1992 23 Walkaround with Volvo-Penta Diesel Sterndrive Production History

[sergios]

I am a recent owner of a 1992 23 Walkaround with factory-power using a Volvo Penta AD41B diesel and DuoProp sterndrive, HIN BWCFA040I192, which is currently based in Greece.

I understand the diesel sterndrive version of this hull was a rare factory option, mostly built for export markets. I'm trying to piece together whatever history exists on this configuration and would really appreciate any help:

Q1: where can I find records or reports of other AD41-powered 23 Walkarounds such as their hull numbers, locations, or owners that could help place mine in the production run?

Q2 what was roughly the number of total 23 WALKAROUND built in the 1991 to 1993 epoch, and specifically now many with the diesel sterndrive were built.

Q3: is there any factory documentation, brochures, or original equipment lists specific to the diesel engine sterndrive rigging (not the more common twin outboard engine rigging)?

ASIDE: thanks for maintaining such a great resource for these boats.

Sergios
Athens, Greece

Fig. 1. A rare 23 WALKAROUND with diesel sterndrive power.

23 walkaround.jpeg (131.7 KiB) Viewed 478 times

[jimh]

Your mention of an option for a Volvo-Penta diesel sterndrive is the first I have heard in a 23 WALKAROUND. My only suggestion for more background on its 1992 production epoch would be to contact a European Boston Whaler dealer who possibly could have ordered this unusual variant; then see if any of the people still there were working in sales or service 34-years ago. Such a person would have been about 20 to 25 years old, and have a good memory.

ASIDE: in my impression, the 23 WALKAROUND was already an expensive model in c.1992, so adding the diesel engine and DuoProp sterndrive would have made the boat even more expensive. In general, any Boston Whaler with a sterndrive was rather rare. And if there were a sterndrive, it would be even rarer for it to not be a gasoline engine and a Mercruiser brand.

The boat looks very nice in your photograph, and the static trim looks very good.

Also, quite curiously, at one point not too long ago there were three 23 WALKAROUND models in active use on Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Superior, the three Great Lakes we were very actively cruising every summer with our friends.

[sergios]

Hi Jim and thank you for your response,

Before getting this boat I researched--as much as I could--for the sterndrive version. I found the sterndrive option it was mentioned in the Boston Whaler 1991 catalogue and also in a magazine article.

FIg. 2. Excerpt from 1991 Boston Whaler catalogue.

BW_16P_1991Detail.jpg (114.93 KiB) Viewed 402 times

Fig. 3. Excerpt from boating magazine article.

BW23_magazineSM.jpg (151.24 KiB) Viewed 402 times

I will try to find more details about my 23 Walkaround Sterndrive, and I am still curious to find its particular history.

Thank you again,

Sergio

[jimh]

Thank you for posting the two very interesting photographs. The magazine article mentions a fuel economy of 4-MPG with the diesel engine. That is truly outstanding, particularly compared to the fuel consumption you would have gotten in c.1992 with twin two-stroke-power-cycle carburetor outboard engines running on gasoline fuel; they would be more likely to produced perhaps maybe 2-MPG at best at optimum cruising speed.

[FL21WAC]

Your 23 Walkaround is a fine looking boat. Cheers.