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Author Topic:   BW versus Edgewater?

North Beach posted 03-01-2002 08:34 AM ET (US)
Struggling over what 17-20 center console to buy. Can get a edgewater for so much cheaper ( used market, and presumably, new also). Looks to me like it don't have all the nicer detail of the BW, but so much less, which means that the engine be so much newer. Anyone ever make a similar analysis? Like to hear anyone's thoughts.
David Ratusnik posted 03-01-2002 08:49 AM ET (US)
North- Tell us more about the boat(s) you are looking at now. What year, what length, what power, what condition etc. While the Edgewater boats I've seen are lovely, the real question in my mind is whether they will hold value like the Whaler. In the reference section on this site considerations on buying a Whaler are discussed in some detail. I rec reading this reference section and then applying it to the Edgewater, obviously a boat with many similar characteristics. Good luck David
BOB KEMMLER JR posted 03-01-2002 08:52 AM ET (US)
Ill offer my 2 cents,i set a budget of 5k to put towards the purchase of another boat.I ended up spending 4K on a 15rage(not the most popular whaler around this forum)but the overall quality is just awesome compared to the compitition.I could have got a much larger boat for the same price,but i feel safer in this 15 than i did in my old 19ft runabout.
North Beach posted 03-01-2002 09:12 AM ET (US)
Gentlemen:
BAsically 17-19 foot cenbter console-can get like 1996 ew for 15k, or 1990 or older outrage for 17-19,plus ot minus. I agree about holding value, bu that is not as critical in a used boat, becasue the major hit ahs been taken and because you are already starting form a lower value point.
Do't know, but I am really leaning towerd EW.
Proably still keep my 15 BW , though
jimh posted 03-01-2002 09:22 AM ET (US)
The Edgewater boats are first cousins to Whalers, and in many cases they have more family resemblence than the most recent offspring of the Boston Whaler line.
The Edgewater boats were designed by the same hand that drew the finest Whaler hulls for years, so their pedigree is rather pure.
I cannot offer any firsthand advice about fit and finish. The Edgewater hull seems well engineered, and I believe their patented construction technique was awarded an industry prize for innovation.
It seems there is much to like about them. A lower price might be another thing to like about the boat!
It comes down to deciding if you want a good boat or you want a Whaler.
Many people try to convince themselves that their brand of boat is "as good as a Whaler", but in the case of Edgewater that may not be too long of a stretch.
If you motored over to a Whaler Rendezvous in an Edgewater, I think you'd find a much warmer welcome than if you showed up in a 17-foot SeaRay bowrider.
JBCornwell posted 03-01-2002 10:14 AM ET (US)
Just a note.
There is an Edgewater on Ebay, listed as a Whaler.
Red sky at night. . .
JB :)
CUOffshore posted 03-01-2002 10:16 AM ET (US)
I have to agree with jimh and I am speaking from firsthand experience. I own two "classic" Whalers; a 15' Striper and an 18' Outrage. My fishing partner owns a newer (1998) 20 or 21 foot Edgewater. I'm in Savannah, Georgia and we fish for trout and redfish (saltwater/inshore) two or three days a week almost year round. I've probably spent as many hours running his boat over the past few seasons as I have mine and I can assure you that the Edgewater is basically the same boat as my Outrage 18 with a better ride due to the additional length. The boat delivers the same solid yet "cushioned" landing coming off the swells and, like the older Whalers, throws spray straight down instead of back out or up into the air. If you've run a Whaler, you know what I mean. As far as I am concerned, the Bob Dougherty designed Edgewaters are a continuation of the Whaler line had Whaler remained the company that it once was. Fit and finish are excellent. With Yamaha power, the Edgewater has had zero problems. Given a choice betweem a newer Whaler and the Edgewater, I'd pick the Edgewater regardless of the price difference. It's that good. That opinion is from a confirmed "Whaler nut", for what it's worth.
where2 posted 03-01-2002 12:31 PM ET (US)
Being the son of an Edgewater owner, and living 4 houses down the street (My 15' Sport lives at his dock, until we build my dock). I can say that when Dad bought his '97 Edgewater 20' (200CC) Center Console new in '98 from the dealer powered with a 200 Yamaha, he was a pertty happy camper. In the years since, he has used it more than the average joe, since he's retired, and lives on the water in South Florida. He has had ZERO problems with the hull. The only spider cracks that have shown up were on the top of the center console (shared in later years with the 18' hull). There are things that could be better, like the lack of real back support for the rear seats next to the engine, but in reality, that would be more cumbersome and in the way for fishing and climbing back in off the dive platform. He's had one Perko deck hatch handle break, but that was a Perko thing, easily replaced at West Marine.
