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Author Topic:   15 v. 13

Chris posted 07-27-2000 07:09 PM ET (US)
Presently we (my 16 yr old son and I) have a 1988 13 Super Sport with a 30hp Johnson. Everything is fine; great boat, motor runs excel, etc... Having said this we were thinking of moving up although there is reluctance here. I was thinking of a 15 for the extra room and better ride (?) I have been told by some forget the 15; keep the 13 or buy a 17. The 17 appears a bit big for use and circumstances (trailering with a small car). I would love to see some discourse (maybe even a debate) on a 13 vs a 15 whaler. My questions specifically : is the ride that much better? Is there that much more usable cockpit space to offset the inherent weight disadvantages (trailering and large power plants). What do you think guys- keep the nice little 13, or am I missing something but not getting a 15 or should I saving my money for a few years buy a truck and a 17 ( hey this gets expensive). I would hate to sell this great little boat and regret it..... But I also think I may be missing something.........................Thanks CMF p.s. Great site Jim
sport15er posted 07-27-2000 08:43 PM ET (US)
Chris, I've got an '87 super-sport-15 w/ 60 hp, that I can't get enough of. It handles great, and can easily hold 4 ppl comfortably, and 5 ok. It's my first, so I can't compare it to yours. There are times when I think of possibly graduating to a bigger size too; but I'm thinking that I want to keep my 15, along w/ whatever I end up with.. Must be a common Whaler sickness...
......
sport15er posted 07-27-2000 08:46 PM ET (US)
Chris, I've got an '87 super-sport-15 w/ 60 hp, that I can't get enough of. It handles great, and can easily hold 4 ppl comfortably, and 5 ok. It's my first, so I can't compare it to yours. There are times when I think of possibly graduating to a bigger size too; but I'm thinking that I want to keep my 15, along w/ whatever I end up with.. Must be a common Whaler sickness...
......
Bruce Boehle posted 07-27-2000 09:24 PM ET (US)
Chris,
Sport15er is right! Even if you do move up you should keep the 13SS. I had one and sold it to buy a Nauset. I regretted it so much I had to go out and buy an old sport to work on to get my Whaler fix for the year. One is not enough. Don't ask me? It's a sickness. Keep the 13', and save for a 17'.
Bruce
jimh posted 07-28-2000 12:27 AM ET (US)
Re: 13 -vs- 15
There is quite a bit of difference in the hull form on these two boats. You can see this if you compare the photographs of the various models in the Reference section.
The 15 hull is actually more sensitive to lateral trim than the 13 hull.
You will also notice that the 13 has a higher listed capacity (6-persons) compared to the 15 hull (5-persons).
I have owned a 15 Sport for three years and had many great trips with it, including some "big water" boating on Lake Superior and other large lakes.
The 15-hull will still fit in most garages. The 17 will likely not fit, as the height will be too great.
Like quantum physics, there seems to be certain stable numbers of Whalers to own. Zero-Whalers-Owned is a stable number for many people, but One-Whaler-Owned is unstable, usually leading to a more stable configuration, Two-Whalers-Owned.
--jimh
Clark Roberts posted 07-28-2000 06:34 AM ET (US)
Chris, Jim makes some good points... I will add that the 15 handles and rides better in chop than the 17... but suffers from lateral stability, as Jim says. The 17 is like a scaled up 13 and the 15 is like a scaled down 18'6" hull... The 17 is more versatile than the 15... gee, you may need one of each! BTW, I have owned over 40 (that's right .. forty) Whalers and have enjoyed them all from 9' to 21', (currently have two 13's a 15 and a 21)... Good advice on keeping the 13, if $ and space allow! Another analogy> the 13 is like a quarterhouse (quick, agile, predictable although rough riding); the 15 is like a thouroughbred (very fast, smooth , gentle in the turns) and the 17 is like a workhourse (never complains, carries very heavy loads with ease, dependable.....) Don't think you can make a mistake here... suggestion is to test drive all before selling that 13! Happy Whalin'.. Clark.. Spruce Creek Navy
russellbailey posted 07-28-2000 01:11 PM ET (US)
Our first boat was a 1976 Sport 13 with a 25 hp Evinrude. Great fun, but when I was around 10 (1980) I spent many hours trying to get up on a slalom ski, to no avail. Rather than putting a 50 on the 13, we instead got a 15' with a 70. At 170 lbs, I can easily get up on a single ski with this boat.
