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jimh posted 01-31-2003 10:28 PM ET (US)
Boat company executive Peter Van Lancker who introduced Boston Whaler to six new hull designs in 1991, was recently mentioned in an article about Hunt Boats new 36-footer.
See: http://powerandmotoryacht.about.com/library/weekly/september02/aa090802a.htm
According to another article, Hunt Boats is a small semi-custom builder just formed recently.
See: http://www.s-t.com/daily/01-02/01-20-02/d01bu120.htm
Barry posted 01-31-2003 11:32 PM ET (US)
That boat is one of the Innovation Award Entries at the Miami Boat Show. http://www.eshow2000.com/mibs/award_entries.cfm
zpeed7 posted 02-02-2003 01:54 PM ET (US)
If I'm not mistaken, Hunt boats is owned by Ray Hunt Jr. the son of designer Ray Hunt of Bertam 31 fame. His colaboration with Van Lancker makes a very powerful team as his BW designs, at least in my opinion, are the best looking and best engineered ones of the "post-classic" BW's. They were truly heavy duty offshore boats. This is not surprising since his Black Watch boats were great offhore fishing machines. I've been fishing a few times in an Outrage 21 of that era and that boat can put a lot of bigger newer so called offshore fishing boats, including newer BW's, to shame.
whalerfran posted 02-03-2003 09:40 PM ET (US)
I understand this gentleman designed the 1998 17' Outrage model I now own. If so, he has as good an eye for styling as for functionality. The boat not only has beautiful lines, it also provides a more comfortable ride than the classics because of its deep V hull configuration and yet rivals the classics for keeping bow spray out of the boat. I give this designer an A+ on this assignment.
lhg posted 02-04-2003 07:22 PM ET (US)
The Black Watch boats, where Van Lancker was President before joining Whaler, were designed by Ray Hunt. So now I'm wondering if Van Lancker, as Whaler's Chief Designer, hired Hunt to design the 21 and 23 Walkarounds of 1991. The boats are very similar in design lines to the Black Watch boats.
After leaving Whaler, Van Lancker was hired by OMC to head up their boat division. We all know what happened there. But the boat division was actually in good shape, and not the reason for the OMC bankruptcy. I also think SOME of Van Lanker's designs are the best of the post-classic Whalers. Some like the Rage and 16SL were not.
doobee posted 02-05-2003 12:06 AM ET (US)
I've heard many praises of the 21 and 23 Van Lancker Whalers. Those models came up during my stint at Whaler and I don't recall any mention of Hunt Associates being involved.
Hunt Associates did collaborate with Whaler on the design of their 36' Aluminum CPD boat and I also believe Ray Hunt helped Dick Fisher with the development of the 13.
jimh posted 02-05-2003 09:17 AM ET (US)
The story of the hull development of the 13-foot Whaler is presented in an article I wrote. It is online at
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/13/originalHullDesign.html
aurora posted 02-05-2003 08:04 PM ET (US)
I worked a Whaler with Peter until 1993 and was involved with the development of all models through that date as product manager. Peter was the Director/VP of Engineering. He managed te engineering side of the design process. He brought Hunt Assoc. on to design the new hulls including the 16', 21' and 23' hulls. In my opinion the 21' and 23' were great hulls. The 16' missed the mark. The 21 Outrage (cc) was one of the most researched and tested models ever at Whaler up to that point in time. Dealers, customers, employees, focus groups etc. all had input. The original 21 hull prototype looked like any other Hunt hull (certainly not bad but not Whaler) Peter had to be convinced to modify the topsides so as to be identifiable as a Whaler. It turned out pretty well in the end. The original Rage, exhibited fresh thinking on Peter's part but the compay couldn't manufacturer it at a price point that made a profit for the company. Peter and his team were very much involved in the design of the Rage hull. Many protypes and much trial and error produced a functional and fun small boat hull for the jet drive. Good luck to Peter with his new venture with Hunt in Mass.
PMUCCIOLO posted 02-06-2003 06:06 AM ET (US)
I spoke with Peter Van Lancker at length via telephone and in person at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. His fund of knowlege is virtually encyclopedic regarding Boston Whalers, the benefits and drawbacks of various hull configurations, and marine powerplants. His insights were quite informative when I was deciding between the Justice and Guardian hulls.
lhg posted 02-06-2003 03:02 PM ET (US)
Paul, on which hull type did you then decide, after talking with him? I would assume he would have been promoting his Justice hull over the Dougherty hulls.
To me, the 21, both in Walkaround and Outrage form, gets my vote as the best of the Reebock era models. The 21 Walkaround is an incredibly well outfitted and high quality boat. For me, it's only drawback was single engine capability, but that's a prejudice not many here share.
PMUCCIOLO posted 02-07-2003 03:18 AM ET (US)
Larry,
Peter gave equal time to both hull styles in our conversation. I'm still on the fence, as the only issue holding me up is the choice of consoles offered with the Guardian vs. the Justice. That dramatically changes the boat's character. I'm leaning heavily towards the Guardian.
Also, I am struggling with the possibility that I may not be able to buy the boat with a pre-rig other than the Mercury one.
NOTICE TO EVERYONE: I am NOT bashing Mercury engines, I'd just like to have the pre-rig of my choice installed at the factory as opposed to having it installed later. There is not that big of a difference in price, but Whaler's Commercial & Government Products does superior electrical work. I have witnessed their electricians at work and enjoy the fruits of their labor and experience every time I turn my key!
matawan posted 02-07-2003 10:22 AM ET (US)
I have a 2002 Justice 21 with twin 135 Optis,
with many options, let me know if you have any questions.

