Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: How often do you use your whaler?

Posted by tigermc on 09/07/14 - 5:53 PM
#1

I retired 6 months ago after 38 years with an electrical utility company. I have a 1973 13 sport with a 2003 Yamaha 40 2 stroke. I live 5 miles from the boat ramp on the Ross Barnett reservoir in central Mississippi. I am lucky enough to take my whaler out 2+ times a week to bass fish and just enjoy cruising. This is in my opinion living the dream. I use a Garmin nuvi to monitor my speed and distance traveled and attempt to measure my fuel mileage. I am amazed that I have been averaging around 200 miles per month on my whaler. It would be interesting to.see how much Whaler owners actually use them. We are lucky in the South to have a 12 month boating season. My longest one day trip so far is 66 miles average speed 25-27 mph.

Posted by dougt on 09/07/14 - 7:07 PM
#2

About once per week for 1 1/2 hours this summer in Ohio. I am 45 minutes away from water. I hope to use 3 times a week this winter in Florida.

Posted by kmev on 09/07/14 - 8:07 PM
#3

Not as often as I would like, but when I do - its epic.

Posted by Silentpardner on 09/07/14 - 11:41 PM
#4

I use my 1989 Whaler 27 at least twice every 2 weeks, and recently since July 15th, have been using it more than that. I usually run between 130 and 250 statute miles a day in my use, and I have over 250 hours on my 2013 Yamaha F-300's at this time. I plan on putting another 3-400 miles on this boat over the next 2 days due to a nice weather window offshore of the TX coast.

I am averaging about 1.3 statute mpg running out 55-75 miles off Freeport TX. I have many hours at trolling speeds, and I never shut my engines down, even when drifting offshore. I usually run around 4200 RPM and 35-40 mph cruising. I have had to make better time coming in a few times in order to make it back to port for various arrangements, and when this occurs I run about 5000 RPM for cruise speeds in excess of 40 mph...these speeds only allow for about 1 mpg usually, but speed costs!

Much of my trolling is done with both engines in gear and speeds between 800 and 1400 RPM. I rarely troll at speeds less than 5 mph but up to about 18 mph. Offshore currents and winds play a big role in my engine trolling speeds.

I was told by representative of my local marina that a photo of my boat was being used by the marina on their website, I have not checked the site recently to verify this. I know that boat gets a LOT of attention from the marina operators and the customers alike :)

I came in after a day trip out to about 60 miles offshore with a decent box of fish a couple of weeks ago, and after docking, a bunch of folks from around the docks showed up to observe and photograph the boat and my catch. I never know what happens to all these photos. I have a LOT of fun with my Whaler, and I think kmev said it all in his post above:

Not as often as I would like, but when I do - its epic.

Edited by Silentpardner on 09/07/14 - 11:46 PM

Posted by blacksmithdog on 09/08/14 - 2:42 AM
#5

We go out once a week, unless like this weekend, the weather doesn't let us.

Our usual boating excursion is to launch on a Sunday morning, run down some tidal river, and anchor off an island somewhere, and walk up and down the beach. The boat generally only gets run an hour or two. 24 gallons lasts us a long time.

Posted by tom blinstrub on 09/08/14 - 3:01 AM
#6

I make over 100 trips a year out of the harbor with my 1977 Outrage 21 to pull my Lobster traps and fish. keeping the boat on a mooring I am able to use it much more than if I trailered it. Here in the Northeast we have a 6-7 month season so I go every chance I get.

Posted by gary0319 on 09/08/14 - 7:15 AM
#7

Once a week, weather permitting. Usually just a half day fishing the tide run in Sarasota Bay. We're moving to "semi-retired" and as we downsize our businesses, we hope to increase our usage. More midweek excursions are the goal here.

Posted by RichB on 09/08/14 - 12:47 PM
#8

Lucky enough to live just 10 minutes from the ramp and a 15 minute cruise to the Gulf of Mexico. At least once a week, sometimes twice. 2013 150 Montauk with the 60hp Bigfoot Mercury.

Posted by huckelberry145 on 09/08/14 - 2:56 PM
#9

Two to three times a month on average which is not enough. I usually only get four days off in a month though.

Edited by huckelberry145 on 09/08/14 - 2:58 PM

Posted by ryanhdd on 09/09/14 - 4:49 AM
#10

At least 3 times a week. Already put 100 hours on her since April.

Posted by MarkTemplar on 09/09/14 - 7:21 AM
#11

1964 13' Sport: Average 2 or 3x's @ wk weather permitting. Seneca Lake at Severn Pt launch: 5-miles. Keuka Lake launch 7-miles. Fishing and light boating. Still not enough time on water IMHO. :-)

Posted by huckelberry145 on 09/09/14 - 2:21 PM
#12

You ain't kidding Mark, I was brought up going to the water every weekend, save December through February, and both Saturday and Sunday during the summer. Not to mention we spent our vacations at Murrells inlet S.C. and Rocks Pond, Eutawville S.C. for the boat races. Everything we did for fun revolved around the Whaler and we loved every minute of it.

Posted by Blackduck on 09/09/14 - 2:26 PM
#13

Just about never, got close this year, even bought a new battery-

Posted by dgoodhue on 09/09/14 - 7:04 PM
#14

Not enough. lately, I average about 10-12 days a year.

Posted by Petrus on 09/09/14 - 11:14 PM
#15

Same here, not enough.
About 15 times (total 15 hours) in the summer for 2 + 2 weeks of summer vacation.
I have two hours by car to the cottage where I keep the boat during the boating season.
Hope I will get at least a weekend of boating before winter. last 3 weeks of August was constant heavy rain : (

Posted by docsoma on 09/09/14 - 11:30 PM
#16

Regrettably only about 4 or 5 times a year.....typically about 2 hours on the water on Mission Bay San Diego. No excuses....life is just plain busy.

Posted by lowelife on 09/10/14 - 5:28 AM
#17

2-3 times a week. Very fortunate to live in Florida so we have year round use and the boat is on a lift a 3 minute walk from the house.

Posted by playinghooky1 on 09/10/14 - 5:25 PM
#18

4 to 5 times a week, sometimes more. I am lucky enough to live on a big lake. My mail is delivered to the post office which happens to be a short walk from the town docks, about 3 miles away from me. So any day between May and September, that the wind is not too strong, I take the whaler down the bay to get my mail.

Edited by playinghooky1 on 09/10/14 - 5:28 PM

Posted by Geo on 09/10/14 - 8:08 PM
#19

24 hours a day in my Mind for the last 44 years.

Posted by EJO on 09/18/14 - 11:13 AM
#20

Once a weekend if I'm lucky due to weather and sometimes Admiral constraints. I boat a lot less than I used to do but still manage a week or so boating vacation where the boat gets used 10 to 12 hrs a day. Too many boats not enough time. Another 6 years B-4 retirement when I can boat all week long.

Like was said B-4
Not often enough but when I do it is epic.

Posted by bcoastal on 09/18/14 - 6:37 PM
#21

I use mine more than my truck. We even use it to get groceries sometimes.

Posted by bob camire on 09/22/14 - 2:48 PM
#22

I managed to go out about fifty times this season..my season is from mid may thru mid september in maine. I av erage about 2 hours per trip, cruising aand fishing..most days dont allow for a long run..the seas get too hi and winds come up.. never enough !! epic is the word..whoever said that ! nice call awesome to hear how everyone uses his/her rig !!happy whalering