Ride is much smoother. We have a Striper - seats 4 well, 5 ok.
BTW, our boat is rated for 7 people. This is on the original tag from Whaler. We've had 7 adults in it (in high school) but it is tight. And I wouldn't want it in rough water with more than 4.
You can likely also put the 15 on the same trailer your 13 is currently on. I'd sell the 13 for a 15.
whalernut posted 07-29-2000 08:34 AM ET (US)
Chris, I have owned a 71` `13 Sport and presently own a 73` `16 Currituck. I love the room and stability of the `16 as well as the clean lines. But I still regret selling the `13, when in it I felt almost part of it, and it was the most stable boat I have ever been in. I feel it is a great first boat for a child. It is extremely easy to trailer, didn`t even know it was back there. I think they are the nicest 2 person fishing boat in the world. The blue interior is very nice. Anyway I am looking to buy another one and will keep it for a very lomg time. I wouldn`t sell that `13 footer. I have never rode in a `15, although if I got a good deal on one I would buy one, but still eventually buy another `13. The one thing I found out about the bench seat `16 Currituck is that if you floor it with an 85h.p. Johnson on the back, you either fall off the seat or fall off the seat with the steering wheel still in you`re hand. It will be very interesting when I pull someone skiing! It should be great for tubeing. Good luck-Jack Graner.
BD posted 07-30-2000 07:31 PM ET (US)
Gee--tough choices. Well, here's my two bits. I have a 13' and a 15'SS. I am looking for an 18.5 Outrage. I will dump the 15'SS when I find the Outrage.
Our 13' is the work horse, the kids boat, and the one I'll keep for life (it will outlive me), the 15'SS is the greatest. Fast, fun, a little ponding in rough water, and with a 70HP, you can get it going so that you might wonder about your own safety...but it feels safe all the time. A good ski boat, runabout, and a sexy look.
When I was a kid through my late teens, we had a 17' Montauk. We had it all over, very deep water...miles offshore. It is also a workhorse and a steady one. The pounding you get on your 13ft. will be very similar on a Montauk, but it will fell more solid, and less bone chilling.
All these boats give a great (Whaler) ride, you have to like it to stay with it - otherwise you are into the 'new' hull form. I am after the Outrage for the high gunwales..I aim to fish the deep again.
djmerrill posted 07-31-2000 09:56 PM ET (US)
I spent many years in friends 13's, and my family owned a 15 Sport during my teenage years. The 15 will get you a smoother ride in small chop. It has marginally more room than the 13, but very similar load capacity. It has worse primary stability at rest (feels tippier and more sensitive to side to side weight changes), but still has excellent secondary stability (once it tips a certain amount, it wont go any further). The 15 is faster, more comforable, and able to pull up adult skiers. I feel that the 17, when equiped with a center console, is a better rough sea boat, because I prefer to stand. But its hull is inherently rougher riding. Theres no right answer, they are all great boats!
Doug
Chris posted 08-02-2000 03:57 AM ET (US)
Thanks for comments guys....Okay Clark gonna put you on the spot.......you have a 13 and 15 you can only keep one ...which one? Anyone else have a final comment.. Maybe Jim will permit a vote.....might be fun..Thanks all.
whalernut posted 08-02-2000 08:09 PM ET (US)
Chris, I vote for the `13. Much more stable. I fish alot and that is one of my favorite qualities in the `13 and `16-`17 hulls. Regards-Jack Graner. P.S. My favorite hull is the `16 hull, super stable and affords alot more room than the `13.
Clark Roberts posted 08-05-2000 06:57 PM ET (US)
I would keep the 13!