As for whether they hold their value, It's been difficult to judge since so few edgewaters ever show up on the used market. BUT Edgewaters carry a LIFETIME hull warranty, whereas BW's only offered 10yr. Both companies will tell you that spider cracks in the gelcoat are not covered.
As for the actual ride of the boat, in my time running it and riding in it, (probably atleast 100 hrs total), I can only say it's a dry and comfortable ride. It runs just over 50mph top speed, and cruises economically around 26mph. (Dad added the yamaha fuel flow meter).
Take one for a ride, and then think about it. The ride says it all.
Bigshot posted 03-01-2002 01:16 PM ET (US)
I would not think twice about owning an Edgewater or a Scout. I also think the Hydra-Sport Vectors are a great boat but then you can rate Grady's, Mako's, Contenders, Regulators, SeaCrafts, etc. When comparing apples to apples...the Edgewater is an apple. Do you like yellow or red apples?
RJY66 posted 03-01-2002 06:20 PM ET (US)
I like both boats. The differences I see between the some of the Edgewaters and the older classic BW's is that for some reason, Edgewater does not go all the way up sides with foam the way BW does. It is all in the floor. Otherwise, a 20 ft Edgewater looks just like an older Outrage....both designed by Bob Dougherty. Also, Edgewaters are built with a grid system in the bottom of the boat whereas the Whalers are simply foam filled. This should be a plus for EW. Both boats are unsinkable, but EW does not advertise swamped capacity like Whaler.
Just from looking at Traderonline, I would agree that Whalers hold their value much better than EW's. After all, Whaler has been in business a long time and has tremendous brand recognition. Look at the prices for used EW's compared to used Whalers. I may be wrong, but I think the Whaler may hold up cosmetically better than the EW. I think if I were going to get a used boat and did not love classic Whalers (which I do), I would go with an Edgewater. If I were going new, I would get a Whaler for the resale value.
tuna1 posted 03-01-2002 06:44 PM ET (US)
Bottom line- Boston Whaler,10Year, Edgewater,Lifetime Who has the most confidence in their products?????????
bobb posted 03-01-2002 09:02 PM ET (US)
Edgewater comes with Yamaha's. Whaler comes with Merc. Enough said?
Tom Byrum posted 03-01-2002 10:00 PM ET (US)
My Yamaha dealer in San Rafael just became an Edgewater dealer. He is gonna call me as soon as a 23' that he previously ordered and I will take a look at it. Price is tough to beat if it is as good as its supposed to be.
James posted 03-01-2002 10:25 PM ET (US)
The following are observations of EW, as requested by North Beach. They are not meant to start a flame war.

In my search for a new boat I took a rather detailed look at the Edgewater 185. The hull design is everything that those previously posting have stated regarding the Whaler look. However, I was rather disappointed by the fit and finish on the boat.
Specifically, the boats that I looked at did not have an anchor slide/holder in the anchor locker. Just an empty box/hole. You can see the unfinished inside of the hull and that is directly where the anchor would be resting.
There was no foam to be seen anywhere in the very front of the bow. If you stuck your head partially inside this particular anchor locker, you would be able to see a rather significant gap between the hull and the deck liner. I was further surprised to see the rather thin wire for the bow light just laying loose across the hull in the same anchor box area where the anchor, chain and rope were supposed to be stored.
I was not impressed with the positioning and the general impression (loosely bunched together) created by the wiring inside the middle of the console.
When EW went from the cooler seat toa molded cooler seat they left a short gap between the front deck and the console seat. This unusable space is too small for adult feet but big enough to create a trip hazard. EW should consider a front deck that goes around and well past the molded console seat (similar to the Regulator 21) or go entirely flat in the front like a Parker.
