posted 06-19-2004 11:57 PM ET (US)        

[url] http://photos.yahoo.com/chrismarques2003[/url]

posted 06-20-2004 03:18 AM ET (US)            

It looks like a fine boat and is surely on my list if I ever upgrade. I think Boston Whaler is on the right track with it's Legend series. I'm sure there is a large market for this type of boat here in Western and Northern Europe. They offer better protection from the weather conditions compared to a center console boats. Up till now Boston Whaler could only offer the expensive Conquest. Now with the 205 Eastport they will surely win some customers over from the competitors.

Erik

posted 06-21-2004 10:27 AM ET (US)            

Thanks for the undercover "stealth" pictures. I've been thinking about getting a "family boat" and mooring it on the Sacramento River. This Eastport may give me more options. (Like being able to trailer it too.)

posted 06-21-2004 04:32 PM ET (US)            

[url]http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bw91walkaround/detail?.dir=/6014&.dnm=a51a.jpg[url]

I am also glad to see Boston Whaler enter the walkaround market after an absence of almost 11 years. Thankfully it continues in the Legend tradition with a square transom.

posted 06-22-2004 06:58 AM ET (US)            

I think that 21 W/A of yours is one heck of a beautiful looking boat. It is a pity they don't make them like that any more.
It looks much larger than the 205 Eastport but that could be an optical illusion because in Chris' pictures the boat is docked beside the 320 Outrage.
It would be great to see what the 205 Eastport looks like when fitted with some toys.
Dan is also right when he says that the 21 W/A looks safer than the Eastport when trying to get to the front of the boat. I guess that's the difference between a Walkaround and a Cuddy.

Erik

posted 06-22-2004 11:49 AM ET (US)            

Steve, that 21' walkaround of yours is a real nice boat. There is one on blocks at my marina that I pass by as I walk down to my boat. I usually spend a few minutes admiring it. I love the big flare of the bow.

Is the hull design of the 205 Eastport and the 21 walkaround "shared" by other models?

posted 06-22-2004 11:52 AM ET (US)            

Beautiful boat. I think I want one. My wife is going to be pissed.

posted 06-22-2004 12:17 PM ET (US)            

While most people love the clean lines of the 21’ and 23’ Walkarounds (’91-’93) and can’t understand why production only lasted three years, the bottom line is they did not sell. They were an expensive boat to buy and to manufacture. The 1991, 21’ came with hydraulic steering and marine head with 13 gal. holding tank, macerator, pump out, and overboard discharge as standard equipment. These were options on the ’92 and ’93 models in an effort to lower the base price. Still, they apparently did not sell and production ceased with the ’93 model run.

The one fact I’ve learned about boating over the years is that there is no perfect boat and every boat is a compromise. The 21’ Walkaround is certainly no exception.

PROS: Great overall trailerable cruiser. With the flytop, front/side curtains, and twin windshield wipers it is a fantastic foul-weather boat. Bow access is excellent for line handling, fishing, or anchor deployment. There is a huge flat area for flush-mounted electronics. The cabin, although somewhat cramped, is great for totally dry storage and overnighting. The 6’6” V-berths are perfectly horizontal. It will run into head seas at speed with a soft entry and very little pounding. With the helm area moved farther back (than conventional cuddy designs like Grady) the helmsman enjoys a softer ride.

CONS: At speed, in quartering seas, the deeper V becomes apparent and there is considerable bow steer and wandering. At times this can be almost comical! The inherent arrow-straight tracking of the classic Outrages is not there. The deeper V requires more power, than the classic hulls, to get on plane. With the helm area moved farther back (than conventional cuddy designs like Grady) there is less cockpit space.

The LOA of the 21' Walkaround hull is listed at 21', but the 1994 21' Outrage hull is listed at 20'9". The hulls appear identical, but apparently there is a difference.

Looking at Chris’s Eastport pictures, it appears the helm area is shoved forward (ala Grady/Conquest) more than the 21 and the cabin is taller resulting in a stubby (bottle-nose dolphin?) profile. The taller cabin probably has more interior headroom than the 21, which is marginal at best. Overall, I think the Eastport is a refreshing/much needed addition to the Whaler line and will be a popular model. I look forward to seeing one in person.

posted 06-22-2004 12:31 PM ET (US)            

I've heard that a 6 foot person can comfortably sleep in the cabin. The cockpit is also suppose to be quite large.

The dealer says I have to see this boat before making a decision on any comparable boat.

posted 06-22-2004 08:33 PM ET (US)            

Everyone should get a Toyota but they will "want" the Lexus.

It's the "boys with their toys" type of mentality.

posted 06-22-2004 08:41 PM ET (US)            

You say the first Eastport will be delivered to Northern California.
Where in Northern California would that be?
Cresent City?
Yreka?
Eureka?
Bakersfield?

California is a long state (about 900 miles) and everyone thinks they live in Northern California (which they think Northern California is 800 miles long).

Please be specific.........

posted 06-22-2004 08:53 PM ET (US)            

Outboard Motor Shop, Alameda, CA. (Oakland)

For $1000 deposit you can get in line. Dealers want 10 or more Eastports but will get 5-6.

Call the dealer nearest to you and ask about delivery of Eastports.

posted 06-22-2004 09:16 PM ET (US)            

FYI.

