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So,

Over the past couple months I have been scouring the US looking for a new whaler to fill the void left when my Outrage went to a new home. I started out looking for a 17, then a 17 or 18, and before you knew it I found some 22's in my price range and I almost bought a couple of 22's. Both of them fell through upon further inspection of them. In all of the frenzy of finding larger and larger boats I lost focus of my goal. I really had to step back and look at the picture again. What I needed is a small boat that I do not need my full size truck to pull. I wanted a boat that was a well preserved classic no matter the hull and it would need to fit into my garage. I wanted a boat that if at all possible was 100% freshwater. I wanted a boat that was as close to 100% OEM as possible. In the end it was not so much the hull but, more about the condition of the hull. After all it is easy to put a new motor on a hull however, it is a lot harder to make a crappy hull look good again. I thought about it and decided I would rather have a smaller boat that is near showroom condition than a larger one the needs TLC.

So upon looking around I ran across a craigslist ad for a 1976 Newport. The boat was in Ohio and it looked fimiliar in the ad however, I just could not place it. I hit me a day later. It just happened to be the same boat that is shown on Continuouswave's Cetacea page 66. The boat had never left the inland lakes around Columbus Ohio and was a 2 owner boat. It was always kept on a trailer in a garage or on a cover lift on the lake. The boat had a 85hp Evinrude V4 that upon my compression tests showed 115 - 117 on all cylinders. The motor kicked over and fired right up. The pervious owner started a very detailed log book from the first used of the motor. Adding up all of the hours puts it's life at 200 - 210 hours. The boat has all of the OEM equipment windshields intact and in great condition. The interior of the boat is spotless and has only 3-4 minor cracks in all of the interior. The exterior of the hull is in great shape with a couple of small chips that need a little spectrum patch paste. The boat has a full mooring cover, Mills RPS cover, Original Mills Bimini and Forward shelter (pretty rare) in the OEM toast color, an after market pacific blue sunbrella Bimini, and forward halls bow cushion. An amazing boat for it's age and actually is in a lot better shape than my Outrage. One of those garage finds.

I had given a deposit a couple weeks back and told the seller I wanted to see it in person before making full payment. So I set out yesterday in the snow, sleet, freezing rain, and rain to have a look a the boat in person. It showed beautifully in person and after an inspection I agreed to purchase it. Just happened to be the right boat at the right price. Nice thing is I did not spend my entire budge to get a preserved time piece of a whaler. So I will pay off some bills and Invest the rest to build the next whaler fund. I am looking forward to having this boat for my coming family. The low console is great for smaller kids to learn how to drive and the extra deck on top of the hull helps contain them. Also with a lake house in a my dreams this will be a great boat for that as well. Fortunately I have the 22 Guardian at my beckon call when I need to get out on the open water and run like the wind offshore.

Any how, because of the turn key nature of the boat they is really nothing I have to do to it but, being who I am there are a couple things I want to do. I need to refinish the wood to my level of expectations, reinstall the OEM Morse throttle (came with the boat) and get rid of the Evinrude one, and adjust the bunks on the trailer. Also I have sourced a 1976 Center console that I am going to refurb and re gelcoat. This is just for down the road if I decided to convert it to a Newtauk (consoles us the same mounting area) at least it will be period correct.

Here are some pictures. I took these this morning after pulling it home through a thunder storm, biblical rain storm, sleet, and fog. She needs a bath but still looks good.


Also,

Thanks to all of you who have sent me listings they have found and also offered to and actually surveyed boats for me. You guys are what make the whaler community such a great one.

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Jeff, congrats on the boat! It looks like a real find and i know its new owner will make something great into something akin to perfect. Hope it gives you and your family many years of great boating, and as we've heard repeatedly from other Whalers in the family, memories that once they've grown up that they in turn search for a Whaler to repeat the good times with children of their own.

