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starting to think about bigger, more seaworthy boats than my Lund Alaskan 18'.
A new 21' Outrage with 175 Verado caught my eye. Took wife for a look and she gave the thumbs up. Are those boats worth the money or would I be better off with something else? Is the Verado the way to go or the Opti? how do they ride?
Not sure about the Verado, but I have a 23' BW outrage, year 2000. I love my boat. I have had a few and been a passenger or crew on more than a few boats in my past. The BW handles seas as well as any boat I have been on. It's not the softest ride out there, but she can take a beating. The finish is tough, although in some respects, like all other boats, there are some shortcomings. Overall, it's a pretty sweet boat. The whalers tend to hold their value quite nicely too, although in this market, I am not sure anything that measures its fuel intake in "gallons per hour" holds value too well.
Grady's are fine boats also. I prefer the look of the Outrage, but beyond that, both are quite comparable in quality. It comes down to price and personal preference.
Don't know much about Parkers as they're really not all that popular down south. I also don't know much about Scout, other than they are a relative new-comer when compared to GW and BW.
Both the Verado and the Opti are good reliable motors but different - it depends on what you like. The Verado is more like a powerful luxury car (smooth and quiet) and the opti is like a muscle car (fast and louder).... take a ride and decide....the verados due in 60 days or so will get an improvment in gas mileage than the current ones...
do a search here and a few websites you may want to check out:
Get the Whaler, you won't be dissapointed. I love my Whaler AND my Verado's. However do as GlenE says wait for the newer Verados to come out as the older models are a bit thirsty.I had a 240 Outrage before trading up to the 320 I loved the 240, but it was a bit too small for me. If the wife gave the thumbs up, GO FOR IT!!!!!
That new 21 Outrage needs more than the 175 Verado; ask around and you'll see. Also prices out to over $60,000 for a 21 foot boat. I like the 190 Outrage much better (I used to have one and regret selling it).
I currently have the Parker 2520 that you see in my signature picture, and it is for sale if you are interested. It is a great family boat, and fishing boat, but not a go fast boat.
That new 21 Outrage needs more than the 175 Verado;.
Most 21's I have seen have at least 200hp many have225's. But I have not seen any with a verado, weight issue?. like said above whalers hold theirt value very well. I have a 20ft outrage and love the boat, there are a few times in bad weather where I wish i had something bigger but doesn't everybody.
Good point about 175 not being enough muscle to push this boat through the water like you'd prefer, particularly when it gets snotty. Whalers are heavy in comparison to many other boats. Be wary of the fact that some dealers will underpower a boat to keep it more "affordable". Less HP = less $. However, it could also = unhappiness with your boat. Like the poster above suggested, I would suggest a minimum of 200, and preferably 225 HP. You will be much happier.
Came back down to Earth today and realized I cannot swing over 60 big ones on the Boston Whaler. Will probably have to "settle" for a Parker. Saw a "new" 2006 21' SE with Yamaha F150, T-top, leaning post and a ton of other options for 39 thou. Thats more in my range.
Thanks to everybody replying to my post.
I hate to say it, but that sounds really, really underpowered. I am always a fan of buying used boats (1 or 2 years old). There's always someone looking to get out who bought a boat and doesn't use it as much as he/she thought. I have gotten some incredible deals that way. Picked up a year 2000, 23' BW Outrage in 2001, with extremely little use for $35K with all electronics on it already. Took a long time, looked at a lot of boats and sea tried more than a couple before I found my boats, but in the end, I realized that the hunt was 1/2 the fun. You may want to try looking at some used boats to see if you don't have to "settle".
If in the market for a new whaler.... look for a two or 3 year old boat. I paid less then 40 for my 2 year old 240 outrage. You will get all the electronics and a good boat without the depreciation hit.
I love my 240 outrage, but if I were in the 21 foot range i would seriously look at the grady 222. A nice boat that rides well. The whaler is nice, but as was said above it is a small 21 footer and no 21 footer is worth 60k in my opinion.
boston whaler outrage 21' worth it? 
