whaler repower worth it?

[capecodder86]

I have a 17 ft. Boston Whaler newport, hill is a 1987 or 86..not sure..I want to repower because i dont trust the 90 hp johnson 2stroke carburated that is pushing me along..I like the tohatsu 90 2stroke dpli..what do you guys think..Is it even worth it to repower?

[ant1]

If you enjoy the boat,and it is in decent shape,then by all means repower it. If it's a POS ,well think about it.

[Mardi-Gras]

nope, I will give you a 100.00 for the rig, where do you live? I will by tomorrow to pick up

Just kidding, by all means repower the ol' gal and have fun with it for another 20 years

Do yourself a favor and research how much a new 17 whaler would cost you and then compare it to the cost of repower......Good luck

[jclaude]

A Whaler (86 or 87 model) in reasonably decent condition will easily outlive a new outboard. My Montauk is an '83 and I'm thinking about new power. Right now, the 90 model Johnson 90 just doesn't want to quit.

[pwelch]

I have a 1966 17 foot hull that I refinished and repowered with an Evinrude SPL 88 9 years ago. The Whaler doesn't see too much use since we moved up to the Pursuit, but it still performs like a new boat and I just can bring myself to let it go for what it would sell for. My only complaint with the SPL 88 is the fact that it is a gas hog and fuel storage on 17 footer is limited. I vote to repower, absolutely, but consider going with 4 stroke in the interest of fuel economy.

[dneal]

I repowered my 77 Newport in 2000 with a new yami F100. It has a 4 inch manual jack plate and I put the 28 gallon fuel tank under the console.
The boat works great,top speed is 42 mhp. and uses a lot less fuel than my 97 Montauk with a 97 johnson spl. 90 hp.

[DavidM]

I just re-powered my 1994 Pursuit 19' with a four stroke. My thinking was, I love the quality and ride of the boat, why try to find a whole new rig when the boat I have now is what I want? I have no regrets.

[Kid Stuff]

Are you kidding? Old Whalers never die....they just become more valuable. Check out some restored classics here http://continuouswave.com/whaler/

[Capt Flats]

I picked up a "vintage" 1985 Sea Squirt and repowered it with a new 40 hp Nissan (Tohatsu) 2 stroke. Now it's one of my best flats boats. Age doesn't mean anything to a well built fiberglas hull with "good bones", as long as it hasn't been run over a oyster bar or been in a highway trailer incident. The Tohatsu 90hp two stroker is AWESOME! You'll find it an affordable, dependable, fuel efficient, easy to rig and very powerful compared with other 90's.

[petert]

Capecodder86,

Absolutely, if you love the boat, put a new Engine on it.

Just be careful with the weight of the new Engine. Also, if it is a 4 stroke, don't expect it to get you on plane like your two stroke equivalent. I know you said 2 stroke, but I changed my mind at the last minute ... as you know we can sometimes be talked into something by buddies

I repowered a Whaler Dauntless with a 4 stroke in 2004 and it was NO fun. I adored the boat, but the inherent strength of a Whaler can also be a weekness. My boat was heavy and also not ready to accept weight on the back. Even though I was well under the published engine weight requirements, it did not perform well. We tried all the usual stuff (props, doelfins ...) ... just no fun.

I don't know your particular Model, so perhaps you may not have this issue.

[capecodder86]

yea so you guys like the tohatsu with the DPLI injection? i used to work at Edwards Boatyard in East Falmouth and they were gunna sell me a 03 left over E-tech 90 for cost, literally half the price. but id do a 4 stroke if it was like a 25 footer. those little whalers are no fun 4 stroke. wats a good asking price for a 90 tohatsu..just a ball park?

[capecodder86]

how bout those e-tecs?

[pcogs]

Is it worth it? Yes, without question!

I put a 2003 yamaha 2-stroke 90 on my 1971 17' whaler for the same exact reason.

It was like owning a new boat.

[capecodder86]

how much did that set you back, on the 71 hull?

[northport bay rat]

keep in mind that a new Montauk will set you back well over 20k.

[capecodder86]

yea i know I worked at nauset marine for a year or two. im not a fan of the mercs they put on em now.
How much would a repower cost if i got a 2 stroke 90 either injected or carburated?

[chris5201]

Our "new" 13' Whaler is an 86 which replaced a 1969. By no means is 1986 an old Whaler.

Personally, I would stick with 2-strokes. We had a 17' Newport and I thought it ran fine with a 70hp Johnson for what it's worth.