Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by rcmickey on 03/22/08 - 11:19 AM

I have a question for you Whaler-philes out there. Has anyone ever seen or owned a 13FT Whaler with twin 25HP outboards or is this a no no? Also can you run a 70HP outboard on a 13Ft Whaler and why-not. I await your answers thnx.....B)

Posted by Jeff on 03/22/08 - 11:35 AM

There has been a 15 super sport in Fort Lauderdale spotted with twin 35's. Though never seen a 13.

Can you run a 70 on a 13? I do not see why not other than it being dangerous.

Posted by wrangler on 03/22/08 - 2:21 PM

According to US Coast Guard and State regulations the capacity plate MUST be adhered to. Overpowering a boat is ILLEGAL. If you are in a accident or stopped by the Marine Patrol or USCG look for a BIG Fine and also a voyage termination!
If you have insurance, you just left the company an out. They will not pay for reckless use.

Posted by Jeff on 03/22/08 - 2:31 PM

As stated in this post in regards to overpowering and capacity plates. The USGC does not require you to adhere to the capacity plate power rating and can not fine you nor ticket you for overpowering. States are different and your state may have laws against it.

Also, be up for with your insurance company (if you are even insured) about the power and if they write a policy for the boat "as is" then you will be covered. Safeco is a companies that I know will cover boats powered above the capacity plate so long as you notify them of it.

Like I said above read the linked post for a complete explanation.

Edited by Jeff on 03/22/08 - 2:39 PM

Posted by kamie on 03/22/08 - 3:35 PM

I assume we are talking about a post 1973 or the transom has been built up on an older 13. Not sure how you could mount twins, and even at that is there enough room?

Posted by rcmickey on 03/22/08 - 5:03 PM

Well, well, well I knew this would start a discussion but this is a fire storm. First its a late 72 and the plate is so faded it could say the boat was Intergalactic star fighter and nobody would know the diffrence. Second their is plenty of room on the transom for two motors and its very strong with that extra well in the center to act as a brace. And, third and final point. The two motors are only a few more pounds than a fifty which I see on many 13ns all the time. Oh and by the way we have been checked out by the G.C. FL Marine Patrol and Hollywood PD and no one has ever looked at or asked me for the size of the motors. As far as my coverage it just says that I cannot be involved in anything ilegal or racing the boat. THNXXX everyone for the comments as soon as I have pics I will post them. PS Do you think she will go faster with the 70HP or the twins?

Posted by Jeff on 03/22/08 - 5:16 PM

A single motor will always push a boat faster than twins of the same Hp. Less drag. No matter the HP it seems these hulls just hit a wall around 50 - 55 mph. Look forward to seeing pictures. Sounds very cool.

Edited by Jeff on 03/22/08 - 5:17 PM

Posted by Bob H on 03/23/08 - 9:02 AM

#11

I have seen twin 25's on a Rage 15ft, and twin Martin 10's on an old
Alumacraft 14' fishing boat. Both were very unusual and interesting.
For a Whaler 13' twin 15's would be about right, without being too heavy.
70hp on a 13 is just asking for trouble.

Posted by Binkie on 03/23/08 - 10:15 AM

#12

Geez, why do people always think they can make a fast boat out of a 13 ft. Whaler. It was originally designed to run with a 115lb. motor, and with the hooked bottom won`t go fast with any motor. I guess fast is a relative term. (over 60mph). With a heavy moter the boat will porpoise and be uncomfortable and probably dangerous for some. Get a 15 footer if you want to go fast, it has a straight bottom.

Rich

Posted by Jeff on 03/23/08 - 10:34 AM

#13

I agree with Rich. However, our 15 Super Sport which, a 75hp 4 cylinder Merc and a tall SS prop, had a tendency to chine walk above 35 mph if you were not careful. I had the boat on flat water screaming along at 62 mph on the old style water pick-up speedos. My guess is it really was most likely in the low - mid 50's (?) as I am sure the speedo had to off. Any way it was fast.

Since we sold that boat every other 15 I have been chine walked as well. It has to do with the deeper v on the 15' hull. If I was going to make a small "race whaler" I would get a 15 and put a running pad for high speed stability on it like Mick is doing Here. I think he is going to try and run a 90 or 115 on this hull.

BTW you should have called me. I stayed a day longer than Joe did in Miami.

Edited by Jeff on 03/23/08 - 10:39 AM

Posted by rcmickey on 03/23/08 - 6:40 PM

#14

Ok! Binkie take a deep breath no one is trying to make a race boat out of a Whaler. I have had everything from a 12ft Star Craft to a 35Ft Sea Ray including a very scary 28Ft Triple Play with three 225 Johnsons. I'm just looking for a little fun with my 13 Yr old son something we can play with. Thnx again to everyone for the comments. Keep them comming.

Posted by MW on 03/23/08 - 7:17 PM

#15

don't forget that engine maint. cost's will also be double (2 prop's, 2 water pumps, two lower units to maintain, etc.). It kind of goes against what the 13' sport was designed for (SAFE, simple, low cost, and lot's of fun). "Redundancy" is designed for "off shore" use, where engine failure is not an option.
mw

Posted by CES on 03/23/08 - 7:22 PM

#16

Why on earth does a 13 year old need twins on his BW? I grew up in Pompano and back in the day we could run, legally, full speed up and down the canals and in Lake Santa Barbara. Nowadays it's all a no wake zone.

Posted by rcmickey on 03/26/08 - 12:03 PM

#18

The cost factor is something I'm just beginning to think about but I do most of my own work so the labor is not an issue parts are though. My 13 year old is 5'8" and 190 pounds and he really enjoys that boat. I rather have him in the Whaler than on a Jet Ski, Wave Runner, Sea Doo etc. I grew up in the Keys and part of the time Hialeah and remember those summers with my 15 Ft Woodson tri-haul with 135 Johnson man those were the days. Your right it seems like everything is a no wake (Slow Zone) in the intercoastal anymore. Thnx

Posted by pglein on 03/28/08 - 3:25 PM

#19

Jesus Christ, do NOT put a 70hp engine on a 13' Whaler and turn it over to a 13 year old kid. My god, you must hate your child. If you do that, you may as well say goodbye to him now, becuase he won't survive one summer. I damn near killed myself an another kid with a 40hp on a 13' when I was about 13 years old. Put a 70 on there and you're asking for trouble. A 30hp is a much more appropriate engine for a kid using that boat.

Posted by rcmickey on 03/28/08 - 6:02 PM

#20

OMG! Everybody needs to just take a very deep breath. I am not going to install a 70hp motor on my 13. I would not do that. Especially since the two 25HP Rudes push it just fine. Oh and by the way I love my kid.......

Posted by mick on 03/29/08 - 7:09 AM

#22

Please do twins.
Please share pictures.

It's a little absurd, but I've worked on a few 13's rigged with OMC triple 60 and 70hps. As Jeff said, they don't respond to added horsepower very well after 50hp, but the hole shot is worth it! We've removed the hook on one of these boats, but even then the boat just rides with too much hull in the water to really go fast.

Enthusiasm, innovation...I like it!

::: Obligatory safety statement about overpowering, 13 year olds, etc:::

Edited by mick on 03/29/08 - 7:10 AM