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We Have a 13 Whaler with 1985 35hp Mercury and I am thinking 4 stroke repower. The 40 Yamaha weighs about the same as the 2 stroke. Three or four 10 to 12yo kids using it for skiing. My dealer says 30hp would be plenty but I am skeptical about performance. Any recs would be greatly appreciated. I am new to the forum and thoroughly enjoy everyones input.
While the 40 E-TEC is a great motor, at 240 lbs its too heavy for the 13 Whaler. If I were repowering a 13 Whaler, I would opt for the 40 Yamaha 2-stroke at 180 lbs or so.
How old is your Whaler? I am always a fan of Yamaha 40s.....my old 13 with a Jackplate (1964 model with low transom planed with 6 in the boat...that is 6 big ol' texan men in the boat.....
My cousins had a 13 Sport with a 50 Merc 4-stroke EFI and that thing would flat out boogie! We clocked it on GPS one day in flat water in the ditch at 52 mph, chine walking the whole way! It had enormous power for tubing and kneeboarding (we never were into skiing) and could whip someone way outside the wake in a tube. The weight was never an issue either, the boat ran fine and sat well in the water. Overall weight of that motor is 248 lbs. It was by far the smoothest motor on any Whaler I've ever seen, looked mean back there too!
I suggest the Tohatsu TLDI 40. If only kids are gonna ski a 30 might do. We have a 1969 13 Whaler powered by a 15hp 2-stroke and it goes 25 mph WOT with 1 adult, 21mph with 2 adults!!!
Thanks for all the input guys. I thought about the Etec but 240lbs is a lot on the transom. If it were my personal boat that 50 Merc would be the ticket as I am a big fan of Chine-Walking the whaler! That said, i think the 40 yamaha at 182- 198 lbs depending on source seems to be the best choice. My kids will have power to pull, efficiency to ski all day, and no oil injection to overlook. I'll be able to check the oil for them.
My 1975 13' Whaler has an Evinrude E25BR. with two men, 14gal of gas and fishing equipment it goes at around*30mph, but it would be enough a few growth to brake the boat at not over 20mph.... I think the Yam 40 Jetol (bringing power to 60hp ) to be the best package for the little Whaler. It's so heavy, I think could support the power without problems..
Find the lightest 40 you can...I grew up on the same boat and 30 might be fine for one or two years but when the kids get bigger you're going to be glad you got a 40. We used ours up until we sold it about a year ago pulling 180lbers out of the water on wakeboards...takes a little but it can be done.
Those boats are great for teaching people to ski...so nimble...
there are a lot of 13's with Honda 40's in the harbor that I launch at. Must be something good with that setup.. I'd stay away from any pre-mixed 2-stroke, due to the nuissance of stored premix gas- it has a short shelf-life and cannot be dumped in the tank of your car during the off-season.
Ive got a 1977 13 with a 1994 40 Merc 4 cylinder, not a heavy motor considering it's 4 cylinders ( 177 lbs. I believe } & love the torque.
Very reliable as well.
Merc stopped making 4 cyl. 40's in 1996 but they had a long run, great reputation & very suitable for the BW 13
I had a merc. 40 four stroke on my 13 it was ok with one person. Put three or four people in it and it would just wallow. I tried different props but could not get it right. Sold the motor and replaced it with a 60hp big foot 2 stroke. The gear reduction and large prop gives it a awsome hole shot. three adults and one in tow not a problem. Jumps a new ski nautique buy a boat length and stays there. At least get a 40 two stroke. maybe a big foot for the added thrust. Rob
Waveguide,
not to be critical, heck this is America people could hang Verado's on thier 13 Whalers for all I care but I'd be leary of a 60 hp 2 stroke on the 13..
Unless it's a 60 thats more like 50 prop HP..
She must do 50
My buddy use to have a 15 with a 115 Evinrude, you wanna talk about a scary ride! Even with a 50 4-stroke, that ole 13 would get real squirly at WOT, bumping the GPS over 50 mph too!
My cousins had a 13 Sport with a 50 Merc 4-stroke EFI and that thing would flat out boogie! We clocked it on GPS one day in flat water in the ditch at 52 mph, chine walking the whole way! It had enormous power for tubing and kneeboarding (we never were into skiing) and could whip someone way outside the wake in a tube. The weight was never an issue either, the boat ran fine and sat well in the water. Overall weight of that motor is 248 lbs. It was by far the smoothest motor on any Whaler I've ever seen, looked mean back there too!
what color is the power head of that mercury? Gray?
13 Whaler Repower 
) to be the best package for the little Whaler. It's so heavy, I think could support the power without problems..