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Author	Topic: 15 v. 13
Chris	posted 07-27-2000 07:09 PM ET (US) Presently we (my 16 yr old son and I) have a 1988 13 Super Sport with a 30hp Johnson. Everything is fine; great boat, motor runs excel, etc... Having said this we were thinking of moving up although there is reluctance here. I was thinking of a 15 for the extra room and better ride (?) I have been told by some forget the 15; keep the 13 or buy a 17. The 17 appears a bit big for use and circumstances (trailering with a small car). I would love to see some discourse (maybe even a debate) on a 13 vs a 15 whaler. My questions specifically : is the ride that much better? Is there that much more usable cockpit space to offset the inherent weight disadvantages (trailering and large power plants). What do you think guys- keep the nice little 13, or am I missing something but not getting a 15 or should I saving my money for a few years buy a truck and a 17 ( hey this gets expensive). I would hate to sell this great little boat and regret it..... But I also think I may be missing something.........................Thanks CMF p.s. Great site Jim
sport15er	posted 07-27-2000 08:43 PM ET (US) Chris, I've got an '87 super-sport-15 w/ 60 hp, that I can't get enough of. It handles great, and can easily hold 4 ppl comfortably, and 5 ok. It's my first, so I can't compare it to yours. There are times when I think of possibly graduating to a bigger size too; but I'm thinking that I want to keep my 15, along w/ whatever I end up with.. Must be a common Whaler sickness... ......
sport15er	posted 07-27-2000 08:46 PM ET (US) Chris, I've got an '87 super-sport-15 w/ 60 hp, that I can't get enough of. It handles great, and can easily hold 4 ppl comfortably, and 5 ok. It's my first, so I can't compare it to yours. There are times when I think of possibly graduating to a bigger size too; but I'm thinking that I want to keep my 15, along w/ whatever I end up with.. Must be a common Whaler sickness... ......
Bruce Boehle	posted 07-27-2000 09:24 PM ET (US) Chris, Sport15er is right! Even if you do move up you should keep the 13SS. I had one and sold it to buy a Nauset. I regretted it so much I had to go out and buy an old sport to work on to get my Whaler fix for the year. One is not enough. Don't ask me? It's a sickness. Keep the 13', and save for a 17'. Bruce
jimh	posted 07-28-2000 12:27 AM ET (US) Re: 13 -vs- 15 There is quite a bit of difference in the hull form on these two boats. You can see this if you compare the photographs of the various models in the Reference section. The 15 hull is actually more sensitive to lateral trim than the 13 hull. You will also notice that the 13 has a higher listed capacity (6-persons) compared to the 15 hull (5-persons). I have owned a 15 Sport for three years and had many great trips with it, including some "big water" boating on Lake Superior and other large lakes. The 15-hull will still fit in most garages. The 17 will likely not fit, as the height will be too great. Like quantum physics, there seems to be certain stable numbers of Whalers to own. Zero-Whalers-Owned is a stable number for many people, but One-Whaler-Owned is unstable, usually leading to a more stable configuration, Two-Whalers-Owned. --jimh
Clark Roberts	posted 07-28-2000 06:34 AM ET (US) Chris, Jim makes some good points... I will add that the 15 handles and rides better in chop than the 17... but suffers from lateral stability, as Jim says. The 17 is like a scaled up 13 and the 15 is like a scaled down 18'6" hull... The 17 is more versatile than the 15... gee, you may need one of each! BTW, I have owned over 40 (that's right .. forty) Whalers and have enjoyed them all from 9' to 21', (currently have two 13's a 15 and a 21)... Good advice on keeping the 13, if $ and space allow! Another analogy> the 13 is like a quarterhouse (quick, agile, predictable although rough riding); the 15 is like a thouroughbred (very fast, smooth , gentle in the turns) and the 17 is like a workhourse (never complains, carries very heavy loads with ease, dependable.....) Don't think you can make a mistake here... suggestion is to test drive all before selling that 13! Happy Whalin'.. Clark.. Spruce Creek Navy
russellbailey	posted 07-28-2000 01:11 PM ET (US) Our first boat was a 1976 Sport 13 with a 25 hp Evinrude. Great fun, but when I was around 10 (1980) I spent many hours trying to get up on a slalom ski, to no avail. Rather than putting a 50 on the 13, we instead got a 15' with a 70. At 170 lbs, I can easily get up on a single ski with this boat. Ride is much smoother. We have a Striper - seats 4 well, 5 ok. BTW, our boat is rated for 7 people. This is on the original tag from Whaler. We've had 7 adults in it (in high school) but it is tight. And I wouldn't want it in rough water with more than 4. You can likely also put the 15 on the same trailer your 13 is currently on. I'd sell the 13 for a 15.
