Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by gorka on 01/05/07 - 2:39 AM

Hi guys,

I am surprised, in USA you can find anything you imagine! Well, I write from Basque Country, Northern Spain and I have a couple of questions for you.

I have a chance to buy a 1975 Sakonnet 16 with a 70 hp 2 stroke Evinrude outboard. The price is about 6000 euros, (about $7800 US dollars.)

What do you think about this hull? How long is its life? I mean, I know this is maybe the best fabricated hull in the world, but 31 years is a long time. I would use it for spearfishing in the open Atlantic, sea is not very easy here sometimes.

The other question is the price. I have no idea about that, what I know is that if I change the outboard next year, that will be other 6000 euros for a 60 or 70 hp four stroke and for 13000 euros I could buy a new hull f.e. Jeanneau 5.15 with a 60 hp 4 storke.

I hope you have answers for me, thanks very much and best regards from Basque Country.

This is the photo of the boat

Edited by Tom W Clark on 01/05/07 - 4:52 PM

Posted by blacklab on 01/05/07 - 6:17 AM

Gorka,

Welcome to the forum. In my opinion this is a bit too much money for that boat. I believe in the USA these can be had for about $ 4500.00 or about 3500 Euro. The thing that may make it worth more is the general availability of these fine Whalers in your area, much the same as there is a price difference between the east coast and the west coasts of the U.S. As far as the age goes, I have a 1972 Cohasset which I believe is as good as or even better than the Whalers made today. As always, you would need to perform your due diligence in checking out the condition of the hull and motor. In addition, if you were going to be in open seas on a rough day, I'm sure your would prefer the ride of an Outrage 18. You could always make an offer and stand firm. Another Whaler will come along at a price better suited to your needs.

Best of luck in your search and let us know what happens.

Matthew

Posted by Tom W Clark on 01/05/07 - 4:55 PM

A 31 year old Whaler is necessarily any worse for wear and tear than a new boat. It depends on how the boat has been taken care. You have to examine it closely and look for signs of damage, especially on the bottom where water intrusion could occur. If you have the opportunity to weigh the boat you may be able to figure if it is waterlogged or not.

In the US that would be a somewhat high price unless it was in very good condition. However, European Whaler prices are generally higher because of scarcity so it may not be unreasonable.

Edited by Tom W Clark on 01/05/07 - 4:57 PM

Posted by danedg on 01/16/07 - 3:52 PM

Hello Gorka
What did you find out about the Sakonnet, and your other choice???
How's the trailer?
Sakonnet's are rare BECAUSE of the woodwork...if yours is SWEET...maybe 6...
but your gonna want a new motor...sooner than later....
However! Please refer to the 1970 Catalog regarding these boats...

16 Nauset 1961-1973
One of the earliest models available in the 16-foot hull, the Nauset (pronounced "NAW-sit") featured an elaborate mahogany center console. The 1970 Whaler catalog described it this way:

"It is on the three models of this series [Nauset, Eastport, Sakonnet] and their hybridized variations that the reputation of large Boston Whalers for total excellence has largely been built. They can negotiate in safety and reasonable comfort the wildest waters ever used for pleasure boating; yet they are adaptable to more casual types of water sport in a degree equalled by few and exceeded by none. Easy for one man to haul and launch with a trailer, they open to their owners all waterways in the country from spruce-fringed crystal lakes in the North to shallow, bone fish flats and ocean reefs in the Florida Keys-- from Massachusetts bluefish grounds in the rip tides off Martha's Vineyear to the salmon fishery and cruising paradise of the far Northwest; and besides all this they are constructed with a solid uncompromising quality normally expected only on custom-built yachts."

My '63 Nauset, and Chris G's 63' Eastport ( see Two 63's ) on Personal pages,
have been solid and steady for 44 years now...these are great boats....
If it's sweet...it should be a keeper........

Posted by breizh on 01/16/07 - 4:09 PM

Hello Gorka,

Well, I also writing from Basque Country, south of FRANCE (BAYONNE) and I can tell you that:
I have a Boston Whaler from 1966, I believe it is a NAUSET or a SAKONNET
(the number of the hull is 3DD92), but it is perfect state, because it is always out of sea, each time I am going sailing each time is on the trailer....i believe it is the best thing to do if you want to keep it well. It is just my opinion.

A french expert valued mine 17' about 15100 €, with all: boat+2 motors + trailer, top...
there is only one problem: when the weather is not fine like last week-end 01/13/07, with many big waves you must take care and not going too fast.

It is not for the hull, because it is very very good quality, but with the wind the boat can easily "fly"; I can tell you that because I was sailing between BAYONNE and BIARRITZ last Saturday!

That's why I sell it, as blacklab told you when you often go on a rough sea, I'm sure your would prefer the ride of an Outrage 18. I don't know if i will find it , perhaps i will choose only an Outrage 17'. But take care: the fuel cost is not the same! with my 90HP TOHATSU from 1999 on my 17' Boston, when I am alone, I used about 1 gallon/hour (4.75 liters/hour)!It is a very economic boat.

You can see some photos of my boat, there is only the console which is not Boston Whaler because I want place for fishing and the Boston Whaler console is too big for me, so I change it with a less narrow.

http://img295.imageshack.us/my.php?im...668gd0.jpg
http://img295.imageshack.us/my.php?im...675ey9.jpg
http://img295.imageshack.us/my.php?im...682wt3.jpg
http://img295.imageshack.us/my.php?im...687wf2.jpg

Edited by Tom W Clark on 01/16/07 - 5:27 PM