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Author Topic:   Vigilant 32--The Biggest Classic of All

Whaler27 posted 10-15-2004 04:31 PM ET (US)
Now that Whaler27 is heading off to a new family here from
Continuous Whaler, I thought I would start to share the story of my new dream Whaler - Vigilant 32'.
After trying to purchase this boat for three years or so, the seller finally came to his senses and let Vigilant out of the shipyard warehouse where she had spent most of her life..
Vigilant 32' was built by the commercial division of Boston Whaler in 1992/93. The boat was custom ordered by her one and only owner at the Miami Boat show in 1992. This boat model was originally built for the military in a short run of four, and this is the only one sold to a private party. Today BW produces a Vigilant in the 27' hull, same as my Whaler27!
The boat is 32' x 11'10". It has a walk around pilot house with 6'8" of head room, below is a cuddy cabin with the same head room which is great for me since I am 6'6".
She has never been fished, there are no rod holders, bait tanks, etc. The electronics were top notch for the day 1993, but we are stripping the house and starting with new stuff.
It all started with a visit to N.Y.
I met the owner of Sparkman & Stephens in Grand Central Station, New York City, N.Y
http://www.yourfishpictures.com/data/500/139v1-med.jpg
We took the train out to Mamaroneck to see the boat at the famed Derecktor Shipyards.
http://www.yourfishpictures.com/data/500/139v2-med.jpg
The boat was shipped via air ride trailer by Great Lakes Marine Transport, and dropped off at Basin Marine in Newport Beach.
http://www.yourfishpictures.com/data/500/139v3-med.jpg
Vigilant's custom Aluminum trailer built by Alex of ABTrailers.com
http://www.yourfishpictures.com/data/500/139v4-med.jpg
Coming out of the water on the trailer for the first time
http://www.yourfishpictures.com/data/500/139v5-med.jpg
The rig, high and dry, with a new truck soon to come!
http://www.yourfishpictures.com/data/500/139v6-med.jpg
Heading home to make a fishing machine out of her!!
Hope to see you on the water soon...

phatwhaler posted 10-15-2004 05:03 PM ET (US)
[Fixed links--thanks!]
jmarlo posted 10-15-2004 05:10 PM ET (US)
That ramp looks suspiciously like Newport Dunes. Hope to see you there someday.
Whaler27 posted 10-15-2004 05:17 PM ET (US)
Yes, it was shipped to Dave New @ Basin Marine in Newport Beach, and once the trailer was ready we hauled her at the dunes. High tide of course!!
She will be back on the water for break in time in a couple of weeks. I just live up the road in Costa Mesa! Hope to see you out there soon!
jmarlo posted 10-15-2004 05:18 PM ET (US)
That is one beautiful whaler. With an interesting history as well.
jmarlo posted 10-15-2004 05:21 PM ET (US)
Was your 27 Whaler in Schock's tournament this past July? I saw three 27 coming out of the water all at the same time, it was quite a sight.
Whaler27 posted 10-15-2004 05:28 PM ET (US)
Yes, we usually do the Schock event each year.
You probably saw both my brother and I, he had a walk around 27 with whaler drive. We both sold them to go in on the Vigilant 32'
We took first place in the Bass divison and 1st place in the kids girls division! Great yearly event. My Whaler27 has taken us to at least 5 tourney wins in the past. Great platform to fish from!
LHG posted 10-15-2004 05:57 PM ET (US)
That's a fabulous boat, built on the discontinued Whaler 31 hull. Always thought the commercial version was the boat's best application. The recreational models seemed bow heavy at rest.
I understand that BW made one in outboard center console version, something Dougherty was interested in pursuing.
Have no idea what ever happened to that hull, never saw it, just read about it.
I have seen two others. One owned by the Michigan Dept of Conservation, seen in Charlevoix MI. Hasn't been around there in several years, though. I ssem to remember twin Mercruiser sterndrive diesel power. The other was at Lauderdale Marina, and was built for a private owner in Cape Town, South Africa. They were preparing it for shipment.
