Boston Whalers - The Hull Truth

jdouglas · 11-05-2002, 05:36 PM

I was down at the Fort Lauderdale boat show and looked at the new line of Boston Whalers. I have found several reviews and they said the 26 Outrage kinda sucked. I was out at the local dealer and they had a 22 Dauntless for a pretty good price (used) and I looked at the new Montauk. I want to use the boat for the typical florida expereince- ie. fishing, boating, diving etc. The girlfriend would enjoy a little comfort- thinks the Regulators etc. are a little bare. ANy thougts on any of the Whalers or other alternatives?

Frank007 · 11-05-2002, 07:41 PM

The 22 Dauntless would make a nice all-around Florida boat. Ok in shallow water and offshore on good days, stable, lots of room, front sunning platform, good storage. Did you like it?

Many center console and dual console boats in the 20-22' range would suit your purposes. Look at offerings from Grady, Whaler, Edgewater, Scout, Hydrasports, etc. A swim platform with ladder and transom door will make it easier to get on and off the boat when diving and swimming. The boats from the above manufacturers tend to be more family friendly than a pure fishing boat like Regulator or Contender.

Mumblerone · 11-05-2002, 08:02 PM

Can't beat a Whaler...I have a 24' CC with twin 175s, excellent boat. I have owned Whalers for 19 years now and have never been disappointed. Frank007 has the story...a lot of other good makes too. Stay with the high end boats. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] PS...the ladies like a head too!

finlanderrrr · 11-05-2002, 09:08 PM

I have a buddy with a Dauntless, he loves it! He fishes inshore mostly and has a family with kids. They ski, cruise, whatever. I personally would not be happy with its offshore capabilities. I own a similar sized boat with a deepvee which suits me better. The Duantless is a very versatile boat.

gb2052 · 11-06-2002, 04:40 AM

Must have read David Pascoe's (professional marine surveyor www.yachtsurvey.com )review on the Whaler Outrage 26.

"Now you know why I said earlier that it was a good thing the hull is filled with all that foam; this boat may have a dire need for it!"

"Even the much maligned Century, a price boat if there ever was one, was more intelligently designed than this."

whaler21 · 11-06-2002, 08:17 AM

jdouglas,ck Whaler Conquests 21ft to 29 ft they have cuddy cabin and porta potty and vbunks on 21 footer.The larger ones have more cabin creature comforts.Also ck www.continuouswave.com web site they have a photo section of many Whalers.I had a Dauntless before the Conquest I now own.I bought the Conquest for the cabin boats convience.Both boats have been a ten.

Outraged · 11-06-2002, 01:18 PM

The Navy Seals use them, Coast Gaurd, Fire&Rescue. No other hull is repowered more times than a Boston Whaler. The best ones were made in the late 80's!

Outraged [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

J.B. Cornwell · 11-06-2002, 04:20 PM

I agree with Outraged.

Before the end of the Dougherty designs Boston Whalers were in a class by themselves.

I would consider a mid-to-late 80s Outrage (with or without cuddy) to be a better boat than the new generation, even at nearly 20 years old.

Get rides in some, inspect the fit, finish and quality of materials.

Check the specs (weight, power rating, deck space) and consider what vehicles would be adequate to tow.

Now, compare all that to any new boat you care to.

Good luck.

Red sky at night. . .
JB [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Brett1 · 11-06-2002, 06:34 PM

I would be curious to know what ties Pascoe has with Pursuit.... Seems highly suspicious that his reviews consistently rate pursuit in the top tier. I made the decision to buy Whaler after looking at Pursuit extensively, guess its all in the eye of the beholder.

zh · 11-06-2002, 06:41 PM

Yeah jdouglass,Whalers are great boats but you probably know more about boats and what features are desirable than your girlfriend.If YOU liked the Regulator then consider it further.My wife absolutely hated the layout of Seavees and Contenders when I started looking at them.Very little seating,flush decks and a spartan appearance made her see these boats as "hard-core fishing boats".After the very first trip on our new Seavee she admitted that I knew what I was doing and she now loves this boat much more than our other "family friendly" boat.
Hope this helps.

Seacraft 23
Seavee 26

Stretch · 11-06-2002, 06:42 PM

"Highly suspicious" that Pascoe would rank Pursuit boats in the "top tier"? In my experience, just about everybody ranks Pursuit very highly so I don't see anything "suspicious" about it. Pursuit achieved their terrific reputation the hard way--they EARNED it by making thousands upon thousands of mighty fine boats over a lot of years.

Bamboozle · 11-06-2002, 06:58 PM

I was unimpressed with the design of the Boston Whalers. Check out this picture. The batteries, the fuel tank, the oils tanks and the pumps are right next to each other.

JDBer94 · 11-06-2002, 07:08 PM

From what a salesperson told me at the Ft. Lauderdale Show the newest 3 Whalers (21', 24 & 27' I think) are designed by a 20-year computer specialist. I actually like the new look! But, wonder if they would have been better going with someone who had some experience.

Mumblerone · 11-06-2002, 07:12 PM

Bamboozle...All together? Sounds like a plan. What's wrong with that; having all maintenance items in one place? [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif[/img]

Bamboozle · 11-06-2002, 07:21 PM

Mum,

1) I would not want my fuel tank that close to my batteries or bilge pumps. (I would not want any sparks)
2) The batteries are in the bilge (below water line)
3) the oil tanks are in the bilge (below water line)
4) the battery selectors are in the bilge
5) The bilge is very crowded

To me it is a very poor design. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]

Mumblerone · 11-06-2002, 07:30 PM

J. B. Cornwell...I have owned four Whalers in my life so far; a 1965 13', 1982 18', 1987 17', and currently own a 1996 24' Outrage. The quality of this Whaler is equal to the previous ones. I might agree with you, to be suspicious of the 'Brunswick' Whalers but the Whalers after Dougherty leaving, still have his influence. I just recently took a ride on the 18' 2002 Dauntless ($34,500.00 by the way) and it was very well built. I do agree that there is tremendous value in the older Whalers and are still great boats; probably better than many new boats. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Schmaltz~Herring · 11-06-2002, 08:16 PM

I looked at the whalers at the show, I currently have a 21' Ventura but desire something to overnite in and run over to the islands from lake worth in. The 255 Conquest [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] appears to be my personal solution after looking at all the fiberglass at the show, I'm back to the whalers.

Stretch · 11-06-2002, 08:35 PM

Traffic, if your boating plans include runs to the islands, then IMO that is all the more reason for you to hang twin engines on that Whaler 255.

whaler21 · 11-06-2002, 10:01 PM

Where else do you put a fuel tank,batteries or battery switches but in the bilge.My Whaler has two Whaler board battery boxes about six inches off bottom of boat.Oil tank sets on one battery box also.Battery switch is in bilge also.Trim tab pump is in bilge also about six inches off bottom of boat.I beleive the battery switch is explosion proof.Wireing from batteries goes to distribution box in bilge. All factory installed wireing well supported with wire clamps some in bilge some along gunnel underside.

gb2052 · 11-07-2002, 04:19 AM

"Where else do you put the batteries and battery switch but in the bilge?"

Well how about 2 seperate compartments for the batteries, one on each side of the transom, as high up as possable away from the bilge and 2ft above the waterline. The switch and wiring are in these compartments. The batteries are about 5ft away from each other and about 5ft and 2 bulkheads away from the fuel tank.

The only electrical components down in the bilge are the bilge pumps and baitwell/washdown pump.

That's the layout on my boat.

[This message was edited by gb2052 on 11-07-02 at 06:35 PM.]