Early Progress on my 15 Sport Restoration

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
Deewazz
Posts: 23
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:22 pm

Finally found my Whaler

Postby Deewazz » Tue Jun 07, 2016 8:49 am

Well, fellas, I’ve been away for a couple years – and whaler-less. My search has ended today, and I FINALLY found my ideal Whaler. It’s a 1978 15 Whaler Sport. It’s almost a “barn find” … Two owners, no modifications to hull or interior, no holes, no scrapes, no spider cracks or hull damage at all, no painting, all original wiring intact and working. Even has the original rear light brackets, albeit no original light. The seating is the optional (l believe) wraparound style. The mahogany – of course - needs a complete refinishing, but is intact otherwise. The boat is really dirty inside from long storage, but will clean up like new. The trailer is barely salvageable, but since I just moved to Golden Lake, in Summit, WI and have access, the trailer will be used twice a year. No motor – for which I am happy, since I want to make the choice. The very best thing about this is that I paid only $1,200 for it. I’ve had 8 Whalers in my life, and 5 were used ones and this one is in the best shape I’ve ever come across.
It’s good to be back in Whaler Town, and I will keep reporting on my restoration progress as it goes along… Pictures included…
Attachments
15 Sport copy.jpg
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jackjax
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun Dec 06, 2015 6:49 pm
Location: Houston, TX

Re: Finally found my Whaler

Postby jackjax » Tue Jun 07, 2016 9:52 am

Great find. I wish I did the same, just find a boat with no motor.
Jude
1997 BW Dauntless 17 115hp Merc

Tom C
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2015 12:41 pm

Re: Finally found my Whaler

Postby Tom C » Tue Jun 07, 2016 6:50 pm

Congratulations, Join the 15ft. owners club. I found my 1988 SS in much rougher shape in 2013. Paid $2250 but it included trailer and 60 HP motor. All 1988. Now several $$$ later I have a great boat, motor & trailer all 1988. You will enjoy making the boat your own. Let us know what motor you choose.

Maverick
Posts: 121
Joined: Thu Nov 26, 2015 7:18 am
Location: Padre Island, Texas

Re: Finally found my Whaler

Postby Maverick » Tue Jun 07, 2016 7:33 pm

Congrats!!! The 15 is outstanding!!! Large or small whalers...the 15 is the best of both worlds.

Best Regards! Mav

Deewazz
Posts: 23
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:22 pm

Re: Finally found my Whaler

Postby Deewazz » Thu Jun 09, 2016 10:18 am

I do have a question: this is a 1978 boat. Is it a Sport or Super Sport?

Oldslowandugly
Posts: 718
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2016 11:19 pm
Location: Queens NY

Re: Finally found my Whaler

Postby Oldslowandugly » Thu Jun 09, 2016 8:03 pm

What a deal! 15's are really hard to find in good condition. Enjoy!

Tedt
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2015 1:51 pm

Re: Finally found my Whaler

Postby Tedt » Fri Jun 10, 2016 2:17 pm

Have been enjoying my 15' sport (converted to CC). The 2-stroke Yamaha 60 pushes it just fine and no mosquitoes - can't say that for a 4-stroke. Tend to take it out on the lake more than my 19' Chaparral - it's just fun. Ready for the summer.

Great barn find good luck re-powering, love to see pictures of the progress to get some new ideas.

Ted

Deewazz
Posts: 23
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:22 pm

Early Progress on my 15 Sport Restoration

Postby Deewazz » Tue Jun 28, 2016 10:55 am

Here are a couple photos showing the progress on the Sport 15 [with seat back option]. The seats have been coarse sanded to remove the old finish. An example of the condition in which I bought the boat shows the console in original shape. I can't understand why some folks let their boat deteriorate like this.. It will shine like new when I'm done.

DSC00298.JPG
Seats sanded
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DSC00300.JPG
Wood original Condition
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Oldslowandugly
Posts: 718
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2016 11:19 pm
Location: Queens NY

Re: Early Progress on my 15 Sport Restoration

Postby Oldslowandugly » Tue Jun 28, 2016 4:39 pm

That boat looks like a great project. The wood may be weathered, but at least it is sound. On my 15 footer, the fiberglass console was smashed to pieces. All that was left was a small section that the steering head was bolted to. I love the look of varnished mahogany. I know that boat will be a beauty for sure.

Deewazz
Posts: 23
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:22 pm

Re: Early Progress on my 15 Sport Restoration

Postby Deewazz » Wed Jun 29, 2016 11:37 am

Thanks for the encouragement. It sounds like yours was a real challenge. One unusual thing: the sanded seats seem to be of two different hues - but both are original. One is purple-ish, and the other looks more like raw wood. I may have to sand a bit more. Finally located a set of controls, but have to wait a week to pick them up. The dealer price new was $300 to $400 for controls and cables. I found a like-new set for $150 for the whole set-up. Guess it pays to do a little hunting. Craigslist came through for me.

Deewazz
Posts: 23
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:22 pm

Maiden Voyage/ Shakedown

Postby Deewazz » Sun Jul 17, 2016 11:01 am

Update on my Sport 15: Splashed her yesterday, having finished all the woodwork, and installed the controls and had all the carbs rebuilt and adjusted. Forgot the GPS, but with the 40 4-stroke and 10 x 14 pitch prop, she is plenty fast enough for me. Best estimate 28 to 35 mph with 2 adults aboard. Now, the grueling part: I have to completely buff the hull inside and out. Maybe it's a good winter project.
Attachments
boat2 001 small.jpg
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jimh
Posts: 11674
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
Contact:

Re: Early Progress on my 15 Sport Restoration

Postby jimh » Sun Jul 17, 2016 12:42 pm

I have merged three threads spread across two different forums which were all discussing this same boat and its restoration. Please use this thread for future updates and comments about the restoration of this boat. --jimh

jimh
Posts: 11674
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
Contact:

Re: Early Progress on my 15 Sport Restoration

Postby jimh » Sun Jul 17, 2016 3:19 pm

You probably will add some sort of Bimini top or sun top. I did that with my 1976 SPORT 15:

Image

You may find my article describing how I installed the top and its frame to be useful. The sloping gunwales of the SPORT 15 require use of special hinge fittings. See

Adding A Bimini Top
http://continuouswave.com/maintenance-logs/bimini/

Oldslowandugly
Posts: 718
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2016 11:19 pm
Location: Queens NY

Re: Early Progress on my 15 Sport Restoration

Postby Oldslowandugly » Sun Jul 17, 2016 7:24 pm

Man, that's a real head turner. It turned out beautiful. I wanted to mention that with mahogany, unless it came from the same tree, the colors will not match. It can be close, or way off. But yours looks great.

Deewazz
Posts: 23
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:22 pm

Re: Early Progress on my 15 Sport Restoration

Postby Deewazz » Mon Jul 18, 2016 12:23 pm

Thanks for the compliments. I guess I'm too fussy. That hatch color is way off by my standards. I'm going to get some mahogany boards from my supplier, and fabricate a new hatch cover with a better color match. Alternatively and far less expensive, I will first try a new piece of mahogany plywood and do some testing to see if I can get a color match. Home Depot has 3 x 4-foot pieces for about $20.

Rags
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 4:22 am

Re: Early Progress on my 15 Sport Restoration

Postby Rags » Fri Apr 14, 2017 3:38 pm

Sweet work.