Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by iankeller on 05/03/09 - 9:17 PM

Any thoughts on how a Striper Seaswirl compares to a Whaler? I'm looking to get my first boat in the 15-17' range. There's a 2002 17' Striper Seaswirl available near me that's loaded with features. I've been looking at older Montauks but I have to go back to the 1980s to get a Montauk in the same $7-8k range and boats from that era are feature limited - no live wells, limited storage, etc. I know the Montauk is a better boat. But of all the boats out there that are inferior to Whalers, how do the Striper Seaswirl's compare?

Posted by ioptfm on 05/04/09 - 6:05 AM

iankeller wrote:
I know the Montauk is a better boat. But of all the boats out there that are inferior to Whalers, how do the Striper Seaswirl's compare?

I think you answered your own question..............If you want to buy a boat that you keep for a life time, then hold out for the Whaler...........If you want to replace it periodically then go with another brand......

Posted by iankeller on 05/04/09 - 6:36 AM

Yes, but there are other brands and there are other brands. I'm wondering where Seaswirls fall in the category of non-Whalers.

Does anybody have any experience with a Seaswirl, perhaps before they upgraded to a Whaler?

Posted by kamie on 05/04/09 - 7:00 AM

They are non-whalers but if you want to ask questions about the boat check out their owners forum. http://seastriper.com/

Posted by In2Deep on 05/04/09 - 5:08 PM

I was in the same exact situation a year ago,I found a nice 18' seaswirl cc 200,for $7800,tons of options,but I wasent familiar with the company. I ended up picking up an 1983Outrage 18 for a little less mainly because of what the research turned up. I realized that the Whalers cost more, their reputation,build quality and design. Thats why they retain their value so well.To me its simply a smater investment and probably a better boat. I love my outrage. Good luck. Jerry

Posted by Barryg on 05/04/09 - 5:57 PM

I sold my Montauk and baught a brand new 22' Sea King bay boat. It had everything on it and it was a great boat. Notice I said was ,I could not stand not having a Whaler . I sold it and purchased a 20 year old boat. I want make that mistake again. I would not be satisfied with anything else. I am sure I am not alone. BG

Posted by MW on 05/05/09 - 3:13 AM

Some people like other boat packages because, they feel that they get more "Bang for the buck", they won't last as long as a "Whaler". I chose "Whaler" because, I knew of their reputation, and as a 1st time boat owner, I needed a boat that would "Take care of ME", not one that "I" had to take care of. My boat is 33 yrs old, I've owned it for 20 yrs., and now I have two "Whaler Kids" loving the boat as well.
1976 Sport 15'... The best decision I ever made in my life !

Posted by Whaler27 on 05/05/09 - 5:26 AM

A friend had a late 1990s Sea Swirl 18 walk around. The boat was a low tier construction through and through. Evidence of that could be found in the fact that one of his pedestal seats tore out of the deck after just a few years because it was simply lag bolted to the thin plywood wood deck, not bolted into a backing plate like it should have been. I'm not sure that it was even sealed with caulk so it got wet and failed. He got what he paid for.