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HENRY O Boats compared To Boston Whaler Boats
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ContinuousWave Whaler Moderated Discussion Areas
ContinuousWave: The Whaler GAM or General Area
HENRY O Boats compared To Boston Whaler Boats
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| Author | Topic: HENRY O Boats compared To Boston Whaler Boats |
| Foamfilled |
posted 10-09-2002 12:41 AM ET (US)  
Loved the deep vee and solid filled foam [of the HENRY O boat]. [Give me the HENRY O boat's] [advantages] or [disadvantages]? |
| skred |
posted 10-09-2002 09:33 AM ET (US)
Very strange: I bought my 15 CC from a fella who sold it because he bought a HENRY O17'. Looked to be a very nicely finished boat... |
| Foamfilled |
posted 10-09-2002 10:32 AM ET (US)
I have owned several Whalers, and 2 Henry O's. My original HENRY Opurchase was 1989. I think the original HENRY O boats were made c.1989 thru c.1991, then molds were bought by Taylor Manufacturing who continued thru 1999. I chose the New HENRY O170 over the 16' Whaler in 1989 because there was about a $6,000 price difference. Probably why HENRY O went out of business. [The HENRY O boat] was, however a good deal, rated for more people, motor, more load, and foam filled to the top. The quality was less than Whaler, but that 1989 held up just fine. I recently had an opportunity to buy another, a 1991 dual console, and it too still is tip top. I paid $6,500 within the past 6 months, and see 170's listed from time to time between $6,500 and $8,500, so their values are holding, for whatever reason. I still own three Whalers, and maybe four, so I still like the Whalers better, but that HENRY O is really dry, jumps on top of the water, and is tough. The speedometer says 54 with a 115HP and one person very lttle weight. Taylor quit making them too; I guess they just never caught on. |
| Bigshot |
posted 10-09-2002 10:37 AM ET (US)
I never heard of them. |
| Foamfilled |
posted 10-09-2002 05:41 PM ET (US)
http://www.taylormfg.com/henryo.htm No longer available!! |
| jimh |
posted 10-09-2002 07:44 PM ET (US)
I recall seeing a HENRY O boat at a show. The lines of the bow are rather distinctive. Overall the lines of the boat remind me of a SCOUT. Perhaps it is a derivative. |
| acassidy |
posted 10-09-2002 08:58 PM ET (US)
If I remember correctly Mckee Craft split a while back when the two brothers argued over the design. One wanted to go with V bottom (which is what Mckee did) and the other wanted to go with a more radical Mckee modified semi V. So I would assume that the HENRY O is built like the Mckees. Personally I really like the HENRY O design. I might be off on my facts. Archie |
| wayne baker |
posted 10-09-2002 09:27 PM ET (US)
I know one guy who had a HENRY O, he loved the quality of the boat. After only about 10 years did he decide it was time for a new boat. The HENRY O was so well thought of by him and his family that he sold it to his brother-in-law. The only complant he had with the boat was he thought it was heavy for a 17-footer. He did like the way the weight seemed to cause the boat to sit lower in the water. He said it drove like a car at low speeds and was easy to handle aaround the dock. |
| Foamfilled |
posted 10-12-2002 10:42 PM ET (US)
Archie... I think the split between the brothers took place before HENRY O got started. HENRY O Mckee was I believe... involved in the HENRY O venture with his son. Wayne... HENRY O boats do weigh more the a Whaler 17, but the load rate, swamp rate, and HP ratings were higher allowing for more passenger, fuel, and carrying capacity. They do sit down nice too, and handle very well at low RPMs. Jim |
| Foamfilled |
posted 10-12-2002 10:47 PM ET (US)
JimH, I'm not sure how long the Scout has been around, but I too have seen a simularity. For some reason it seems to me the Scout came afterwards. The HENRY O hull sends all the spray out and down. Jim |
| razc60 |
posted 08-26-2008 11:50 AM ET (US)
[Revived this dormant discussion from six years ago to say that] HENRY O boats are great boats [and added a notice of FOR-SALE which has been deleted.] |
| jmhannah1966 |
posted 11-29-2008 10:09 AM ET (US)