It's interesting to see that this boat was owned by the famous Yacht design firm.
alkar posted 10-16-2004 12:27 AM ET (US)
She's a beauty, Rory. Looks like she hasn't had much use. Why was she stuck in storage all that time?
Have you made any progress on the repower decision?
Even the trailer is a work of art. Another custom job?
hardensheetmetal posted 10-16-2004 07:01 AM ET (US)
That is a beautiful and unique Whaler. I had been watching another CPD boat in the same area several years ago. I believe it was one of the aluminum hull models (36'?)manyfactured for Whaler in Washington, and was located in Greenwich, CT I believe. I think that boat had twin Cats.
The person that might be able to give you some additional history on your boat would be Paul Hureau, the owner of Maritime Skiff. For several years he was pretty high up at CPD. He may have already moved on in 1993.
Dan
hardensheetmetal posted 10-16-2004 07:07 AM ET (US)
Actually, that boat [hyperlink to temporary page showing listing of Boston Whaler 36 DEFIANCE at $429,000 asking price in Connecticut and sale pending] was still around and may have just been sold. Dan
fishin mission posted 10-16-2004 08:52 AM ET (US)
Awesome boat, I always liked the way they look. The pilot house is really something special and useful especially with all that headroom. Sharp boat!!
WSTEFFENS posted 10-16-2004 01:28 PM ET (US)
27: I learn something every day. I was under the impression that all 31-foot hulls were inboards! Where do the engines sit? Are they midship with long drive shafts or are they back at the transom? By the way a very good looking boat! Later, WLS
hardensheetmetal posted 10-16-2004 07:40 PM ET (US)
Jim- Thanks for fixing that, I thought it looked a little long.
Dan
sjohnson posted 10-18-2004 12:26 AM ET (US)
Be sure to document the process, I'm sure we'd all like to see Jim post a page on the transformation . . .
Glad to see she went to a good home.
-SJ
devildog posted 10-18-2004 08:55 AM ET (US)
Sweeeet!!!
thekidd posted 10-18-2004 04:30 PM ET (US)
Very Nice boat. And with a partner...upgrades are only half as much!
Cnmi31BW posted 10-19-2004 01:12 AM ET (US)
I saw that boat for sale on boats.com a few months ago. If it wasn't for the gas engines we would have purchased it. We were looking at replacing the engines with diesels but it was too costly so we went with the express style 31. That boat looks really nice and was the one I wanted but too bad it had gas engines.
alkar posted 10-19-2004 02:25 AM ET (US)
Rory and his brother are going to repower it. I think Rory said they're leaning towards diesels.
Amazingly, diesel costs more than premium here. What is this world coming to?
daverdla posted 10-19-2004 07:42 AM ET (US)
I'm paying about the same as premium here, Philadelphia area, for diesel for my car. When the prices first spiked earlier in the year I was paying around $.20 less for diesel than regular.
Dave
Knockerjoe posted 10-20-2004 08:01 PM ET (US)
Nice Boat!!! What power? Are those mercruisers?
Whaler27 posted 10-27-2004 03:00 AM ET (US)
Vigilant has twin 380h.p. 454cid Mercruisers with Bravo II outdrives and Latham offshore steering.
The motors have approx 8-10 hours since high performance rebuild. Were going to run her for a while and burn some gas.
Early testing had us running dry headlong into 5-7 ft seas at 35 knots.
Diesels may be in the future, or what about twin 300 hp four strokes on a gill bracket! I would have some hugh fish holds then!
For now we are re-rigging with updated electronics, bait systems, tuna tubes, tower, rod holders, bunks, seating, railing, bow pulpit, anchoring system, bow eye, underwater lighting, salt & fresh water washdowns, etc.......
Cnmi31BW posted 10-27-2004 04:54 AM ET (US)
I'd love to see some pics of it when you get it set up or in progress. I really wanted that boat but my dad wanted diesels
Whaler27 posted 10-27-2004 04:12 PM ET (US)
Thank God for Gassers!!!
I waited three years to finally get a deal done with the seller. I knew all along that people were passing on her due to the powerplants, especially the outdrives. This is why she is now living on a trailer at my house!