The boat hull sides appear to be hollow (no foam, perhaps?), and did flex noticeably.
These are things that I can see. I choose to believe that what I can see in a boat is an indicator of the quality of what I cannot see. I would not compare their overall quality with BW. My choice, maybe not yours.
James.
bobb posted 03-01-2002 10:40 PM ET (US)
The fit and finish is better on the Whaler, except for the new Edgewater 265, as good as Whaler. The hull construction on the Edgewaters are much better then the new Whalers. Deeper V, much thicker glass, grid construction, similar to a Regulator, built like a tank. Will ride better than Whaler, due to the deeper V.
North Beach posted 03-01-2002 11:22 PM ET (US)
Men:
Thanks for your very thoughtful analysis. I am going to look at a 17 Saturday with a 90 Yammy. SOrt of have to crawl thrugh it a little bit ti try to get a sense of the boat.
ECUSeaPA posted 03-01-2002 11:55 PM ET (US)
Tom:
Are you referring to the 225 or does EW have a "new" 23' coming out?
Tom Byrum posted 03-02-2002 12:07 AM ET (US)
23 I think he said. Not sure now that you ask. My wife must have thrown my Edgewater brochure away.
Alan Hiccock posted 03-02-2002 10:38 AM ET (US)
The deal with Edgewaters is they have a " boxed grid system that's then molded together like a whaler, supposed to be stronger..Hype? maybe.
One thing I'll tell ya is when Ray Hunt left Bertram he built a better B31 with Chris Craft that was available only a couple years in the '70s I called the Tornament {s}.
Anyways that boat had improvements all around including f.glass stringers, steel eng. beds & more over the Bertram 31.
Often these famous engineers/designers wont start thier own co. unless they have improvement ideas up thier sleeves.
It seems to me that the new Whaler sport & Montuak too have followed edgewater design cuesater maybe also in construction techniques as well.
The Whaler name still carries more weight so to speak.
Alan
bobb posted 03-02-2002 12:00 PM ET (US)
If anyone needs proof that the Edgewater grid system is better, just take a ride on one, or research how the best offshore boats are built, like Regulator. They are built with grids, like Edgewater. Makes for a far stronger hull, like an "I" beam, will not flex.
Alan Hiccock posted 03-02-2002 01:36 PM ET (US)
Whalers are great boats, no doubt about it an American tradition that really hold thier value & I'm proud to own one.
But some of the last generation hulls had a reputation of giving you a bit of a hard ride out there when its snotty when compared to variable deadrise designs some other deep v's. At least that was the rap on them from some capt. @ my dock who owned them.
I think thats why they changed the hull design in the newer ones. With boats like Contenders, Regulators, Pursuits even Edgewater around you have to keep improving to & BW has.
I looked at Whalers flagship couple months ago rigged with twin deisals Defiance is it, that babys impressive not to many unsinkable 35's around that boats pretty hard to beat.
Whaler has the best Cop boats also , fast too , I know from experience they get right on ya in a hurry!
I wonder if the new Montuak has a grid system too?
alan

bobb posted 03-02-2002 01:45 PM ET (US)
No doubt Whaler is one of the best finished boats in the industry. Not sure on smaller Whalers building the hulls with grid system, but I don't think the larger ones do. If it was not for Whaler, none of the other boat builder's would be using foam, Whaler lead the way. The mistake I see now is that they only offer Mercury engines, and with the fallout on the Optimax, it is hurting Whaler.
Tin Man posted 03-02-2002 02:12 PM ET (US)
I have an Edgewater 185CC. When I looked, I compared BW, Grady, Mako. The Whaler was nice, but the Edgewater came fully equipped (TTop,electronics,etc) for about the same price as a base Whaler. The selling point though was the ride. It is very dry and comfortable. With the 135 Optimax it is very economical to run. I typically run 30 miles offshore and back and burn 12-15 gallons.

The fire department here has an Edgewater 185CC and an Edgewater 200CC used for fire/rescue/dive platforms. I have run them in a number of rescues, searches and fires. The primary reasons for getting the Edgewaters were unsinkability and lifetime hull. These boats have definetly been stress tested.