I purchased one of the original 18-foot HENRY O boats back in the late 1980's and loved the boat. You needed to get into heavy seas of 4-feet or more to really appreciate the boat's design. More than once I was fishing 10-miles off the coast of Southport when the seas picked up and I rolled home in 6-foot waves. The boat just ate up conditions like these. The Mckee brothers split before Henry and his sons started making HENRY O boats. Henry never went into details about the split, but I believe it was due to the fact he wanted to make his own designs. A word of caution to anyone looking at HENRY O boats: In the 1990's HENRY O went bankrupt and the design hulls were purchased by Taylor manufactoring. In my opinion, Taylor cut a lot of corners in the boats they built. Everyone I talked to on Oak Island that had a Mckee built HENRY O boat that purchased a Taylor made HENRY O boat did not feel the quality was the same. I would not purchase a HENRY O boat that was built by Taylor manufactoring. |
| tarbaby |
posted 11-30-2008 10:39 PM ET (US)
Still being made, just a different name: Mckee custom boats |
| brisboats |
posted 12-01-2008 12:34 AM ET (US)
I have owned a 1986 18-foot (17'9") center console made by HENRY O and Mckee custom for almost 10 years now. My boat was custom ordered and built for fire and rescue use and is built very well. It is foam filled and unsinkable like a Whaler but has a drainable cavity underneath draining to a small sump area and a garboard drain on the hull bottom. The glass layup is thicker and roller trailers are OK to use. Boat has a deep freeboard and a swamped capacity of 3,600-lbs, max rated for 150-HP. It has more interior room than the Outrage 18. No built-in gas tanks but rather two 20 gallon aluminum tanks located under the very large console. These boats are often confused with but are not made by Mckeecraft. Rumor is the Mckee brothers hade a falling out at one point and each ran seperate companies. The boat rides much better than my 74 Montauk as it should because it weighs considerably more and the Montauk looks dimiutive when parked next to the 18' Henry O'. I have not piloted an Outrage 18' enough to say the boat rides better than one. The HENRY O is a pleasure to run in the steep confused 1-2' Chesapeake chop. Henry O' Mckee recently passed away and I believe his talented sons Scott and Andy are running Mckee custom. The HENRY O molds were bought by Taylor but it is true Taylor never built the boats to the quality and standard of the original HENRY O boats. The right HENRY O would be an excellent alternative if a Whaler cannot be found that suits. They are a bit more of a no thrills boat and like Wahoo! Generally sell for a bit less than the Whalers. Brian |
| chopbuster |
posted 12-02-2008 01:26 PM ET (US)
http://www.mckeecustomboats.com/henryo.html |
| Jayrock |
posted 12-15-2008 11:56 PM ET (US)
I have a 1989 HENRY O 170. It has a 2004 Honda 115-HP motor on it. It will [go over 45-MPH] easily with a minimal load, but with the 42-gallon fuel tank full, and over 40-gallons of fuel, she only hits around 30-MPH. In calm seas. But where this boat excels is in the rough water. I ROUTINELY take this boat over 30-miles offshore, chasing albacore, yellowtail, [unrecgonized acronym], and bluefin tuna In southern CA. I have had two Boston whalers. They cannot compare to the Mckee boats as a rough water offshore and inshore boat. The Boston Whaler was a WAY better fishing platform inshore, more suited for the casting and sight fishing in the bays, but gave you a bath and beat you to death in any conditions [with wave height] over three feet . I could have gotten a bigger, longer boat for my type of fishing, but I like the challenge of hanging tuna that weighs over 50-lbs, and triple-digit billfish from my little Mckee. It is a Tank. Handles like a dream, and always gets grins from people at the ramp. "That is the most seaworthy looking 17 footer I have ever seen. Who Makes it? McKee? Never heard of em." LOL |
| kprincesr |
posted 01-10-2009 09:12 PM ET (US)
