posted 08-23-2000 03:45 PM ET (US)        

Found a OLD Whaler ( 13' ) and using info from the site was able to find the hull number, #1525. She is pretty beat up and needs seemingly everything..... I've never owner a boat before and as such don't know where to start. She is sitting in my driveway and I am getting started on the trailer while I gather info on the boat.

I have a couple of questions: Is this hull ( 1st year of production? ) worth saving/working on? Is there someone in my area ( Falls Church, VA ) that can look at her and tell me what I need to do/offer helpful advice? What are the ins and outs of repairing the hull ( at least once repainted inside - all flaking off, transom raised to 20" with aluminum over wood, holes in the interior where a console was installed - now gone, rough looking repairs on the outside hull, several small holes in the transom area - motor mounting?, etc.... )

ARRRGGGGG!!!!!!!!! Help!

posted 08-23-2000 07:49 PM ET (US)            

My advice; though, I'm admittedly not as astute in whaleresque as most on this site, is do it in stages. Set reasonable goals as to what you really need/want in a finished product. Get it usable and do the rest over time as interest and finances dictate. Bottom line, stop further deterioration, get it seaworthy and start using it. The rest will come naturally.

Any whaler is worth saving. Eventually, you'll come to see that as something just short of a mission from God.

posted 08-23-2000 07:52 PM ET (US)            

I can't say I actually went to the marina, but I spoke with a mechanic at that marina in DC (on the Potomac)- they work on OMC engines. The mechanic was very helpful and most off all he owned a 13' BW of which he spoke highly. He was the kind of guy who welcomed questions and gave me some good advice over the phone that I greatly appreciated. It might be worth calling and just asking for the mechanic with the small BW - it might get you started.

Also, I just had some engine work done at High Tide Marine in Solomons Island (MD). They used to be O'Berry Marine for the longest time. But I had an excellent experience with the new owners and mechanic. Along with being knowledgable, they were very nice folks. I might add they had several Whalers in for repairs.

I bring them up because one week after buying my 13' whaler I found out the prop was spun and the carbs needed tuning. It had been a while since I needed a mechanic in Solomons and I was happy to find out the place there was good. Even living in Germantown, MD it is was worth the trip.

Paul