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Hello ALL

Future (1st boat)owner here looking for a little help. I have been doing a lot of reading on the different Whaler models and was looking to get some thoughts from current owners. I am looking for a Whaler that I can cruise around on comfortably in the bays and such in southern and northern california. I want something bigger than a 13. I was leaning towards a 15' but have been reading they have stability issues. I have recently fallen in love with the Katama and Newport, both being very similar. I must say my heart is more with the older boats but have not been out on any Whaler. I will be using it for fishing and cruising. I want to stay away from anything bigger than 17' as I do not have room to store that size boat. It would be great to hear from some owners of the 15', Katama and Newports to see what they think. I have read a little about a few Newport owners and they really seem to love them. I do love the look of the older blue/white Katamas. So enough rambling please chime in if you have any suggestions! I look forward to hearing many knowledgeable responses. This is an excellent site.

Also if there is anyone in southern or norhtern cali that has any of the mentioned boats I could possible check out, please get in touch with me. I hate being a tire kicker to someone on craigslist when I dont really know what I want yet. :)


Happy Boating!
caleb

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I had a 15. It was a great boat for riding around. It was like driving a sports car on the water.
I also fished two of us quite well on a trip to fla. I currently have a 17 edgewater and hope to be finished with my 19 whaler come spring. I like the room the bigger boats offer.

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caleb,
welcome to WC. The Nauset, Newport,katama and Eastport are all the same hull. What is different is the interior and if you stand or sit to drive. In general, standing to drive makes for a more comfortable ride and is really where the 13/15 and the 17+ models make the split. If you can swing it, go for the 16/17 foot as it's that much more boat. Some questions to ask
1. how many people will go out with you typically? If you go out by yourself all the time or maybe with one other person, then a 13 is fine, if you want to carry 3 or 4, then sometimes and 18 is too small. In my experience, 1/2 the rated # of persons is about all the is comfortable for more than a short cruse.

2. In the bays you want to cruse around in, what are typical waves and wind conditions? slogging home in 3+ waves in a 13 is no fun and can be risky. In a 17 it's no fun either, but your in a bigger boat, bigger freeboard, makes for a safer more comfortable (totally relative) ride.

3. how much can you afford / tow / store? Always get the biggest boat you can handle. It will save you from trying to trade up in a year, when you outgrow the lakes and bays.

Good Luck

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Welcome to the group..you'll find a wealth of knowledge here and many members more than willing to help you. As far as which boat is the best, you have to determine which is best for you. I have a 15 and couldn't be happier. It is large enough for me to go pretty much where I want to go with passengers and small enough for me to handle and store by myself. Just take your time and don't jump on the first one that comes along unless it is exactly what you want.

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Thanks for the great responses! Yes I am reading more and more that you want to get the biggest you can afford and handle. Thats why I am leaning towards the Katama or newport. I see that they share the same hull but what are the interior differences in dimensions. The Newport has larger gunwales and storage in the sides, does this decrease the interior "floor" space as the Katama does not have this? Again I am really interested in the two and if anyone has one or knows someone with one of these models, it would be great to be able to check them out. Like I said I have never been on a Whaler and dont really know what I will think of either of these models in person. I just really love the classic look to the Katama with the canvas windscreen and the blue interior. Yummy! Anyway thanks again for the help and let me know what you think.

Caleb

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If your going to choose between those two hulls, you actually have the older 16/17 hull in the katama and the new smirked hull in the Newport hence the difference in interior color.

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Welcome to the site. To offer some of my experience, I bought my first whaler in Jan 2007, a Montauk. I didn't take my time looking and jumped at the first boat (big mistake). I overpaid for the boat and found out later on, it was not what I had expected. I loved the Montauk but found out here in NY, when it got rough, 2-4 ft swells, the boat rode very hard. I sold the Montauk and got an Outrage 18 and I am much happier. I know you are looking for a smaller boat, but the best advise i can offer is, sea trial the boat prior to purchase. If possible, take it out when it is a little rough so you can see how the boat handles at it's worst. It might be nice when you go out, but the weather can turn for the worse........... quickly.

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Oh i didnt realize the hulls were different on the two. Ill have to look at some pics again. Is the smirked hull a better design being newer? I would love to sea trial one of these boats but dont know anyone that has one I can even look at. If you do please let me know.

Caleb

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This is your first boat. I say concentrate on finding the nicest Whaler within your price range, regardless of the specific model. If you do that you're just about guaranteed a s***-eating grin every time you go out. And that way, you get to learn how to handle your boat on the water instead of how to work on it in the shop. Doesn't matter which model you buy.