Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by MushCreek on 06/11/09 - 2:26 PM

I'm close to buying an '86 13', and although the hull looks good, the engine and controls, as well as the wood, are probably shot. Since time and money are always short, I'm thinking about using it as a tiller boat until I have the wherewithal to finish the interior and get a decent sized engine. That being said, I collect antique outboards, and have a very nice '57 10 hp Johnson that I could use right away. Does anyone have experience with a motor that small on a 13 BW? Will it plane it off with a light load? Obviously, I can putt around with almost anything; I'm just wondering what to expect. Many years ago, I spent the summer driving around in a 13 with an 18 hp, and it went pretty good, even with a bunch of kids on board.

Posted by willeme91 on 06/11/09 - 4:24 PM

check out my page, i have a 13 with a 15 hp and its great!
on my own i get 25 mph! and with a light load and 2 persons i get 21 mph.
i think the 10 is fine. i used to have a 4hp on my 13 and it would plane with only me on board!
good luck and have fun!

Posted by ioptfm on 06/11/09 - 5:42 PM

A lot depends on what type of water you will be running on. If you are in an area with swift currents and open waters that tend to get rough at times I would think that you will need at least a 20hp motor and a 25 would be much better. It's very nice to have the extra HP and speed in the event you need it in a pinch. Just my opinion :P

Posted by uncledeck on 06/11/09 - 10:40 PM

The older 13 specs show 9hp minimum tp plane. With a light load you should e fine with your 10hp. I would take out your existing wood and throw an ice chest in to sit on since you will want to sit further aft to run the tiller.

I think the only prolem you will have is you will get spoiled to all of the room you end up with without the console and seats in the way.

I set mine up for tiller by making seat rails longer to the aft so the thwart crosses just in front of the aft bulkhead. I have the thwart on top of the rails for comfort which also provides space to throw 6 gallons of gas and some gear. I rope start so no battery weight or space. I have a forward thwart in the normal position, but with no console and the aft thwart all the way back I have tons of space compared to my buddy's Sport which seems cramped in comparison.

Put the 10 on her and have fun

Posted by MushCreek on 06/12/09 - 2:34 AM

I'll be boating on shallow backwater areas in FL, so fighting seas and currents is not an issue. It might make a nice fly fishing rig with all of the clutter out of the way.

Posted by chrepp on 06/12/09 - 5:50 AM

I couldn't get my '68 on plane with about 500-600lbs aboard(2 200lb people+battery+minnkota+etc) with a 10hp Honda. It might have gotten on plane with 3-400lbs. I'm not sure.