Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by HarleyFXDL on 08/05/07 - 4:11 PM

Hello all,

I wrote Joe in regards to my thoughts about what Whaler would fit my needs. He advised I share it with the community. Here is the letter, all advice is welcome:

Hi Joe,

My name is Kevin and I recently purchased my first Whaler a 1984 17' Montauk. I must say I'm very pleased with the boat. I have two small children and mostly boat on the lower Hudson River here in NY. The boat seems fine but if the water gets a little choppy the Montauk seems to bounce a lot. Also, I would prefer dual engine for peace of mind when out with my children. I am presently looking into a kicker engine, but have heard it won't be as good as a dual engine configuration. I have looked around and the 18' Outrage would be a better choice. I would prefer a boat that does not have calm water restrictions and would allow for dual engines. I need to keep the size under 20'.

I would like to get the latest model that would allow the installation of dual engines and stay within my size restrictions. I plan on trailering the boat with my truck, no mooring. Looking at the website, the best choice seems to be the 1981-89 18' Outrage. I'm not too knowledgeable about the different models and I'm hoping that I can gain a greater knowledge of the different types.

Judging from the extensive knowledge you possess about the Whaler line, Your comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time,
Kevin Lange

Posted by Joe Kriz on 08/05/07 - 4:17 PM

Kevin,

Thanks for posting this here and allowing all the members to be able to give their opinion.

Here is what I wrote back to Kevin:

Welcome to WhalerCentral.

I can answer your questions here but it would be much better if you put a post on WhalerCentral so all the members can read it and give their opinion.
You have heard of the old saying: "Opinions are like rear ends, everybody has one".....

I owned a Montauk for 15 years and enjoyed the boat. I also had a kicker to get me back in off the lake or river. I also used the kicker motor for trolling for fish.
http://users.sisqtel.net/jkriz/Montau...ntauk.html

In my opinion, twin motors are only for ocean going vessels where if one engine dies, the other engine will get you back fast as long as that one engine will get the boat UP on plane. Or for people that really like the sports car model and don't have the need to troll slowly....

I owned an Outrage 18' with twin Evinirude 70 hp. See this article on WhalerCentral about this twin engine setup:
http://www.whalercentral.com/readarti...icle_id=35
Here are photos of the Outrage 18' that I owned with twins...
http://users.sisqtel.net/jkriz/Outrag...age86.html

For me, twins are NO good as I prefer a kicker to troll slowly.... That is what I have on my Outrage 18'.....
http://users.sisqtel.net/jkriz/Outrag...trage.html

The Outrage 18' is one of the finest all around Whalers.
The Montauk was nice but had a rough ride in the chop.
I have owned a 22' Outrage Cuddy which I liked but sold it and went back to the 18' that I already had.
Here are photos of all the Whalers I have owned.
http://users.sisqtel.net/jkriz/whaler...alers.html

Every Whaler has its place. It just depends on what the owner wants to do with his Whaler.

To install a kicker motor on a Montauk or Outrage, read this article on WhalerCentral:
http://www.whalercentral.com/readarti...icle_id=48

I hope this answers your question...
Now, if this was posted on WhalerCentral, everyone else would be able to read it and this knowledge would be shared. That is one of the reasons that I suggest always creating a post on the forums so everyone can read it.... I'm sure you understand....

I'm sure you will get many other opinions now that your question is listed here.
Maybe even some better than mine..... :D

Edited by Joe Kriz on 08/05/07 - 4:22 PM

Posted by arthureld on 08/05/07 - 4:24 PM

Hey Kevin,
Welcome.
I don't have much advice exept you might want to grab Jeff's list of things to look for when buying a Whaler.
Sounds like you already know what you are looking for.
I'm in Babylon on Long Island and I enjoy the heck out of my 1984 Outrage 20 with a single 185 hp Johnson.
Good luck with your search

Edited by arthureld on 08/05/07 - 4:28 PM

Posted by Joe Kriz on 08/05/07 - 5:38 PM

arthureld made me think of one more thing.

All boats in my opinion should have 2 motors.....
Either matching twins or a single main and a kicker.
I like the security a kicker motors offers plus for me, the trolling aspect for fishing....
My boating is mainly done in remote areas so if I didn't have a backup motor, I could be out there a long, long, time waiting for someone... Even with a VHF radio and a cell phone......

Posted by kamie on 08/05/07 - 5:39 PM

Kevin,
I would say the 18 Outrage is one of the finest boats around. Easy to trailer and launch and since it will float in 10 inches of water, easy to beach and enjoy. Since you are in NYC, I would question your need for twins. I considered it when I repowered my 18 this past year but since I don't plan to run 100 miles of shore I decided it was overkill. I purchased my boat with a single 150 that the previous owner used to take to the canyons off Cape May every weekend for fishing. If you plan to run offshore or where assistance might be long in coming then strongly consider twins, but I have seen only a couple 18 Outrages rigged with twins, most are rigged with a large single and you don't see a lot of twins until you get into the 25 Outrages. It is nice to have options though.

Good luck with the search.

Posted by canyonrunner1 on 08/05/07 - 7:30 PM

Hello all. I am a first time whaler owner. i recently puchased an 11" ss 1984. I will be restoring this boat over the winter but for now Iam enjoying it,. I own a 29' Topaz and this will be my tender to and fro my mooring. I am an avid fisherman and i fish the northeast canyons. I know I will enjoy this little beauty for sure I have wanted on since I was 8 yrs old. I am glad I found this website and I am sure that I will find much useful info here thanks

Posted by DelawareDan on 08/05/07 - 11:21 PM

Well, hello to both Kevin and canyonrunner.