There have only been 2 Boston Whaler deals in California. Outboard Motor Shop in Alameda (Northern California) and Schock Boats in Newport Beach (Southern California).

Boston Whaler recently added another dealer, Placer Marine in Loomis. (Near Sacramento.)

posted 06-22-2004 09:58 PM ET (US)            

You must be young. (no offense whatsoever meant)

Up until 5 years ago (or so), one of the biggest Boston Whaler Dealers in true Northern California was "Morris & Company" out of Weaverville, California.

Do you know where Weaverville is Northern California? You may not know and that is why I would always like people to be more specific when they say "Northern California".

I spent many days and hours looking over all the Whalers that Dick Morris had in stock. At that time, late 80's and 90's, he had a minimum of 1 of every new model Whaler on his lot that Whaler offered at that time, plus his vast used line of Whalers.

Dick Morris sold his company and retired to the San Juan's with one (maybe more) of his Whalers. I believe it was a 22' Revenge.

When Dick closed his doors in our area, Boston Whalers were very hard to come by here. Dick, if you are out there, we (in Upstate California) miss you......
He probably is having a great time doing whatever he is doing. He had one of the best Whaler dealerships I had ever been to. Even to this day, I have not been to a dealership that had the things in stock that he did. Boats, Parts, and more Parts. He had almost everything in stock.

I used to live in Southern California and used to deal with Shock Boats back in the 70's.
Now, here is another one for all you youngsters.
There was also another Boston Whaler dealer on the border of Long Beach and Seal Beach back in 1975. I forget the name, but I purchased my used 13' Whaler from one of their mechaincs back then.

Another Whaler dealership that has been closed was Port & Starboard marine out of Sant Clara.

So, there were at least two (3) more "California" Boston Whaler dealers that you obviously never new about. I'm sure there have been more.

Thanks for letting me know the exact location of the dealer you were referring to.

posted 06-22-2004 10:38 PM ET (US)            

You seem to have a lot of inside information. Do you, or anyone else for that matter, know if Boston Whaler has plans for a 23 foot walk around in the near future? I'd heard the rumor of the 23 footer a few times and would just like to confirm it.

posted 06-22-2004 10:43 PM ET (US)            

I stand corrected. I meant to say that until recently (12 months) there were only 2 active BW dealers in California.

No offense taken regarding my age. I'm a young buck at 48 and never drove a boat until this year.

Joe just in case you haven't heard the John Maynard/Salmon Tournament will be meeting either Sunday August 29th or Sept 5th.,7AM at the North end of the Golden Gate Bridge.

WT

posted 06-22-2004 10:46 PM ET (US)            

I heard there is a 23 Walkaround on the drawing boards (cardboard models) but nothing made of fiberglass yet.

posted 06-22-2004 11:02 PM ET (US)            

WOW! You're a fountain of information. Can't wait to see the first spy photos of a 23' (Eastport/Conquest). Hope they keep the price under control.

posted 06-22-2004 11:12 PM ET (US)            

Just as I figured. You are young...... :-)

I have heard about the adventure with John Maynard and am trying to fit it into my schedule.

Several "Northern California" residents down there in your area are good friends of mine. I hope I can make it but my schedule is tight that time of year.

What took you so long to get into boating?
Airplanes?
Fast Cars?
I won't ask you about fast Women?

posted 06-22-2004 11:22 PM ET (US)            

So there was a dealer in pasadena in 1979.

This is per Chuck Bennet

posted 06-22-2004 11:44 PM ET (US)            

I'm actually a boring guy. I've lived in the same house for the last 24 years, been married to the same woman for 24 years and even owned my car for 18 years. (1986 Mercedes diesel with 373,000 miles).

I've been fishing for salmon off my jetski for the last 3 years on the Sacramento River. Boaters are amazed when they see me getting pulled around by a salmon.

Anyway, because I wanted a versatile fishing boat that would allow me to:
1) Fish the nearby lakes for bass.
2) Fish the Sacramento Delta for stripper and black bass
3) Fish the Sacramento River for Salmon.
4) Fish the Pacific Ocean for everything else.

Some friends told me "the" boat for what I wanted to do was the Montauk.

I've been thinking of getting a boat that I always have moored so that I can go out on the river for just a couple of hours and not having to go through the whole brain damage of trailering/launching/storing the boat. And I want that boat to have a cabin so that I can sleep out on the river if need be. Also, trailering the boat sounds like a great option.

Maybe the Eastport will fill the order.

WT

posted 06-23-2004 02:54 AM ET (US)            

Don't forget Marin Boat House in San Rafael, right on the canal. Chuck Fillingame was, I believe, the first Boston Whaler dealer on the West Coast. He was even featured in Life magazine back in the 60's. The article and pictures were of him and a 16 on the bay.I bought my 13 from him in 1984, and spent many hours just looking at different Whalers and talking.

I remember Morris and Co. . I drove by them once while driving that winding road in fron the coast toward Shasta and Trinity Lake. I remember making that little turn into Weaverville and seeing a 25 Whaler staring at me. Up here? In the mountains!? They did have a lot of boats in inventory.

Blue Porpoise Marine in Southern Cal was another Whaler dealer. A buddy got a Montauk with a Merc 90 4S and fishing package on a galvanized TrailRite trailer new in 1998 for $18,900.