I recently purchased in Aug a '99 17cc Henry O with 150 hp and t-top and very satisfied with the ride and handling of the boat. Have yet to get wet from spray. So far about 4 foot seas is the most I have ran it in out of the Southport area. The first trip out of the inlet faced me with about 7 - 6' swells which it handled fine. This has been a fish catching machine when we find fish. Would like to have more information on the boat. I am considering adding a baitwell forward and would like some insight if anyone else has any experience with that. Considering the space for the size, this boat rocks. I am concerned with the possibility of the water that may be holding in the bilge. Seems the drainage system is compartmentalized and apart from the foam filled bottom. Thanks |
| HenryOHornet |
posted 04-23-2009 04:18 PM ET (US)
RE HenryO boats, I got an answer at McKee Custom boats and talked to them for a few. The boat has one piece of structural wood, a 2 x 2 keel support. All other hull structure is supplied by hand laid fiberglass filled with 2-lb density structural foam like Whaler and McKee Craft. The cockpit floor has a layer of plywood. There is plywood in the face of the driver's console through which the steering helm mounts. The hull is completely foam filled. Originally had a 39 gallon aluminum gas tank. Dry Hull Weight: 1250 lbs. The 'Hornet' name was used on the first "half-dozen or so" 17-foot hulls they built. All later 17-foot hulls just say "Henry O" on the side near the stern. The Challenger was their 15-foot model. |
| gut |
posted 05-03-2009 10:50 PM ET (US)
I Own a 19.9 (1999 w/150 hp) Henry O and love it. Do not no any specifics on it. |
| gut |
posted 05-03-2009 10:51 PM ET (US)
If any one has details on the 19.9 I would love to talk. |
| jimh |
posted 05-04-2009 08:18 AM ET (US)
One disadvantage of the HENRY O boat is that apparently there is no place on the world wide web that hosts any sort of discussion about them other than a Boston Whaler boat website. |
| PluffDiver |
posted 05-27-2009 04:06 PM ET (US)
I have two of these boats. The first one is a 1990 22ft Henry O on the other is a 1998 21.6 ft Mckee Custom. The Henry O is substantianlly bigger than the Mckee custom, but both have a similar hull design and both are excellent boats. I wish Mckee custom would get the molds back from Taylor and start making them again. As a side note, if you need any information on the Henry O's. THere is a guy that still works at Taylor that will be more than happy to talk to you. |
| 1chance |
posted 06-04-2009 12:38 PM ET (US)
I'm looking a Henry O as hard as I can. I missed out on a 1993 16' yesterday. I would really like to see the 22'. I've never seen one. Thanks |
| Foamfilled |
posted 10-20-2009 02:17 PM ET (US)
Just bought my third Henry O. This one is a 1990 170CC with a Yamaha 115. I guess I just can't keep away from these things. Great Boats!! |
| dilligaf |
posted 10-30-2009 05:09 PM ET (US)
I have 2 Henry"Os a 1989 16' dual console with a 80hp 4 stroke yamaha and a 1991 23' walk around with a 225hp Suzuki efi 2 stroke. I wouldn't trade either of them for any other boat in their class. The 23' is the best off shore fishing boat I'v e ever had. I've had Alcars, Cobia, a parker and a maycraft. For it's size it is just perfect. Good in rough seas, easy to handle at slow speeds as well. The 16' is great in the bay or fresh water lakes. I live near Cape Cod and have fished with both boats in some very rough weather. |
| bigjim |
posted 11-17-2009 03:42 PM ET (US)
I just purchase a 1989 16' Henry O. It is in impecable condition. Where can I find the history of Henry O? bigjim |
| jimh |
posted 11-17-2009 08:13 PM ET (US)
As I mentioned already, one problem with owning a HENRY O boat is that there is not a website dedicated to owners of the HENRY O boat. I suggest that the remedy for this problem is for an owner of a HENRY O boat to start a website whose focus is the HENRY O boat. |
| shawnee |
posted 11-22-2009 09:26 AM ET (US)
I have a 1989 Henry O 170 with a 89 Yamaha 115 on it. Great Boat. I have never had the hull slam. Cuts chop better than any mono hull I've ever run. |
| shawnee |
posted 11-22-2009 11:19 AM ET (US)
