hit 55+mph with a full load of gear, rods and fuel.....

When I found this boat, I had never heard of a whalerdrive. I was looking for a standard 25 Outrage and while I think the standard model would have suited me fine, I'm glad I fell into this one. Knowing what I know now after having this boat since 2002, I would definetly look for a hull with a whalerdrive. If I was unable to find one I would probably convert a notched transom to a closed with a bracket. There aren't many whalerdrive models out there but they sure are nice. B)

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Thanks for the great desription Mike.
I'd like to learn more about conversions too.

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excellent information. So far i haven't heard any thing that is negative about having the whaler drive other then originally it was pretty pricey, like around 10k. I'll keep my eyes open in my search for one with the whaler drive unless i hear some serious negitives. Thanks for the input guys! :p

Duf

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I own two Whalers with WD's a 22 outrage and a 25 outrage and would not trade them for any thing My freind has a 22 with out the WD and he can not believe the difference.

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The Whaler Drive was Whaler's first attempt to make an outboard bracket and they went to a great deal of effort to do it well. Indeed, the Whaler Drive itself is the same construction as the Whaler hull; it is like a little Whaler bolted onto the transom and is very strong and well built.

Unfortunately, Whaler (and Whaler owners) discovered that the Whaler Drive, while adding length and buoyancy, tended to sap the performance especially when compared to a more strict "bracket" mounted motor(s). Top speed suffer greatly and more horsepower is needed to propel a Whaler Drive equipped boat to the same speed as it's notched transom cousin. My notched transom Revenge 25 will perform as well or better with twin 150s than a Whaler Drive equipped model with twin 200s.

The Whaler Drive option was also quite expensive. Because Whaler did such a great job integrating them to the hulls, there is no chance of retrofitting a Whaler Drive without extensive rebuilding of the recipient hull. Indeed, I have never heard of a Whaler Drive ever being retrofitted to a notched transom hull.

Other disadvantages is that it is very difficult or impossible to install trim tabs on 18, 20, 22 and 25 foot Whaler Drive models (The 27 Whaler Drive models and the 25 Walk Around (wide body) had trim tabs built into the Whaler Drive.)

On the plus side, the motors are moved back away for the cockpit which gives more pace and less noise, which is also true of any bracket mounted motor installation. The strorage compartments in what would have been the splashwell are very useful and welcome on the WD Whalers.