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I just purchased my 2nd Whaler. It is a 1971 Sourpuss but with sport interior. It has the notched transom. It didn't come with an engine so I want to start looking. This will be the "grown up's" boat and I want to be able to pull water skiers and go tubing. I have searched on here and only a few threads came up but were very old. Are there any new options out there. I was thinking a Honda 40 hp but they don't come in 15" shaft. The 30 hp does but is it going to be enough hp? The weight of the 30 is also only 155 pounds. I know about the older Yamaha 40 2 strokes are an option as well. Does that engine compare to the Honda, as in relative hp? What do you think?

Thanks
Ed


(EDIT: please follow guideline #1 on the front page and use the full 4 digit year)

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What makes it a Sourpuss if it has the Sport interior?

Here is the Sourpuss models with the Sourpuss interior.
http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...lbum_id=18

The interior defines the model.

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The Mercury 30 and 40 HP 4-stroke EFI's both are available in 15" shaft length.

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Chuck Bennett stated that is was a sourpuss model and that such models could have different interiors. From what he said the model name was derived from the smirk in the bow and not the interior. I don't know and am just regurgitating what I was told. I thought it was what you say but after what he said I am confused???

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That goes against everything I have ever heard from Boston Whaler.

Sometimes they did call 13' models with the Smirk a Sourpuss but it had nothing to do with the model or interior.

Did he tell you what model your boat left the factory as?
Do you have any photos of your boat now?

If you look at the 1972 Whaler catalog, that will tell you what the models look like and yes, they all have the smirk.

Below you will see how the "Sourpuss" interior defines the model.
This is directly from the Boston Whaler catalog.
Does your look like this with the full console and center steering, etc.?
If not, then you probably have a Sport model as the Sourpuss model must have the center steering along with the rest of the equipment in this list.

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This was from Chuck: "Sure, you could get the boat set up either way. Side console, center steered, different rails, etc. Basically, the Sourpuss name came from the "smirk" that was first introduced on the 13' model as the smirk looked like a "Sourpuss". "

Take a look at my Personal Page to see some pics. I am almost positive the Interior is original.

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I see.

Yes, he seems to have forgotten to mention the desired actual "Sourpuss" model which is entirely different from what he is talking about above.
The Sourpuss model is not to be confused with the general term of the smirk bow which looked like a Sourpuss face.

That is a 1971 Sport model in your last 2 photos.

I gave the catalog description above on what a Sourpuss model is directly from Boston Whaler catalog.
Below is a photo of the genuine Sourpuss model from the catalogs.

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I have a 40hp two stroke Yamaha. It pushes my 1986 13 footer very well at around 32 to 33 mph. I think I could easily pull a skier or tube (I have not done it yet).

I had an old 1983 35hp 2 stroke Johnson that would probably be a great motor for the 13 foot. The power to weight ratio was very good, too bad I sold it before I bought my whaler.

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I have a 40hp 2 stroke Johnson and is more than I need.
35-40hp would probably do what you want.

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The challenge with the Mercury 4 stroke is the caution from Whaler to keep the engine weight as far below 200# as possible on the older 13's

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Thanks for the suggestions. I am going to keep my eye out for a Yamaha 40hp. Don't see too many around here but we will see.

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Per Chuck - "Your boat was listed as a Sourpuss/Sport/Special. Back at this time, pretty much anything could be changed out at the factory. There were quite a few that were sent out this way."

So does that mean I have a Frankenstein model?

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I cannot find a Yamaha 40hp for the life of me. Everything is 20" and I don't want to go that route. What about a 50hp or a jet lower unit? Any body know about those?

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There is a 20 inch transom adapter built specifically for the 15 inch Whaler transom. You can find it here: http://kentfabrications.com/TransumAdaptor.html

I was going to get one but have decided to go with the 15 inch Tohatsu/Nissan TLDI 40 hp which is 206 lbs. I talked to several people who have this motor on a classic 13 with the 15 inch transom and all are very satisfied. The static trim is fine and the boat handles well despite what many who have no experience with that motor on a classic 13 will tell you.

Good luck, I too have looked long and hard for a good old 35-40 hp light two-stroke.