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What would you guys say regarding handling, passenger comfort and stability between a 13 footer to a 15 or 16 footer is? Is there a huge difference between the 13 and 15 foot models? It seems that the hull on the 15 foot whalers is a bit taller, does anyone know how much taller they are in comparison to a 13 footer?

This will be my first boat and I want to get the right one for my family and I. I would like to be able to take 4 adult passengers and my 8 year old daughter around the bay and occasionally out to a sandbar in Key West :)

Thank you all in advance for your input!

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A member on this site has just reduced his price on his 16/17' currituck.

Just in your price range....
Take a look at this classified ad on our site:
http://www.whalercentral.com/forum/vi...ad_id=1556

This just gives you an idea of what can be found.

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I send him an email yesterday and haven't herd back? It looks like a great boat! But he may have sold it. I am going got send him another email

Thanks for keeping an eye out!

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If you find a boat in a certain location, check the Whaler Shopper Network (hosted by WhalerCentral) and see if someone in that area would look at the boat for you and give you their opinion on the condition before you drive there.

http://www.whalercentral.com/whaler_s...hopper.php

Also, see this thread:
http://www.whalercentral.com/forum/vi...rowstart=0

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I'll add that given the number of people you want to carry, a 13' hull would be a bad choice. I think you'll be much safer and happier in the larger 16/17.

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I have a 15' sport /50 HP, and althought it could carry that amount of people, it would be a bit crowded, and it would handle like a barge, 3 people is about the most to fit comfortably, two people works better, a 16' or 17' would be a better choice for your needs (they have higher sides too), much safer.

mw

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A couple of other things to consider...
1. The towing capacity of your vehicle. My Honda CRV is rated for 1500 lbs total weight boat & trailer. A 17 on a trailer with motor, fuel, battery, etc. exceeds that weight I believe.
2. Storage options. A 15 on a trailer can usually be squeezed into a standard 20' garage bay, but likely nothing bigger than that would fit.
3. Ease of maneuvering the boat/trailer around from its parking space to your vehicle, if you don't keep the boat in the water. Bigger = more difficult, depending on your situation. My trailer sits on the grass in the summer, and has to be rolled into position up to the vehicle. Can be tough when the ground is wet/soft.
4. Maintenance & insurance costs. Bigger boat & bigger motor ultimately means higher costs. Usually not a huge difference, but there is a correlation between size and yearly cost.

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All good points, but if you get caught in a unexpected blow with building chop in a 15' with 4-5 people on board (which is the expected number), those points may hold less water than the boat!

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If you are going to have 4 adults, I would encourage you to go with the 15 vs the 13. By the time you get gear, gas, battery, people, cooler, etc. that additional 2 feet will make a big difference

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Miamiwhaler,

I'm selling a 13 in your price range, but sorry, you need a 15 or bigger. Even if you're not buying a new one, go to a dealer and climb onboard a 13. Take the 4 adults and 8 year old with you and get in. You dont want to use that for a full day of boating with that many passengers. If you were getting a ride from a boat to a dock on it, no problem. Otherwise, it's too small for what you want to do.

You live in Miami. When you go out on Biscayne Bay, there are tons of boats out ther throwing wakes, etc. Like Capt. Brody said in Jaws: "Your'e gonna need a bigger boat."

You need a 15 minimum. Even then, it's too small for what you plan to do. You have to realize that if you plan on taking it out with that many people, you are also going to have bags with towels, assorted gear and food. A cooler with drinks, 4 life jackets, etc.

If your target is $4K, just use that as a downpayment on a bigger boat and finance it for 10 years. Your monthly payments will be minimal and you will have a new, bigger "safer" boat, with a new motor (under warranty) and a new trailer.

As a first time boater, you dont want to get an older rig with a 20+ year old motor. It may run great for 6 months, but all motors eventually need work, older ones need it more often. At least with new motors, its covered under warrantly for 3 years. Getting stranded with kids is something that you want to avoid.

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

Brian

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Thank you everyone for all of your advice! I think I'm going to go with a 15 or 16/17 footer.

I have a 2000 Toyota Camry. I looked up the towing capacity and it can pull 2000 lbs. Wow go figure. Do you think a 15 footer or a 16/17 footer with a decent outboard and a full tank of gas in the boat will keep me under 2000 lbs ?

Thanks again guys!

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my 15' weighs in at somewhere around 900 lbs, any car can tow just about any boat, it's when you pull the boat up the ramp, that's where not having enough "Power" shows up. It should not be a problem, I tow my 15 with a '96 Pontiac Grand Am V6 (not exactly a brute of a motor, and a light car), with no problems.

mw

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My take from a '69 Sport 13 guy...I would love a larger boat ...room, range, safety etc.

Why a 13 for me...? Most dingy docks will not allow anything larger than a 13. The 13 also tows well behind a sailboat. Grew up on a Cal 40 and we could still scream back from Catalina at 7-1/2 knts with the 13 chasing us. It will dog down my Ericson 30 a bit but will be well worth it once we are on the hook.

Inside the breakwater with 4-5 adults for a booze cruise is tight but no big deal. 2-3 is tops in rougher water. Remember, the old 13 is a real rider participation boat...you WILL get wet and boat butt is the norm.

My 2 cents!

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one should ALWAYS go with the largest boat they can. ESPECIALLY when we are dealing with smaller boats. I've always felt the comfort, ride, and safety increases exponentially with the boats size, ie a 15' is TIMES more comfy than a 13', and a 17' times more than the 15'. I've several friends that have learned this the hard way with rubber dinks on their sailboats. Yeah, easy to STOWE, but man, do they get their arses kicked in their little 9' rubber duck with the 3hp outboard, when trying to go ashore. In fact, I have seen several times cruisers not even able to enter the pond at Georgetown, Great Exuma, with an outgoing tide!
now, I know you are looking for something a bit more substantial than THAT, but the theory still applies. Believe me, you won't regret going 17', where as you will very likely regret going too small. This theory does begin to fall apart once we hit the 30' range and up, where folks are quite susceptible to "over-buying"; not being able to handle the boat, afford to feed it, or become slaves to the maintenance and upkeep. Sad sight, when someone buys a 48' boat, which is too small for professional crew, but too big for "Harry Homeowner".