Now that I'm thinking of moving up to a 23-26 cuddy or WA, my short list is the Edgewater 225 and 265EX, BW Conquest or an older BW Revenge.
North Beach posted 03-02-2002 04:02 PM ET (US)
Just looked at the edge 17 with the 90 Yammy (1998). I must say it really looked good-whther this is a function of this particular owner of the boat, I don't know, but for 14,500 (with trailer), it is tempting compared to 17500 plus or minus, for a 18-19 outrage that is 10 or more years old.
One thing though about this particular boat--the Yammy is an "inshore" model and only 90 hp. ANyone know what the INSHORE model engine is?
THanks again for all of these good thoughts on this issue. I suspect that I will go with the edge, if only for the price.

Dave
dfmcintyre posted 03-02-2002 05:31 PM ET (US)
Alan -
Was that the 31' Sportsman series of CC? If so, I know exactly what your talking about. My father, who had cruised for years in just about any length CC lookd for almost two years before locating a 1977 model about 70 miles south of us and bought it from the origional owner. They were built pretty rugged. When the hull was cored for a sumlog, the plug was slightly over 3/4" of solid resin and mat.
The shear line, the arched teak strip from the windshield aft and flat forward deck makes it a very distinctive hull.
He repowered (Crusader Marine 350cid GM blocks) and replaced the canvas and cushion set and has added varnished teak here and there to accent some areas.
Best - Don
reelescape1 posted 03-02-2002 05:53 PM ET (US)
Tin man......you get 4 mpg....BS!
Tin Man posted 03-02-2002 06:23 PM ET (US)
Reelescape - if you don't believe me come along. I'll probably try and go out to the Garden or Y73 sometime this week if it quits raining and lays down some. I'll fill up before we leave and when we get back. If it's 15 or under you pay.
Alan Hiccock posted 03-02-2002 06:56 PM ET (US)
Don,
Maybe it was a Sportsman I think it was called Tournament but could be wrong, it's one of the two. , it sold as a 30 'er.
it's the " Ray Hunt " Chris Craft.
I just came from boatrader online & theres a few, selling around 60K & up { 1975 boats}
there awesome ,
I'll try to link it...ng
its @ adcache.boattrader.com/6/0/5/1708305.htm
maybe made under sportsman too as a different syle or something but its called tournament as I checked them .
its my favorite 30 ft. sportfisherman, awesome range for it's size .. built like a tank.
Alan
David Ratusnik posted 03-02-2002 08:13 PM ET (US)
North- Just a random thought, but it seems to me that you are focused on price first rather than on boat function which has quite abit to do with size-length. Don't you think the 17' is tooooo small for you and what you want to do with the boat?? I'll be the devils advocate-- in two years you are going to want to buy a bigger boat!! If so, I would wonder if you are going to make money on the 17', or, just maybe you will sell for less than you paid. Just an idle thought. David
North Beach posted 03-03-2002 04:49 PM ET (US)
David
You are right, but the same analysis applies to the 18-19 size as well. A used edgewater (say 1996) will sell for 16.5k. A used whaler of that size and price will be far older. I just don't know what to do, but your point is well taken. Thanks
Alan Hiccock posted 03-03-2002 06:15 PM ET (US)
Buy an Edgewater & put the Boston Whaler name plates on it, noone will know the difference & the boat will be cooler!
{ cabin fever}
David Ratusnik posted 03-03-2002 07:20 PM ET (US)
North- Another thought- the initial post is 17'20 foot center. I believe, you agree that a bigger boat is in your future. My rec- Now, step up to the 22'- 25' center with a preowned, well maintained engine. South FLA has plenty of these. Build the boat up to the way you like it. You won't loose on the first boat this way. Focus on mid 80's hulls. I've seen two 22'ORs on this site that are priced right and may be of the quality you are looking for. I agree that price is impt. Personally, I wan't to minimize the total dollars I have in a boat. With 3 kids I'd be inapproapriate to do otherwize. My .03 David
Draftmanswife posted 03-05-2002 02:39 PM ET (US)
Well, I have to agree with most listings on this page. After the break-up between the family and BW in '96, we were in the market to become new dealers for Edgewater. They are every bit of BW's hulls, with few modifications. Designed by Bob Daugherty, a 35 yr. veteran from Whaler.
