15-footer Planes with 6-HP

Optimizing the performance of Boston Whaler boats
Jeff
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Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2015 3:27 pm
Location: Detroit Area
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15-footer Planes with 6-HP

Postby Jeff » Wed Mar 22, 2017 11:43 pm

Since the ice broke, my son has been on me to go for a boat ride. So we threw the project 15 (getting prepped for new gelcoat) in our lake and cruised. Interesting enough, we found out the 15' hull will plane off with as little as 6hp. Which is what I plan to keep it on there for the kids to learn with. Aboard we had me (215-lbs), my son (65-lbs), and three-gallons of fuel for the load.

Had I not seen it with my own eyes, I would have said it would never plane off with a 6-HP, let alone with an adult and child aboard.

Here are some photos and video of the evening:

1981 15 Striper with 6hp Tiller all photos and videos

Video of start and planning
1993 23 Walkaround Whaler Drive - 1988 190 Grady White Tournament- 1981 15' Striper (under restsoration) - Curator of Everything Boston Whaler on Instagram

retired
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Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2015 12:05 am

Re: Criticism of Parent for No PFD on Child

Postby retired » Wed Mar 22, 2017 11:58 pm

That is good, however, I noticed your little guy is not wearing a life jacket. If the ice just came off the lake that water is extremely cold.

Jeff
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Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2015 3:27 pm
Location: Detroit Area
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Re: Reply to Criticism regarding PFD

Postby Jeff » Thu Mar 23, 2017 7:06 am

REALLY?!

Before being so quick to throw darts and question someone's parenting choices (parent shaming rarely goes over well or is taken lightly) pay close attention to how much is under his jacket. There is a lot of bulk because there is a life jacket under there. I have grown up on the water and so have my kids. They are not allowed on a dock, or on a boat of any size at anytime of the year without a life jacket on. When they ice skate on the lake in the winter time they have to wear a life vest under their winter jackets (just like this) no matter how thick the ice is when I cored it.
Last edited by Jeff on Thu Mar 23, 2017 9:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
1993 23 Walkaround Whaler Drive - 1988 190 Grady White Tournament- 1981 15' Striper (under restsoration) - Curator of Everything Boston Whaler on Instagram

ConB
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Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 2:52 pm
Location: Suttons Bay, MI

Re: 15-footer Planes with 6-HP

Postby ConB » Thu Mar 23, 2017 7:43 am

Very interesting. May be a 15-HP tiller motor would be adequate on a 13-footer with two adults if you keep the boat light. Of course a 25-HP would be better if I can find one.

Con
!987 Outrage 18 / 2011 Yamaha F150
1969 13 / 30hp Johnson tiller

jimh
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Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
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Re: 15-footer Planes with 6-HP

Postby jimh » Thu Mar 23, 2017 10:55 am

Jeff--thanks for the very interesting observation. Darn that 15-foot Boston Whaler hull is quite efficient. I would not have thought 6-HP would get it going like that.