Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by gccch on 09/12/07 - 8:04 AM

HI all,

New to the whaler group and to whalers. Just picked up a 1979 11' hull in pretty solid condition as far as I can tell. I've mounted a 9.9 o/b on her but not getting the thrill I was hoping for on the water. The tag says a max of 20HP using a steering control, but what if I went with a 40HP? Will it destroy the structure of my stern or just be unsafe from an operating perspective? I know the new sports are using such horsepower, so what's the big difference in construction?

Thanks for any comments.

Greg

Posted by sraab928 on 09/12/07 - 8:21 AM

Greg - Im not sure about the difference in construction but I will say this - I have seen people overpower their Whalers with success - I'm not sure I have seen someone try to double the recommended max hp though.

I would be concerned with motor weight, transom stability - and overall design of the boat - can it really handle the performance of a 40?

Quick comparison between an 11 and a 13
Length - shorter by 2 feet
Beam - narrower by 5"
Weight - depending on model between 70 & 110 pounds lighter
Recommended Max Hp for the sport - 20hp for the 11 & 40hp for the 13.

I have seen 50's on a 13 - but none with 80hp on it.

All I can offer is a think carefully about this one.... Life is fragile.

Maybe someone with more knowledge on this hull can chime in.

Good luck and be safe.

Posted by MW on 09/12/07 - 9:13 AM

I've seen 50's on 13 footer's as well, my view, "Don't exceed the max. H.P. rating for the Hull", it's there for a reason, common sense say's "don't do it", short hulls that are over horsepowered tend to get "Squirrely" up at speed, leaving no time to react, and flipping over, spilling you and the boat all over the bay. wanna go fast, get the right hull, or it's like putting a jet engine on a horse and buggy, to make it go faster.
mw

Posted by Derwd24 on 09/12/07 - 10:46 AM

All good points, especially the short hull getting squirrely with big power on the back, seems like almost a given with that combination. What year is the 9.9 you have? Older engines were rated at the power head, newer ones at the prop shaft, so perhaps you'd be happy with the performance of the boat using a newer 20-25 HP (2 stroke = lighter) engine?

Posted by Jeff on 09/12/07 - 11:27 AM

No you will not destroy the integrity of the hull by going to such a horsepower however, the boat will become very unstable at higher speeds and begin to chine walk on you. If you are not able to react to this when it begins to happen it can get ugly quickly. I will bet you will get the boat going fast enough with just a 25 hp motor.

Posted by CES on 09/12/07 - 1:04 PM

moose wrote:
My 13 gets scary and VERY unsafe at 45 mph with a 40 hp. I would definitely not recommend it on an 11.
Mike

Wow Moose, you're lucky. I can only get 36 MPH out of my 13 with a 40hp on it. I have noticed it "Chine walk" even at that speed though.

Edited by CES on 09/12/07 - 1:05 PM

Posted by gccch on 09/13/07 - 4:56 AM

Thanks, guys.

The 9.9 I have is a 93. But I will continue to look for a more appropriate engine, either 20 or 25 HP. At least we're on the water as it is.

Greg

Posted by gccch on 09/16/07 - 5:28 AM

#10

Well I've found an old 20 on Craigs List to try out. It comes with controls so if it runs good I should have a chance to test it out in a week or so.

Posted by MW on 09/16/07 - 11:16 AM

#12

A 20 on that Hull is plenty, stay safe, that's why you and the rest of us bought "Whaler's", to stay "Safe", ask any 15' or 13' Whaler owner how nervous they get when they get in a boat of the same size but, a different manufacturer than "Whaler", we all get a worried "LOOK", and thoughts of "I wish we were in MY boat" go through everyone's mind, Keep your "P.F.D." on too !

mw