Of course they don't have the reputation of Whalers yet, but they are well on thier way.
I just have to laugh at Jim's remark about being welcome on the rendezvous in a Searay;
I remember a quote from another page, "Friends don't let friends by Searays"
Ya'll take care, Go Bahamas!
Janis
17montauk posted 03-08-2002 06:45 PM ET (US)
I own a 17 montauk (redone '79 hull with a '96 Johnson 88SPL) and admit the hull is bulletproof but must say the ride is very abusive on the body. I also work at an edgewater dealer and have ridden them all. The ew 185cc is by far the best riding hull in it's size range. There is no comparison, even though I own a whaler, I'd rather have a 185cc. The ride is very smooth and I've run the boat at 15-20 knots in 4-6ft seas and hardly got but a few drops of water on me. Say what you will, but the quality is just as good as a whaler, and the boat still comes w/ a lifetime warranty.
Alan Hiccock posted 03-08-2002 07:23 PM ET (US)
17montuak,
Thats quite a testamonial. Any 18 that keeps you dry in 4-6's is downright awesome.
One advantage of owning an 18 that performs like a 23 is it's cheaper to dock, store, trailer and power. I know Edgewater's 15 is no average 15 either. That 15 has the range of most 18'ers. Although the BW Duantless 15's are also a serious little rig. Oh & I like the 15 sports also because I own one of those, maybe wouldnt handle the rough stuff like the 15 EW but fast , solid & fun.
Alan
tabasco posted 03-08-2002 08:46 PM ET (US)
Don't quite understand this lifetime warranty. I went to the edwater site and it states that the warranty is 10 YEARS so where is this lifetime thing coming from?
fireball posted 03-08-2002 09:49 PM ET (US)
Gentlemen: most of the replys appear to come from knowledgeable folks, no doubt. To cut through the rhetoric, the edgewater is just like mckee and the others compared to the time tested whaler. They are all wannabes-to become a formidable foe of the the whaler they will offer reduced pricing, lifetime (10yr.?) warranties and so on-this is marketing. A whaler is like a house on the beach-buy it, use it for a couple years till you want to up-size, then sell for a handsome profit. Everytime I run my whaler I realize what a machine/engineering marvel it is. I cannot speak for the new ones that look like wannabes...g
Tin Man posted 03-08-2002 11:19 PM ET (US)
Tobasco - Not sure where you got your info. As far as I know Edgewater still comes with a lifetime hull warranty. Boston Whaler has a ten year warranty. I checked the Edgewater site and under standard features for their models the first item is the Lifetime Structural Hull Warranty. Their current site is www.ewboats.com
ECUSeaPA posted 03-08-2002 11:51 PM ET (US)
I have the EW 2002 Brochure and it indicates a "lifetime hull warrenty". The cover reads "Risk Nothing"
Alan Hiccock posted 03-09-2002 09:40 AM ET (US)
Fireball,
the thing is sometimes I wonder if " THE NEW" BW's are more like Sea Rays{ or other brunswick pproducts} & The Edgewaters are more like Bw's?
aaa posted 05-06-2004 01:10 AM ET (US)
I bought a used 1998 185cc,I had it a year and last month I found a 3 ft crack in the reverse strike.Water was seeping out.Edgewater did not help and 5 thousand later it is fixed. The problem was workmanship and a thin hull.....Buy a Boston Whaler and be a happy camper
skred posted 05-07-2004 11:42 AM ET (US)
Looked long and hard at an Edgewater 15CC with a 90 Honda last year. Went over that boat top to bottom on the showroom floor. Fit and finish were excellent. Especially liked the swing open console feature. Yes - it does have a lifetime hull warranty. I was impressed with the stringer system and "no wood" construction.
I would've bought the boat but for the low-ball trade-in offer on my 15CC. Salesman claimed they started at $20K, fully optioned, and since it was still there a year and a half later, they said they'd take $15K cash. Checked back this Feb. - and it was sold. All in all - Edgewater's everything they brag about it...
where2 posted 05-07-2004 12:27 PM ET (US)
My dad's 1997 20' Edgewater is still holding up fine. Between 800 and 1000 hours on the engine (97 Yamaha 200Hp, haven't checked the hour meter recently). He's seen people trying to sell 18 month old 18' Edgewaters for what he originally paid for his 20' brand new with zero hours on it...