Salute

Duf B)

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SWEET! Looks really sharp Jeff and please fight the repower bug and leave that old rude on the back of her. Of course you need to raise it up a bit and put a bigger prop on her :D

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great looking boat Jeff. You and I are at opposite ends of the spectrum today. I just signed over my Montauk to a very nice gentleman from Ohio and I'm feeling a little blue. One thing for sure though, he's going to treat it right so I feel good about that. Congrats again on a great find.

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Wow, I was wondering when you would get out to look at her. Glad you took her home. She is a beautiful boat in awesome condition and I am sure you and the family will enjoy her for years.

Guess you need to change your signature :)

How about 'Have Whaler; Lets Fish!'

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Jeff nice boat! Really nice boat!!! Who manufactured that cool search light?

Jeff

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Jeff,

Congratulations! That is a nice Newport. I have always liked the looks of the Newport. It should serve you well.

The motor looks like the 100 HP Evinrude I had on my old Sakonnet. That motor ran and ran and ran.

And the really cool part is that it fits in your garage. Being able to store the boat completely out of the sun is a huge plus. Indoor storage completely stops the aging process on fiberglass boats and any wood trim.

Definately get that control changed out, and fast. That side control mounted to the top of the console is an eyesore. You will love the original chrome Morse control box. They feel so, so... right. They are a quality control.

Doug

Have fun with it,
Doug

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Congrats Jeff! Beautiful find. See good things do come to those who are patient enough to sift through all the garbage out there! Best of luck with her!

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Thanks guys.

The boat is in great condition a will be another source of pride.

Bob, Trust me I have not intentions of getting rid of the Rude. Like new compression #'s, paint and decals in perfect condition, and the to cool retro color scheme to boot.

SB, I do not know who makes the light but it sure looks cool.

Kamie, thanks for the kind words. And thanks for sharing in the horror of looking for a new used whaler. Looking forward to what you have in store.

Doug, Though not right for this boat the OEM Evinrude side mount control will be kept for that project 13 some day.;)

Now if it only could get warm again.

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Yipee !

The search is over! You must feel like the guy chasing Dr. Richard Kimball. Tired!

Good for you!

P.S. That is not a Outrage 17 ;)

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Ya, I know Phil. It is not a Montauk nor Revenge either. It is a really well kept boat for a great price that was close to home. ;)

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Nice find, I hope it brings you many years of happiness.

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That looks like a really nice boat Jeff.
It is pretty much the same as what I have been looking
for. But I am still sorting through the trash hoping to find
a nice one like yours.

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Bob,
]
What are exactly looking for and what is your price range? I am always looking and will keep and eye out.

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Jeff,

Congratulations, your search for a boat seemed to take on an Epic nature. When my search finally came to an end this year I had the same considerations, tow vehicle, garage storage, etc. Tough to stay focused when just another couple of feet worth of boat is within reach. Good luck, I look forward to seeing your personal touch applied to a great looking Whaler.

Kent (Bigfish114)

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Congratulations Jeff! She's in excellent shape, really nice boat. Its has to feel good to know all that sifting through the undesirables has paid off. Enjoy it and Happy Holidays to you and yours.

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just beautiful, real nice boat and great model. Not sure if you posted this or if you are interested in sharing but really curious as to your purchase price. I ended up with a 70 katama in the reverse condition, good motor crappy boat, but I still like her anyway.

My brothers father in law has a newport too, similar year, he repowered with a nice 4 stroke. Its a dream for bay fishing.


John

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Jeff -- congratulations!

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Looks like your patience and waiting for the exact right one to come along has really paid off! From the appearance of the one you got, it's a good thing the others didn't pan out...........I think you would have had a hard time getting that 22 Cuddy we were talking about in your garage! :D Anyhow, congradulations and we want a detailed description of your first crusie at home!

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It's the patience part I am having trouble with. I know the right boat is just around the corner and the ones that slipped thru my fingers just weren't the right ones for one reason or another but the waiting is killing me.

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Jeff,

I was looking at the photos of the boat on Cetacea again and I have to say, that is a cool boat. I know you are going to dial it in just right. Congrats. Jim