Seeking advice on purchase of a Whaler

[Vbar]

Hi all. I'm new to this forum; it seems like a great place to get advice. I plan to buy my first boat, and, given their great reputation, I've settled on a Boston Whaler boat. I'm looking for something small, 15 to 17-feet, for fishing the rivers of the Chesapeake, maybe taking her out onto the bay on a calm day. I've recently come across a 2009 Montauk. It's a 15'5" hull, powered with a Yamaha 90. How will she handle in a two-foot' chop, if I decided to venture out of the rivers? Does anyone here own this model? I appreciate any and all advice.

Thanks,

Vince

[Jefecinco]

Should handle about as well as any other 15 footer in a 2 foot chop. A bit rough depending upon speed and the captain's skill.

[Vbar]

Thank you. Will a 17-foot Montauk boat provide a more stable rider?

What about when trolling?

I'm open to continuing my search.

[macfam]

The 150 Montauk (15'5") is 950 pounds dry, no engine or gear. That is the same weight as the 17 Montauk made in the 1980's and 1990's. It is also 3" wider than the older 17 Montauks. IMO, it is a very capable, smooth riding, and DRY 15' boat. I am constantly blown away with ours and how well it handles chop. As already mentioned, with the right speed, and piloting ability of the Captain.

Our 150 Montauk has it all over our 1964 17 Nauset by a country mile. Ride quality and dryness don't even compare.

The 90hp Yamaha on the 150 must perform well. Ours with the Mercury 60hp EFI Bigfoot is adequate for us.

[jimh]

Two-foot-high closely-spaced waves taken head-on at planing speed will give a rough ride in a 25-foot Outrage. You won't be serving tea to guests. Don't expect too much from ANY 15-foot boat.

The Whaler hulls will handle any sea state you can handle.

[jollyrog305]

15 or 17 will be fine for the rivers of the Chesapeake - as well as the main Bay - as with any boat in the bay, you just need to be aware of the conditions, etc. Was out this past weekend with a steady south wind in 2-3 footers and my Nauset (16.7')...no problems. Lots of Whalers in the Chesapeake....

[jimh]

I cannot believe that three-foot head seas could possibly be "no problem" in a NAUSET. You must be kidding. Three foot head seas will beat your brains out in any small outboard boat, even a 25-footer.

[jollyrog305]

Jim - apologize if my last post hinted at or gave the impression that I was throttle-down in two to three-foot seas, which wasn't the case, but the boat handled great in those conditions while chasing pods of fish from point A to B. Drifts were a bit rockier. There were a couple of times I thought my filling may come out, sure, but I don't consider it a problem as that is the ride I have come to expect from that boat in those conditions. Thanks. I should have been more specific.

[GoldenDaze]

I've had my 160 Dauntless out in as much as 4-foot chop on the Chesapeake, running bow-high just off plane straight into it. Jim summed it up well with "you won't be serving tea to guests." In fact on that trip I broke the internal plates on a battery from the pounding, though I was never concerned about our safety.

In several years of coordinating safety boats for the Potomac River Swim, I've seen how friends on a number of 170 Montauks and 150 Montauks have handled rough conditions. I'm actually really impressed with what the 150 hull can put up with, it's a lot of capability for it size. Any of the modern Whalers in the 15-17 foot range will handle conditions on the Chesapeake, assuming you're not stupid about when you go out... and assuming you're smart about when to head back home.

-Bob