Even 7 years old, I'd buy his from him if he wanted to get something else...
poker13 posted 05-13-2004 09:23 AM ET (US)
I am surprised by some of the early posts in this thread that say Edgewaters are lower priced than BWs. Maybe prices have come down in the last couple of years or so, but I remember getting quotes on the 13,14 and 15 Edgewaters from the only dealer in TX that were over $1,000 higher than equivalent BWs in Austin.
North Beach posted 05-13-2004 08:51 PM ET (US)
Bought the 18 outrage.
skred posted 05-14-2004 07:54 AM ET (US)
NorthBeach: A choice you will never regret!
Bigshot posted 05-14-2004 01:04 PM ET (US)
Mue point at this point but if I was going to buy a new boat in the 20' range, I doubt it would be a Whaler. That Nantucket is nice but for $30k I want a bit more than it offers and a 115hp. You can get the Scout or Edgewater(not much cheaper) but with more to offer and bigger engines. I wish Edgewater was around in 94 because I would have probably bought one instead of the Hydra-Sports Vector 2000 I own. I said the same thing about Whaler in 94 as well. My 20' Vector with a T-top, salt water wash, 225hp Johnson, leaning post, etc was cheaper than a 17' outrage with a 150...hard nut to swallowbeing we AALWAYS owned Whalers, just could not justify the difference.
Used market and new smaller boats(17'under)I think Whaler is the way to go and I might buy a new 170 over the competition. That new 205 Eastport with a 150 is $42k.....PUUULLLLEEEEZZZE!
North Beach posted 05-14-2004 02:13 PM ET (US)
This post began (and I got my boat) over a year ago. Why did it resurface.
I agree with Big's comments about pricing. BW are too much for me, when compared with other new boats.
LHG posted 05-14-2004 02:45 PM ET (US)
Nick - Edgewater WAS around in 1994. Bob Dougherty formed the Company originally as MARLIN in 1990, upon leaving BW. First boats were a 17 and 18, (in both Center Console and "Ventura" versions) followed by a 21 CC, then a 24.
jlynes posted 07-25-2007 04:34 PM ET (US)
Good day Gents, I was compelled to add to your discussion as I too recently toiled over buying a used boat, and not buying a "WHALER." First and foremost, used boats are like bad ex wives in that, you usually don't see her flaws when you first lay eyes on her, but eventually, you realize that the traits that left you now cold, wet, and broke were there all along. I have had some experience with BW and love there reputation. However, like all of us, I wanted the most for my money. Recently, while searching online for a used boat I found a 2000, 20' Edgewater CC. Something told me to drive up to NC and look at her. Upon pulling into the boat yard, I knew I was in trouble...how would I leave without buying this boat-how would I explain to my wife that I'd just bought a boat when that morning I left the house without warning her. Upon pulling a compression check on the 00" Yamaha SSII 225, I offered the guy $15,000, and we settled on $15,800. After her seatrial, I wrote the guy a check, and headed for Savannah. The same class of whaler would have been another 6 to 8k. I've run the boat all summer, and can say that my hat is off to Mr. Dougherty. I've been very impressed with the ride, fishability, ammenities, and speed!!! of this vessel in all inshore and greenwater situations. Anyone looking at purhasing that 1995-1998 20' Outrage, I urge you... look at the EW 20' CC. The boats for sale right now are a heck of a good value in the 1999 - 2001 model year.
See you in the river
where2 posted 07-26-2007 10:27 PM ET (US)
A 225hp on an Edgewater 20CC ought to do 55mph... My wife still says, if my father ever speaks again of selling his 1997 Edgewater 200CC that we "Need to Buy It" so it stays in the family. It's only 4 houses down the street. It was rigged, upgraded, maintained, and babied by a retired guy who has been boating for more than the last 50 years! It's always been kept on a trailer or a floating lift, never bottom painted.
Enjoy the Edgewater, it's a wonderful dry ride. I guess you managed to break the news to your wife gently...

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