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Author	Topic: Former Whaler Designer Re-surfaces
jimh	posted 01-31-2003 10:28 PM ET (US) Boat company executive Peter Van Lancker who introduced Boston Whaler to six new hull designs in 1991, was recently mentioned in an article about Hunt Boats new 36-footer. See: http://powerandmotoryacht.about.com/library/weekly/september02/aa090802a.htm According to another article, Hunt Boats is a small semi-custom builder just formed recently. See: http://www.s-t.com/daily/01-02/01-20-02/d01bu120.htm
Barry	posted 01-31-2003 11:32 PM ET (US) That boat is one of the Innovation Award Entries at the Miami Boat Show. http://www.eshow2000.com/mibs/award_entries.cfm
zpeed7	posted 02-02-2003 01:54 PM ET (US) If I'm not mistaken, Hunt boats is owned by Ray Hunt Jr. the son of designer Ray Hunt of Bertam 31 fame. His colaboration with Van Lancker makes a very powerful team as his BW designs, at least in my opinion, are the best looking and best engineered ones of the "post-classic" BW's. They were truly heavy duty offshore boats. This is not surprising since his Black Watch boats were great offhore fishing machines. I've been fishing a few times in an Outrage 21 of that era and that boat can put a lot of bigger newer so called offshore fishing boats, including newer BW's, to shame.
whalerfran	posted 02-03-2003 09:40 PM ET (US) I understand this gentleman designed the 1998 17' Outrage model I now own. If so, he has as good an eye for styling as for functionality. The boat not only has beautiful lines, it also provides a more comfortable ride than the classics because of its deep V hull configuration and yet rivals the classics for keeping bow spray out of the boat. I give this designer an A+ on this assignment.
lhg	posted 02-04-2003 07:22 PM ET (US) The Black Watch boats, where Van Lancker was President before joining Whaler, were designed by Ray Hunt. So now I'm wondering if Van Lancker, as Whaler's Chief Designer, hired Hunt to design the 21 and 23 Walkarounds of 1991. The boats are very similar in design lines to the Black Watch boats. After leaving Whaler, Van Lancker was hired by OMC to head up their boat division. We all know what happened there. But the boat division was actually in good shape, and not the reason for the OMC bankruptcy. I also think SOME of Van Lanker's designs are the best of the post-classic Whalers. Some like the Rage and 16SL were not.
doobee	posted 02-05-2003 12:06 AM ET (US) I've heard many praises of the 21 and 23 Van Lancker Whalers. Those models came up during my stint at Whaler and I don't recall any mention of Hunt Associates being involved. Hunt Associates did collaborate with Whaler on the design of their 36' Aluminum CPD boat and I also believe Ray Hunt helped Dick Fisher with the development of the 13.
jimh	posted 02-05-2003 09:17 AM ET (US) The story of the hull development of the 13-foot Whaler is presented in an article I wrote. It is online at http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/13/originalHullDesign.html
aurora	posted 02-05-2003 08:04 PM ET (US) I worked a Whaler with Peter until 1993 and was involved with the development of all models through that date as product manager. Peter was the Director/VP of Engineering. He managed te engineering side of the design process. He brought Hunt Assoc. on to design the new hulls including the 16', 21' and 23' hulls. In my opinion the 21' and 23' were great hulls. The 16' missed the mark. The 21 Outrage (cc) was one of the most researched and tested models ever at Whaler up to that point in time. Dealers, customers, employees, focus groups etc. all had input. The original 21 hull prototype looked like any other Hunt hull (certainly not bad but not Whaler) Peter had to be convinced to modify the topsides so as to be identifiable as a Whaler. It turned out pretty well in the end. The original Rage, exhibited fresh thinking on Peter's part but the compay couldn't manufacturer it at a price point that made a profit for the company. Peter and his team were very much involved in the design of the Rage hull. Many protypes and much trial and error produced a functional and fun small boat hull for the jet drive. Good luck to Peter with his new venture with Hunt in Mass.
PMUCCIOLO	posted 02-06-2003 06:06 AM ET (US) I spoke with Peter Van Lancker at length via telephone and in person at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. His fund of knowlege is virtually encyclopedic regarding Boston Whalers, the benefits and drawbacks of various hull configurations, and marine powerplants. His insights were quite informative when I was deciding between the Justice and Guardian hulls.
lhg	posted 02-06-2003 03:02 PM ET (US) Paul, on which hull type did you then decide, after talking with him? I would assume he would have been promoting his Justice hull over the Dougherty hulls. To me, the 21, both in Walkaround and Outrage form, gets my vote as the best of the Reebock era models. The 21 Walkaround is an incredibly well outfitted and high quality boat. For me, it's only drawback was single engine capability, but that's a prejudice not many here share.
PMUCCIOLO	posted 02-07-2003 03:18 AM ET (US) Larry, Peter gave equal time to both hull styles in our conversation. I'm still on the fence, as the only issue holding me up is the choice of consoles offered with the Guardian vs. the Justice. That dramatically changes the boat's character. I'm leaning heavily towards the Guardian. Also, I am struggling with the possibility that I may not be able to buy the boat with a pre-rig other than the Mercury one. NOTICE TO EVERYONE: I am NOT bashing Mercury engines, I'd just like to have the pre-rig of my choice installed at the factory as opposed to having it installed later. There is not that big of a difference in price, but Whaler's Commercial & Government Products does superior electrical work. I have witnessed their electricians at work and enjoy the fruits of their labor and experience every time I turn my key!
matawan	posted 02-07-2003 10:22 AM ET (US) I have a 2002 Justice 21 with twin 135 Optis, with many options, let me know if you have any questions.