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I talked to my dad today, and he told me some news about the boat. My impulsive nature automatically took it as bad news, but now I see it as good news.
My dad says, that we will get the boat March 1st at the latest, but no earlier than February 20th or so. He also told me that INSTEAD OF THE ORIGINAL $3,000 MAX, I CAN LOOK INTO A BOAT $7000 OR SO.
Is this worth it, waiting for another month and a half?
Or, should I be looking at an older boat and using the extra cash for something bigger, like a 15' BW or even a 17'??
Remember, I'm a 14 yr old kid that wants to take this boat out to Narragansett bay, speed around, and do TONS OF FISHING off of it, for stripers blues and fluke. Fishing with my friend Mike, another kid my age, so that's 2 people fishing on a 13' Boston w/ 25HP merc outboard....with tackle bags and combos, livewell, cooler and bag with safety stuff in it. Is this manageable, will I be able to stand and sit fishing on it? Also, I expect it to handle some chop, not huge swells but some bay chop...even if that means getting a little wet.
Guys, you posts really helped me earlier....please continue helping me on my search for a boat!
Thanks everyone!
About the 13' Boston Whaler link I posted above, heres one of the pics of that boat....
I think you need something older and bigger. The Whaler 17 would be an excellent choice, but I think you need to go to 1990 and earlier to get within your budget. If you decide to go this route, check out the Classic Whaler Forum at http://continuouswave.com/cgi-bin/Ul...i?action=intro.
The 13' Whaler your looking was a special package for I believe $8995.00 NEW. $7200.00 isn't a steal. I would agree that a 17' Montauk would be ideal for what you're trying to accomplish. $7200. is a good price to pay, also. http://www.whalerforum.com/ and http://www.continuouswave.com/ I agree, great sites. Most people with Whalers tend to take care of them very well...kind of a cult boat. The safety is legendary. If you come across a 15' Outrage that's OK too, but might be more. Your dad's a smart guy, moving the price up and you can't beat a Whaler when, if ever, you sell it. Keep us posted.
"Never enough time to do it right; ALWAYS enough time to do it over." Boston Whaler, "MUMBLER", 24' Outrage (1996), twin 175 HP Evinrude Ocean Pros.
I had the original 13 Boston Whaler (a 1967) with a 40 hp Evenrude when I was your age. I did eveything with it including putting the gas tank and battery on the back seat and running out the inlets into the ocean as I took water over the front.
That being said this boat is to small to do what you want. I lived but if I ever catch my son doing that I would kill kim. You need more boat, 17 foot would be the minimun to consider. Whalers are great boats but I also owned an off brand (17 ft Sunbird) and did great with that 11 years before buying my current boat. Good luck
The Whaler 13 is too small for you boys. I'd look for a used boat that is in good running order. When it is too windy to fish, you and your friends can put some work into her and make her first class. A Whaler would be what I'd want my son to be in because of their unsinkable nature, but they are hard to come by for less than $7000. Here are some very good options...
Aquasport 17 - very very good choice. Find one with a Yamaha 90 and you can fish for days on 30 gallons!
Welcraft 18 - a friend of mine traded in his Aquasport 17 for one of these and we used the heck out of it. It rode almost as good as my Mako 21!
Mako 17 - excellent choice too.
Look for any of these boats in the 1988 - 1990s range and you will be safe and have space to fish and take your girlfriends water skiing!
Take the time while you are waiting for your boat to take a boating safey course. Buy a copy of Chapman's Piloting and study it. Nothing will help you more as a boater. Enjoy!
My son is also 14 and here is what we are doing to get him into a boat.
We got a 14' Mckee project boat that we are refurbishing over the winter. It is a 1983 hull that had been neglected and abused that we picked up for nothing.
So far we have stripped the boat, flipped it over, patched and sanded the hull and given it a couple coats of gelcoat. I've sold the old engines for parts and plan to install a new or leftover motor and controls by spring break.
With a $7000 budget, it might be something you and your father might want to tackle. There are a lot of boats out there in serious need of some TLC. I'd reccomend finding an older 15' Whaler CC in okay shape with no engine. Put some sweat equity into the hull and repower with a new or leftover motor. With a little luck, you might be able to get a decent price for it when you are ready to move up. With what you learn, you would be able to save bigger bucks on bigger boats.
Hey guys, thanks for your help.
I looked up at www.boats-4-sale.com
a 1989 Boston Whaler Newport 17' with 90HP outboard...and trailer...it looks excellent condition...
Is this a good deal?
Heres a pic:
Is the Boston Whaler Newport a good fishing boat in saltwater? It looks like it's open enough....
Thanks!
When I was a teenager,(and I did not understand danger), I put a 15 hp Evenrude on a 6' skimmer. I placed the 6 gallon fuel tank in the very front of the boat. In order to pick up speed, I had to crack the throttle very slowly in order to keep the boat from sinking in the rear. I ran that boat across Port Jefferson / Strongs Neck Bay in Long Island at WOT. I don't know how fast I was going, but I passed an anchored cabin cruiser in the bay, and the owner nearly twisted his head off his body trying to follow me. Would I do that today? ----NO! Would I let a family member of mine do that? ---NO! -----Was it "fun"? -----YES, YES, YES! ---Just my opinion. -----Greg
I had a 17" 4' Mckee strong and unsinkable.
you can pick one up for the price of a smaller whaler.
May ride a little rougher but at 14 your not going to care.
[This message was edited by Dcace on 01-26-03 at 01:16 PM.]
You should ask your question about the Newport on the Whaler Forum. It strikes me that is an ok but not great price assuming it is in good condition, but the guys there will have a more informed opinion as they live and breathe Whalers.
The above advice to consider a Mako 17 in addition to the Whaler was a good one.
OK, I found myself a 15' Sport, but it's 1976! Is that too old, will it like fall apart on me?
It comes with a 60HP Mercury and a trailer, totals $5500. Sound good? Or to old? I wish I could find an 85 15' sport but there arent any I see....
HELP! Good or bad news? 
"Never enough time to do it right; ALWAYS enough time to do it over." Boston Whaler, "MUMBLER", 24' Outrage (1996), twin 175 HP Evinrude Ocean Pros. 
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