Boston Whaler 11' or 13' question

Themis Sal · 03-08-2007, 08:34 AM

I want to legally have my 13 year old son drive a small power boat. New Jersey regulations permit a 13 year old to captain a power boat solo if he takes a boating safety course, and the power boat is 12 feet or more with a maximum of 10 horsepower.
I am considering two options:

1) 13' classic Whaler with a 9.9hp fourstroke (I'd have to find a good hull, and then would buy a new motor, as you don't see these used with only 9.9hp).

2) New 11' Whaler tender with oar locks, and again buy a 9.9hp motor and rig. The 11' tender is 11 1/2 feet, so there is risk here regarding being legal.

I know the 9.9 would be enough horsepower for the new 11' tender. But would a 9.9hp be able to plane two young teens, weighing 280lbs-300lbs in a classic 13' Whaler? Usage would solely be in Barnegat Bay.

Dsaltydog · 03-08-2007, 08:45 AM

No. I had a 13 with a 9.9 at that age, and it was a dog. We ended up with a 15, and it was better, but the real minimum was a 35, as they as we all will want to move. By 15 I had a 50 and that was fantastic.

cobraarvey · 03-08-2007, 09:18 AM

Sal, I would have to agree with previous post. Our 15' Whaler would not even be able to get out of it's own way with a 9.9 mounted on the back. I don't think the 11 or 13 will plane with that motor either. I had our 15 repowered with a 40Merc three years ago so that it was just "fast enough". Not overpowered, but able to plane with three teens, (over 16 with the N.J. license), for water skiing/wakeboarding.

I don't think it is to the letter of the law, but for the last several years I have my now 15 year old operate the Whaler and the Southport with me at his side. Best way to teach him the rules of the road and how to safely operate a boat. I also make it a point to take out the Whaler with him as much as possible. Might not be the same as being on your own, but it allows him to get the feel for operating a boat at a higher speed than he would be able to with a 9.9HP. So far, the Marine Police or Coast Guard we have passed have not stopped us.

sraab928 · 03-08-2007, 09:52 AM

I did a search over at Contwave for you - The results were the boat would run around 16-18 mph with a 9.9 - Serveral people said they had that power and the boat "scooted" along just fine with 2 aboard. - They also said that min hp was 9.5.

Hope this helps.

DonQ · 03-08-2007, 09:56 AM

I had an 11 that ran fine with a 20. The 13 will also work with a 20, and it really is a lot more boat than the 11. I think you'll be happier with the 13.

MONSTAWHALA · 03-08-2007, 10:08 AM

Sal-
I would look for a used 13 with the appropriate power, like a 30-40hp, a 9hp is dangerously underpowered (regardless of what some on CW say).....Put a throttle limiter (or governor) on the bigger engine, so that you can get the most out of the boat while ensuring safety.

Having the boat with more power will allow your boy to grow into the boat and be able to use it for many years as they become more and more responsible, you may find after a couple of years that they wont use the boat because it is so underpowered and slow. Also The resale on a 13 with a 9-15hp will be horrible, as compared to the correct sized motor.

The lowest hp motor that I think you can get away with for planing, safety and resale would be a 20-25hp .

As you know the 13 Whaler is a great starter boat, and I think its awesome that you are going to do this for your son, its even better that you are doing it combined with a safety course and consideration for engine size!!

nas130 · 03-08-2007, 10:14 AM

Cant you get a 15 hp and put a 9.9 cowling on it?

I thought that some of the lakes fisherman did this to skirt the regulations on fed, national and state parks.

nas

Themis Sal · 03-08-2007, 10:15 AM

Thanks everyone. I have had my son last year (12 years old) operate the Parker with me next to him, but not dock it. Regardless, he will be a curtailed, safety minded young captain, with handcuffs on; its just that the letter of the law says the boat has to be greater than 12 feet and have a 9.9 on it. So basically he can marginally scoot around, and not even plane, if I go 9.9. I could go 15hp on the 11 tender, and just change the decals. But that has me thinking as well if its the right thing to do.

MONSTAWHALA · 03-08-2007, 10:41 AM

Ooops My bad...I missed that the MAXIMUM can only be a 10hp.

MrEd · 03-08-2007, 10:58 AM

A 13' with a 9.9 ought to be fine for a youth/teen/ beginner. First he needs to know what the law says and how to abide by it. Bad lesson for him for you to put 9.9 decals on a 15. How could an underpowered unsinkable 13 foot Whaler be un-safe ? One of the first lessons he will learn is "How not to get run over by morons". Same lesson for all of us whether a 9.9 HP or 900HP. Main thing is to have him boating and having fun and teaching him responsibility all at the same time without him really even realizing it.

Themis Sal · 03-08-2007, 11:06 AM

Thanks for the responses everyone.

NJ208 · 03-08-2007, 11:18 AM

Sal read this thread.

Asked the same question a different way a while back

http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/t...sts=18#M115516

Themis Sal · 03-08-2007, 11:25 AM

NJ208, perfect thread. Thanks. What did you do? IM tring to decide between the new 11' or a classic 13'.

wmalloy382 · 03-08-2007, 11:27 AM

My old man had 13 with an old evinrude 9.9 for years as a tender. It popped right up on a plane (60's hull) with two people. But with three, no way. but It was still fun.

I already have my kids 13 whaler in the backyard. (he's 4 now)

I had the same boat with a 40 when I was 13, then a 50 on it when I was 15. I never wanted anything different. Eventually I ended up in a 17 Whaler with a 115 when we got too big. That was the first boat I bought myself. It was $1800 in 1986 for a 1969 hull with a 1980's merc. LOL (also a great Boat)

At least in CT when my kid turns 13 I can put a 25 hp engine on the boat until I am convinced that he can handle more. At least with the 25 hp I can take him and his sister tubing or fishing and not troll the whole way.

PS. Jersey sucks. CT has the same BS laws but at least when the kid turns 13 you can get him the boat that YOU think is appropriate.

ccr3 · 03-08-2007, 11:37 AM

One of my good friends still has his BW13 that he had when we were kids. Its a mid-80s. He still has the same 25hp. We laughed the other day because we can remember actually skiing behind that boat! Several small "frames" and pounds ago! He will love it.