I looked at many 31's including the 31L with 300 Cummins. Those engines are now over 13-14 years old and the technology is much better for newer diesels. Did your Dad know you can bolt several models of diesel power right to these Bravo II's?
I am sure you and your family will enjoy many hours of fun on your 31, they are great boats. I will keep some posts going as I take pictures of our upgrades to Vigilant.
LHG posted 10-27-2004 04:27 PM ET (US)
I think that boat is itching for TRIPLE or QUADRUPLE, Armstrong bracketed, 30", 275 Verados. (like they set up the Midnight Express 39 Customs interceptors)
Cnmi31BW posted 10-28-2004 01:46 AM ET (US)
I knew that you could get diesels bolted up there but the costs would end up pretty high for what my dad wanted to pay. I personally didn't care if it was gas or diesel I just wanted it but he wanted diesels. We started off with a brand new bw 25 frontier back in 82 and had that up until about 2002 when he got a 42 foot Ocean Alexander. Being that we are from a small island he had to buy this other boat from one of his friends to get the slip so we ended up with a 29 ft boat which I can't recall the make just to get the slip to park his boat. That 29 ft boat we moved to a different island and we ended up with another 27 ft luhrs. I kept harrassing them on why they didn't get another whaler to begin with so the next boat ended up being 31 whaler. The 27 ft luhrs needs a new inboard and the 29ft just had the engine rebuilt but its a single inboard also. I'm going to put and engine in the luhrs and sell both and get a 27 whaler that will be all mine. My goal since I couldn't get the vigilant you got lol is to get a 27 challenger or vigilant and rig it up trolling. My dad is more of a bottom fisherman than trolling. Its nice to see that boat went to a nice person instead of someone who would run it into the ground and leave it for dead. I saw the brochure my dad brought home when I was a kid back in 82 when he came back from buying our 25 frontier and I saw a bulldozer on top of a hull and another hull cut into 3 pieces and after that it was the only boat I would ever own. Hopefully one day my dad decides to sell his and the other boats and order a custom 32 vigilant hehe.

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Author	Topic: Vigilant 32--The Biggest Classic of All
Whaler27	posted 10-15-2004 04:31 PM ET (US) Now that Whaler27 is heading off to a new family here from Continuous Whaler, I thought I would start to share the story of my new dream Whaler - Vigilant 32'. After trying to purchase this boat for three years or so, the seller finally came to his senses and let Vigilant out of the shipyard warehouse where she had spent most of her life.. Vigilant 32' was built by the commercial division of Boston Whaler in 1992/93. The boat was custom ordered by her one and only owner at the Miami Boat show in 1992. This boat model was originally built for the military in a short run of four, and this is the only one sold to a private party. Today BW produces a Vigilant in the 27' hull, same as my Whaler27! The boat is 32' x 11'10". It has a walk around pilot house with 6'8" of head room, below is a cuddy cabin with the same head room which is great for me since I am 6'6". She has never been fished, there are no rod holders, bait tanks, etc. The electronics were top notch for the day 1993, but we are stripping the house and starting with new stuff. It all started with a visit to N.Y. I met the owner of Sparkman & Stephens in Grand Central Station, New York City, N.Y http://www.yourfishpictures.com/data/500/139v1-med.jpg We took the train out to Mamaroneck to see the boat at the famed Derecktor Shipyards. http://www.yourfishpictures.com/data/500/139v2-med.jpg The boat was shipped via air ride trailer by Great Lakes Marine Transport, and dropped off at Basin Marine in Newport Beach. http://www.yourfishpictures.com/data/500/139v3-med.jpg Vigilant's custom Aluminum trailer built by Alex of ABTrailers.com http://www.yourfishpictures.com/data/500/139v4-med.jpg Coming out of the water on the trailer for the first time http://www.yourfishpictures.com/data/500/139v5-med.jpg The rig, high and dry, with a new truck soon to come! http://www.yourfishpictures.com/data/500/139v6-med.jpg Heading home to make a fishing machine out of her!! Hope to see you on the water soon...
phatwhaler	posted 10-15-2004 05:03 PM ET (US) [Fixed links--thanks!]
jmarlo	posted 10-15-2004 05:10 PM ET (US) That ramp looks suspiciously like Newport Dunes. Hope to see you there someday.
