CONTINUOUSWAVE

Q1: what is the purpose of the holes in the gunwales of my Boston Whaler 13-footer as seen below?


Fig. 1. Holes on each gunwale about three feet from the bow of a 13-foot hull.

In July 2022 I bought my first boat, a Boston Whaler 13-footer. I’m trying to become more familiar with my boat. The gunwale holes don’t look like they were drilled by a previous owner. They look like they’re molded into the hull. I can’t see where they go.

Q2: should I cover up the holes in the gunwale so water doesn’t saturate the foam.

Those holes on either side are meant for oarlocks. You can sit on the anchor locker and row an older 13-footer with oars. I’ve done it several times—over 60 years ago.

Good to know. I hope I never find myself needing to row very far.

Your photo shows holes in the gunwales where oar locks could be positioned, but I don't see any evidence of the bronze oar lock socket which I would expect to see. I don't know if the hole should be sealed against water intrusion.

Tom Hemphill wrote:Your photo shows holes in the gunwales where oar locks could be positioned, but I don't see any evidence of the bronze oar lock socket...

I was thinking the same thought: I was anticipating that the oarlock hole would be filled with a metal oarlock socket. Below is a photograph of a restored 1971 13-footer that was originally shown in CETACEA Page 57. On the gunwales of this 13-footer you can clearly see that there were metal inserts for the oarlocks


Fig. 2. A restored 1971 13-footer which appears to have metal oarlock sockets inserted in the hull. The oarlock socket appears to be flush to the gunwale level, suggesting a relief must have been made into the original gunwale surface.

However, I cannot offer any really valid opinion if or when a metal oarlock socket was used. Dick Fisher was something of a pragmatist, so perhaps he figured you really did not need a metal socket.

If anyone is more familiar with the oarlocks on really early 13-footers, please comment.

ASIDE: I once had occasion to row a 13-footer back to the dock from a mile or two away. I was very happy the boat could easily be rowed, and there were oars aboard.