Kevin, I tend to agree with Joe in "all things Whaler," and this is no exception. Unless you're running to the canyons, a big, well-serviced motor with a kicker is ideal, and your feeling about the 18 Outrage seems to be right-on. (So how much do you want for your Montaulk? Just kidding.) You'll have the safety of the extra motor, and the economy and power of the single. When I'm rich and famous, or lucky, I may be your shopping competitor. And I would run to the canyons with that setup. :o

Posted by MW on 08/06/07 - 1:42 AM

Why not just dock in "Jamaica Bay", ton's of stripers, protected harbor, you can always run out of the inlet if you want some ocean, the Hudson is pretty easy from there too (Lower NY Bay).
mw

Posted by HarleyFXDL on 08/06/07 - 5:20 PM

Thank you everyone for the great advice. I figure I will have the montauk at least another year. It's a great boat and this winter I plan on re-wiring the boat and finishing all the teak work. I already prepped the wife for the purchase of a 18' Outrage. I figure next winter I will start the hunt for a nice, solid Outrage. Once again thanks to all. ;)

Posted by arthureld on 08/06/07 - 5:35 PM

#10

Joe Kriz wrote:
arthureld made me think of one more thing.

All boats in my opinion should have 2 motors.....
Either matching twins or a single main and a kicker.
I like the security a kicker motors offers plus for me, the trolling aspect for fishing....
My boating is mainly done in remote areas so if I didn't have a backup motor, I could be out there a long, long, time waiting for someone... Even with a VHF radio and a cell phone......

Well, now I need to find a kicker that will match my 1984 185 hp Johnson. :)

Posted by Joe Kriz on 08/06/07 - 6:04 PM

#11

arthureld,

Johnson's are easy to match because they are all white.... slightly different graphics though.

I would consider an 8 hp 4 stroke Johnson...
Below is a photo of a 1998 model. The other years are similar in graphics....
Make sure you get a long shaft.. that would be a 20 inch shaft or Johnson.... :D

Posted by Joe Kriz on 08/06/07 - 6:12 PM

#12

You could even get a white Evinrude to somewhat match.

I bought a 1997 8hp 4 stroke Evinrude from Tom W Clark that I was going to use along with a new E-Tec which are also White. I decided to wait on purchasing the E-Tec 150 for a little while so I sold the 8hp to a friend of mine who owned a 1996 Johnson 115....

Posted by arthureld on 08/06/07 - 6:26 PM

#13

Thanks Joe, I'll see if the Outboard Wizard can find me one.
He is right down the street from here and they rebuild lots of motors.

Posted by arthureld on 08/07/07 - 6:08 PM

#14

Hey Joe, what makes you recommend a 4 stroke kicker over a 2 stroke?

Posted by Joe Kriz on 08/07/07 - 6:28 PM

#15

arthureld,

1. I am NOT a 4 stroke fan.

2. Most people do have 4 strokes on their boat and they seem to like them. So, a 4 stroke kicker is usually the choice in this situation.

3. If you put a 2 stroke kicker motor on like I did and the main motor has the VRO which uses straight gas, then the person needs to add the Accu-Mix system for the kicker like I did. This way you can use the main tank for just straight gas without the need of another portable gas tank just for the kicker with pre-mix in it.... I hate to pre-mix fuel....

4. A 2 stroke would be good for you if you add the Accu-Mix system for an OMC kicker.... Other people have had problems trying to add the Accu-Mix on a Suzuki or other similar non OMC brand motor.

5. My personal preference as soon as they come out.....
A. An E-Tec 9.9hp 2 stroke kicker
B. Then I will go ahead and put the E-Tec 150hp 2 stroke on at the same time....
Not sure if the new E-Tec 9.9 will have its own internal oiler or if something else will be needed. Many of the smaller E-Tec have their own internal oiling system so I am hoping that the 9.9 will have this also....

And, just for the record.... I did not RECOMMEND a 4 stroke....
If you read it very closely, I said, "I would CONSIDER an 8hp 4 stroke kicker".........

One advantage of the 4 stroke kicker is that they are a little less noisy than the 2 strokes of yesteryear.
The new E-Tec 9.9hp 2 stroke should be just as quite as the 4 strokes produced today....

So, the choice is yours...
With a 4 stroke kicker, you could just bolt it on, hook a fuel line up to the fuel/water separator, and go..
Let us know what you end up with.....

Posted by arthureld on 08/07/07 - 6:57 PM

#16

Well, the last owner took off the VRO on my Johnson.
So, maybe a 2 stroke wouldn't be bad for me.

Posted by Joe Kriz on 08/07/07 - 7:07 PM

#17

There you go...

If you have to pre-mix fuel in your main tank for the main engine, then a 2 stroke kicker would work out great for you. Just hook the fuel line up to the fuel/water separator just like I mentioned for the 4 strokes.... Both engines would be running pre-mix.....

Posted by arthureld on 08/08/07 - 4:41 AM

#18

Thanks Joe.
Mixing fuel is messy, but since I have a 63 gal tank, I don't have to do it more than a few times each season.

Posted by sraab928 on 08/08/07 - 4:45 AM

#19

Welcome aboard Kevin. Sounds like you have a nice boat and a nice plan for a future 18 Outrage purchase. Good luck to you!