Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by crabs63 on 09/14/20 - 11:38 AM

I have this boat since 2000 with a Mercury 30hp 2-Stroke. The boat and engine had been good to me for the last 20 years. The last few years, the engine is starting to show it ages (salt water exposure, wiring harness corroded, lots of smokes, compression down to 85...)

I still love the little boat.... And with that, I'm thinking of upgrade to a 30hp, 4-Stroke (Mercury or Yamaha). I will probably need new controller for the steering plus some.

Any helps on which brand of engine or directions will be appreciated (the reason for a 4-stroke is noise...)

I'm in CT and there are not that many Whaler dealers around...

Posted by Phil T on 09/14/20 - 12:25 PM

Engine purchase is about 3 things.

Price
Service
Engine Features.

Any engine dealer can do repower, does not have to be a Whaler dealer.

All brands have decent offerings in the 30hp range. Several brands offer engines made by other manufacturer.

I recall Mercury 30hp and below are made by Tohatsu.

Suzuki prices are below many others and appears to be buying market share. Worth strong consideration.

Posted by biggiefl on 09/15/20 - 12:23 PM

I personally would not even think about using a dealer. Many engine shops around or do it yourself(easy). I also would not go with a 30hp unless you are thrilled with its perfomance. I would go 40-50hp and liven it up.

Posted by crabs63 on 09/16/20 - 10:43 AM

Thank you for all your inputs!!!

Will definitely do more research on this over the winter. Hopefully, I'll have a decision before the next boating season.

Posted by biggiefl on 09/16/20 - 12:29 PM

Do you have the new styled 130 hull or the classic 13? If the classic, scratch my comment on a larger engine, a 30hp is fine. The newer hulls are MUCH heavier and a 30hp is kinda a dog. My friend had one and we were going to drop a 60hp on it but wound up going with a Montauk.

Posted by crabs63 on 09/16/20 - 12:45 PM

It's the new style hull. Boat is 2000 and has the factory 2000 Mercury 30HP 2-stroke.

According to the sticker stamped on the boat, 35HP is the max allowable (per US Coast Guard?). Can I go 40hp?

Posted by Phil T on 09/16/20 - 1:09 PM

Not the classic, rather the post-classic 13'

Has a dry weight of 605 lbs and a max hp rating of 30hp.

Posted by crabs63 on 09/16/20 - 1:55 PM

Phil posted the exact model I have. This boat is perfect for the bay including hundreds of boat rides, clams, crabs and countless fishing trips and about a dozen propellers over the last 20 years.

Posted by Joe Kriz on 09/16/20 - 2:07 PM

crabs63 wrote:
It's the new style hull. Boat is 2000 and has the factory 2000 Mercury 30HP 2-stroke.

According to the sticker stamped on the boat, 35HP is the max allowable (per US Coast Guard?). Can I go 40hp?

The 2000 catalog states the max hp is 30hp.
Can you post a photo of your sticker so we can verify the 35hp you mention?
Thanks.
http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...lbum_id=51

Posted by biggiefl on 09/17/20 - 9:07 AM

#10

They moved it to 40hp in I think 2002. There is no law that says you can not over power a boat, just make sure your insurance company knows. You can also get a newer capacity plate with the 40hp rating.

Posted by crabs63 on 09/17/20 - 9:13 AM

#11

Joe is correct. I checked and it's 30HP max. Not sure where I got 35hp from. See attached.