Whaler27	posted 10-15-2004 05:17 PM ET (US) Yes, it was shipped to Dave New @ Basin Marine in Newport Beach, and once the trailer was ready we hauled her at the dunes. High tide of course!! She will be back on the water for break in time in a couple of weeks. I just live up the road in Costa Mesa! Hope to see you out there soon!
jmarlo	posted 10-15-2004 05:18 PM ET (US) That is one beautiful whaler. With an interesting history as well.
jmarlo	posted 10-15-2004 05:21 PM ET (US) Was your 27 Whaler in Schock's tournament this past July? I saw three 27 coming out of the water all at the same time, it was quite a sight.
Whaler27	posted 10-15-2004 05:28 PM ET (US) Yes, we usually do the Schock event each year. You probably saw both my brother and I, he had a walk around 27 with whaler drive. We both sold them to go in on the Vigilant 32' We took first place in the Bass divison and 1st place in the kids girls division! Great yearly event. My Whaler27 has taken us to at least 5 tourney wins in the past. Great platform to fish from!
LHG	posted 10-15-2004 05:57 PM ET (US) That's a fabulous boat, built on the discontinued Whaler 31 hull. Always thought the commercial version was the boat's best application. The recreational models seemed bow heavy at rest. I understand that BW made one in outboard center console version, something Dougherty was interested in pursuing. Have no idea what ever happened to that hull, never saw it, just read about it. I have seen two others. One owned by the Michigan Dept of Conservation, seen in Charlevoix MI. Hasn't been around there in several years, though. I ssem to remember twin Mercruiser sterndrive diesel power. The other was at Lauderdale Marina, and was built for a private owner in Cape Town, South Africa. They were preparing it for shipment. It's interesting to see that this boat was owned by the famous Yacht design firm.
alkar	posted 10-16-2004 12:27 AM ET (US) She's a beauty, Rory. Looks like she hasn't had much use. Why was she stuck in storage all that time? Have you made any progress on the repower decision? Even the trailer is a work of art. Another custom job?
hardensheetmetal	posted 10-16-2004 07:01 AM ET (US) That is a beautiful and unique Whaler. I had been watching another CPD boat in the same area several years ago. I believe it was one of the aluminum hull models (36'?)manyfactured for Whaler in Washington, and was located in Greenwich, CT I believe. I think that boat had twin Cats. The person that might be able to give you some additional history on your boat would be Paul Hureau, the owner of Maritime Skiff. For several years he was pretty high up at CPD. He may have already moved on in 1993. Dan
hardensheetmetal	posted 10-16-2004 07:07 AM ET (US) Actually, that boat [hyperlink to temporary page showing listing of Boston Whaler 36 DEFIANCE at $429,000 asking price in Connecticut and sale pending] was still around and may have just been sold. Dan
fishin mission	posted 10-16-2004 08:52 AM ET (US) Awesome boat, I always liked the way they look. The pilot house is really something special and useful especially with all that headroom. Sharp boat!!
WSTEFFENS	posted 10-16-2004 01:28 PM ET (US) 27: I learn something every day. I was under the impression that all 31-foot hulls were inboards! Where do the engines sit? Are they midship with long drive shafts or are they back at the transom? By the way a very good looking boat! Later, WLS
hardensheetmetal	posted 10-16-2004 07:40 PM ET (US) Jim- Thanks for fixing that, I thought it looked a little long. Dan
sjohnson	posted 10-18-2004 12:26 AM ET (US) Be sure to document the process, I'm sure we'd all like to see Jim post a page on the transformation . . . Glad to see she went to a good home. -SJ
devildog	posted 10-18-2004 08:55 AM ET (US) Sweeeet!!!
thekidd	posted 10-18-2004 04:30 PM ET (US) Very Nice boat. And with a partner...upgrades are only half as much!