Henry O 170 Center Consol changed origional fuel tank to 36 gallon replacement. Steep deadrise does cause high angle of list if you put a couple of 200+ pound guys fishing off of one side. I would like to add trim tabs to help with this situation under way. Top speed for mine is (GPS) 43MPH fully trimed. Cotpit Scuppers sit too low on water line so I keep them plugged. Anchor locker has about a 1" PVC drain that runs along the keel all te way to a 1'x 1' bilge compartment at the transom. The fuel tank compartment (rear edge of bow step up ledge to rear edge of center console) has a drain at the rear center that connects down to the keel drain. The fish locker (about 36")starts just behind the fule tank locker and runs to just in front of the bilge compartment and also drains down to the keel drain. All of the compartments are fully finished with gell coat. There is a 3 1/2" PVC pipe that runs to the transum from under the console for controls. All of the deck and access covers have what looks like 1/2" marine plywood fiberglassed in place. There appears to be no stringers and every other space in the hull is filled with faom. If I can help anyone with Henry O questions by looking at mine let me know. |
| bigjim |
posted 05-28-2010 12:11 PM ET (US)
I took my 1989 Henry O up to Bolivia, NC to McKee Custom boats for refurbishment. Andy and Scott Mckee did a fantastic job restoring the interior and exterior to mint condition. I would highly recommend this approach for any older Henry O boats. These gentlemen really do a fantastic job. |
| dscew |
posted 05-28-2010 12:33 PM ET (US)
I'd like to see a link to photos of that. Do you have any? |
| DeeVee |
posted 05-28-2010 10:38 PM ET (US)
I would also be interested in seeing pictures of the restoration. Doug Vazquez |
| Hal Watkins |
posted 06-03-2010 08:35 AM ET (US)
speaking of enry O boats...Here is one at auction... http://gsaauctions.gov/gsaauctions/aucitsrh/ Cheap so far... |
| brisboats |
posted 06-04-2010 08:30 AM ET (US)
That boat at auction looks like a 15' challenger and a later built one from a Taylor mold. The Taylor built boats will often go cheap as things went to heck in quality control when the molds were sold to them. I am starting to see postings where people are seeking out the earlier built boats on the internet. While it may never achieve the iconic cult status of a classic Whaler the real Henry O's are one tough boat. Brian |
| bigjim |
posted 06-07-2010 10:11 PM ET (US)
I can't seem to be able to attach a picture of the boat. Trust me, its like a new boat. |
| bigjim |
posted 06-08-2010 05:23 PM ET (US)
If anyone wants to see pictures of my refurbished Henry O, my email address is bigjimmorey@gmail.com. I'd be happy to email them to you. Its a real classic on my lake in northern New York. |
| kprincesr |
posted 01-13-2012 09:17 PM ET (US)
Andy and Scott McKee currently have molds similar to the Henry O in the 21 and 26 foot models. The economy has been hard on their company and they are surviving on doing repair work. These fellows are talented boat makers from a fine family of knowledge and were raised on building boats. They are in need of a boost to get the capital to make the boat building business a worthwhile investment again. They would like to build boats but the economy is breaking up what could become a continuation of the lines they are famous for. They have the facility, the talent, the knowledge, and the desire to build more fine quality boats that are better than those built in the past. What they need is enough orders to make the investment worthwhile to undertake this endeavor again. Many boat building businesses have suffered to the point of closing from the economic downturn that began in 2008 and they are also in dire straits. They do work on my boat at prices that are reasonable and I would recommend them to anyone needing repairs or maintenance items including refurbishment, gel coat repair, bait wells, fuel tank replacement, winterizing, storage and so on. I am a firm supporter that we should give these guys work to keep what may be lost alive unless we let them suffer from the lack of work that they need to survive. Their lines of boats are to be commended. Even though my boat was made by Taylor Manufacturing, their expertise and the performance of the 17 CC Henry O designed by their past generation leads me to hope this boat design will be on the market in newer models. Contact Andy McKee and Scott McKee and give them some work! They are located at 3395 Boat Lane, Bolivia, NC 28422 Contact them at mckeecustomboats@yahoo.com Their website is http://www.mckeecustomboats.com/ Phone 910-253-5948 |
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