whalernut	posted 07-29-2000 08:34 AM ET (US) Chris, I have owned a 71` `13 Sport and presently own a 73` `16 Currituck. I love the room and stability of the `16 as well as the clean lines. But I still regret selling the `13, when in it I felt almost part of it, and it was the most stable boat I have ever been in. I feel it is a great first boat for a child. It is extremely easy to trailer, didn`t even know it was back there. I think they are the nicest 2 person fishing boat in the world. The blue interior is very nice. Anyway I am looking to buy another one and will keep it for a very lomg time. I wouldn`t sell that `13 footer. I have never rode in a `15, although if I got a good deal on one I would buy one, but still eventually buy another `13. The one thing I found out about the bench seat `16 Currituck is that if you floor it with an 85h.p. Johnson on the back, you either fall off the seat or fall off the seat with the steering wheel still in you`re hand. It will be very interesting when I pull someone skiing! It should be great for tubeing. Good luck-Jack Graner.
BD	posted 07-30-2000 07:31 PM ET (US) Gee--tough choices. Well, here's my two bits. I have a 13' and a 15'SS. I am looking for an 18.5 Outrage. I will dump the 15'SS when I find the Outrage. Our 13' is the work horse, the kids boat, and the one I'll keep for life (it will outlive me), the 15'SS is the greatest. Fast, fun, a little ponding in rough water, and with a 70HP, you can get it going so that you might wonder about your own safety...but it feels safe all the time. A good ski boat, runabout, and a sexy look. When I was a kid through my late teens, we had a 17' Montauk. We had it all over, very deep water...miles offshore. It is also a workhorse and a steady one. The pounding you get on your 13ft. will be very similar on a Montauk, but it will fell more solid, and less bone chilling. All these boats give a great (Whaler) ride, you have to like it to stay with it - otherwise you are into the 'new' hull form. I am after the Outrage for the high gunwales..I aim to fish the deep again.
djmerrill	posted 07-31-2000 09:56 PM ET (US) I spent many years in friends 13's, and my family owned a 15 Sport during my teenage years. The 15 will get you a smoother ride in small chop. It has marginally more room than the 13, but very similar load capacity. It has worse primary stability at rest (feels tippier and more sensitive to side to side weight changes), but still has excellent secondary stability (once it tips a certain amount, it wont go any further). The 15 is faster, more comforable, and able to pull up adult skiers. I feel that the 17, when equiped with a center console, is a better rough sea boat, because I prefer to stand. But its hull is inherently rougher riding. Theres no right answer, they are all great boats! Doug
Chris	posted 08-02-2000 03:57 AM ET (US) Thanks for comments guys....Okay Clark gonna put you on the spot.......you have a 13 and 15 you can only keep one ...which one? Anyone else have a final comment.. Maybe Jim will permit a vote.....might be fun..Thanks all.
whalernut	posted 08-02-2000 08:09 PM ET (US) Chris, I vote for the `13. Much more stable. I fish alot and that is one of my favorite qualities in the `13 and `16-`17 hulls. Regards-Jack Graner. P.S. My favorite hull is the `16 hull, super stable and affords alot more room than the `13.
Clark Roberts	posted 08-05-2000 06:57 PM ET (US) I would keep the 13!