Cnmi31BW	posted 10-19-2004 01:12 AM ET (US) I saw that boat for sale on boats.com a few months ago. If it wasn't for the gas engines we would have purchased it. We were looking at replacing the engines with diesels but it was too costly so we went with the express style 31. That boat looks really nice and was the one I wanted but too bad it had gas engines.
alkar	posted 10-19-2004 02:25 AM ET (US) Rory and his brother are going to repower it. I think Rory said they're leaning towards diesels. Amazingly, diesel costs more than premium here. What is this world coming to?
daverdla	posted 10-19-2004 07:42 AM ET (US) I'm paying about the same as premium here, Philadelphia area, for diesel for my car. When the prices first spiked earlier in the year I was paying around $.20 less for diesel than regular. Dave
Knockerjoe	posted 10-20-2004 08:01 PM ET (US) Nice Boat!!! What power? Are those mercruisers?
Whaler27	posted 10-27-2004 03:00 AM ET (US) Vigilant has twin 380h.p. 454cid Mercruisers with Bravo II outdrives and Latham offshore steering. The motors have approx 8-10 hours since high performance rebuild. Were going to run her for a while and burn some gas. Early testing had us running dry headlong into 5-7 ft seas at 35 knots. Diesels may be in the future, or what about twin 300 hp four strokes on a gill bracket! I would have some hugh fish holds then! For now we are re-rigging with updated electronics, bait systems, tuna tubes, tower, rod holders, bunks, seating, railing, bow pulpit, anchoring system, bow eye, underwater lighting, salt & fresh water washdowns, etc.......
Cnmi31BW	posted 10-27-2004 04:54 AM ET (US) I'd love to see some pics of it when you get it set up or in progress. I really wanted that boat but my dad wanted diesels
Whaler27	posted 10-27-2004 04:12 PM ET (US) Thank God for Gassers!!! I waited three years to finally get a deal done with the seller. I knew all along that people were passing on her due to the powerplants, especially the outdrives. This is why she is now living on a trailer at my house! I looked at many 31's including the 31L with 300 Cummins. Those engines are now over 13-14 years old and the technology is much better for newer diesels. Did your Dad know you can bolt several models of diesel power right to these Bravo II's? I am sure you and your family will enjoy many hours of fun on your 31, they are great boats. I will keep some posts going as I take pictures of our upgrades to Vigilant.
LHG	posted 10-27-2004 04:27 PM ET (US) I think that boat is itching for TRIPLE or QUADRUPLE, Armstrong bracketed, 30", 275 Verados. (like they set up the Midnight Express 39 Customs interceptors)
Cnmi31BW	posted 10-28-2004 01:46 AM ET (US) I knew that you could get diesels bolted up there but the costs would end up pretty high for what my dad wanted to pay. I personally didn't care if it was gas or diesel I just wanted it but he wanted diesels. We started off with a brand new bw 25 frontier back in 82 and had that up until about 2002 when he got a 42 foot Ocean Alexander. Being that we are from a small island he had to buy this other boat from one of his friends to get the slip so we ended up with a 29 ft boat which I can't recall the make just to get the slip to park his boat. That 29 ft boat we moved to a different island and we ended up with another 27 ft luhrs. I kept harrassing them on why they didn't get another whaler to begin with so the next boat ended up being 31 whaler. The 27 ft luhrs needs a new inboard and the 29ft just had the engine rebuilt but its a single inboard also. I'm going to put and engine in the luhrs and sell both and get a 27 whaler that will be all mine. My goal since I couldn't get the vigilant you got lol is to get a 27 challenger or vigilant and rig it up trolling. My dad is more of a bottom fisherman than trolling. Its nice to see that boat went to a nice person instead of someone who would run it into the ground and leave it for dead. I saw the brochure my dad brought home when I was a kid back in 82 when he came back from buying our 25 frontier and I saw a bulldozer on top of a hull and another hull cut into 3 pieces and after that it was the only boat I would ever own. Hopefully one day my dad decides to sell his and the other boats and order a custom 32 vigilant hehe.