Survey: Does your 15-foot Whaler Fit in Your Garage

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Author Topic:   Survey: Does your 15-foot Whaler Fit in Your Garage

Nevek posted 09-01-2011 04:39 PM ET (US)
Does your 15-foot Boston Whaler boat fit in your garage?
I would like to be able to store my 15-foot Boston Whaler boat on one side of my two-car garage. I know the 13-foot Boston Whaler boat will fit in there, but I am not sure about the 15-foot Boston Whaler boat.
What about with an aluminum trailer. It seems like the aluminum trailers are slightly longer then some galvanized trailers.
Chuck Tribolet posted 09-01-2011 04:45 PM ET (US)
You can always put a swingaway or removable tongue on the trailer.

My Montauk fits in my garage, with a removable tongue.

Chuck
contender posted 09-01-2011 04:55 PM ET (US)
This question is subjective...Depends on the size of your garage... garages are made different sizes every where depending on the home and lot. I have a 16'7" whaler in my garage, sits on an old Horizon Galvanized trailer. I have about 2 feet left over, from the tongue tip to the wall and about 3.5 feet from the rear of the engine to the inside of the garage door...
contender posted 09-01-2011 04:58 PM ET (US)
Nevek: better than a swing away make a solid sleeve that will slide inside the tongue. Then you can pin it with the same pins used for trailer hitches... Stronger and cheaper to make...
pcrussell50 posted 09-01-2011 05:08 PM ET (US)
I have a 15' Hydrostream Viper that fits in 20' of depth of an ordinary garage, (just). there is a workbench taking up the rest of the 4' of garage depth. the trailer tongue is not long or short, just kind of average. I think I had to tilt the motor down so it's vertical, otherwise it makes it "longer". The Viper is a full 15", not a shorter increment.
-Peter
tedious posted 09-01-2011 05:27 PM ET (US)
I installed a swing-away tongue on my 15's galvanized trailer, and it now fits fine in a fairly short one-car garage at my in-laws in Maine. Without the swing tongue, it fit fine in my larger garage at home. You'll need to measure the trailer and garage you have - all are different.
The swing tongue kit that I used, and all others I have seen, would not work on aluminum I-beam style trailers - they only work on square tubes.
Tim
jimh posted 09-01-2011 06:17 PM ET (US)
My 15-foot Boston Whaler fit in my garage.
weekendwarrior posted 09-01-2011 07:06 PM ET (US)
You're going to have to measure the boat on the trailer. Trailers are all different sizes. My new one, for the same boat, is a couple feet longer than my old one.
Hal Watkins posted 09-01-2011 08:41 PM ET (US)
Size matters....the garage size. I stored our 170 Montauk, a Honda Accord and a Ford Expolorer in our condo garage and we could even get in and out of the vehicles without door dings. I think the garage was 25'X25'.
BobL posted 09-01-2011 09:49 PM ET (US)
My 15-foot Boston Whaler fits in a single-car garage without trailer modification but must be angled to fit. In a two-car garage, the same boat and trailer combination fits in a two-car garage (different house) a little more comfortably but still needs to be angled.
AllanR posted 09-01-2011 09:57 PM ET (US)
My 16.7 foot 1994 Montauk fits in my garage with a slightly oversized Performance trailer.
I have to slide it in exactly, with the engine turned and tilted down, and the prop just fits against the back wall. The tongue of the trailer is about an inch from the garage door when it is down. But I don't have to turn the boat at all. It fits straight.
Before I bought it, I measured everything exactly.
A 15 footer in an average garage should fit fine. Just check how it measures on whatever trailer you will have.
I love it as it is great to have it well protected and yet I can do almost anything with this boat. Especially with the hurricane/storms we can get down here in South Florida.
djahncke posted 09-01-2011 10:18 PM ET (US)

Over the past 26 years I have kept my 15 foot Sport in three different garages. Never a problem to get it in, but sometimes a problem to climb around it to get something on the other side of the garage.
zotcha posted 09-01-2011 10:36 PM ET (US)
Every 15'3" Sport fits in a 22' garage. Jack plate? How long is the trailer? Extended tongue for shallower ramps/clearance from Clarence from tow vehicle? Removable tongue? Swing tongue? Shaven mufflers? All spec.'s required for trailer builder... zotcha.
Waterwonderland posted 09-01-2011 11:48 PM ET (US)
Yes.
Tohsgib posted 09-02-2011 12:56 AM ET (US)
No...I don't have a 15'.
domlynch posted 09-02-2011 01:57 AM ET (US)
Same as Contender - I have a Montauk in my garage,at first I never thought it would fit - it depends on garage size - take measurements.
A tape is a good lie detector...
My garage is deep (long) & reasonably wide - no probs there - check for height clearance at your garage (easy with a tape)- and check if you can push the rig in.(I could push my Montauk in with 2 others - mostly 2 providing the horsepower, the other person as a guide to avoid hitting walls).
Despite what some say, I find the Montauk a heavy boat for its size (due to great build quality), well beyond just me using it - it needs at least 2 guys to manouver. If on my onw there's no way I could garage it.
In my case I'm the issue was getting her in as I'm in apartments with other garages nearby i.e. the area has constricted turning radii (paths) - this is difficult to check with a tape - easiest by trying the rig with assistants.
Take your measurements then if the garage is big enough give it a go & you may be pleasantly suprised.
dgoodhue posted 09-02-2011 07:10 AM ET (US)
Mine fits with a regular tongue. It would not fit as into some of the smaller garage's that wouldn't fit a full size SUV.
andrey320 posted 09-02-2011 10:42 AM ET (US)
My 15 Dauntless BARELY fits into the garage. There is probably a total of 4 inches combined space left behind the engine and in front of the removable tongue end. I also have to take one of the door bracket bolts off to get the console grab rail to fit. Measure five times before buying.
Nevek posted 09-02-2011 02:22 PM ET (US)
Thanks,
I wondered how that would work if I bought an aluminum trailer. Is the fold away or removable tongue just not an option on aluminum trailers? I am in the process of buying a trailer and although I really want to go with aluminum for the saltwater, the galvanized tilt trailer seems to be the smallest by over a foot and a half.
rong posted 09-02-2011 02:27 PM ET (US)
measure the garage and measure the trailer??
contender posted 09-02-2011 04:15 PM ET (US)
nevek: when you purchase the trailer you can have different length of center beam either cut or put in/on your trailer to custom your length...Shorter trailer is just harder to back up, nice to have a longer tongue...
Binkster posted 09-02-2011 11:34 PM ET (US)
Most garages vary between 20 to 22 feet long. Single car is 12 feet wide and two car is 20 feet wide, inside dimentions. 25' long by 30' wide is ideal when you build your new house. This country needs new homes, builders are starving LOL.
squallman posted 09-03-2011 11:21 AM ET (US)
whats the brand name of the swing away kit?? Thanks
Nevek posted 09-06-2011 06:18 PM ET (US)
Well my garage is only 18' long so it looks like I am going to go for a trailer around 17' feet long. I am going to talk to the dealer tomorrow and see if there are any aluminum trailers in this length but so far it looks like my only option is a galvanized tilt trailer.
Tohsgib posted 09-06-2011 06:23 PM ET (US)
Remember you have an outboard on the stern. 18' garage is pretty small, especially if you own a Caddy.
Chuck Tribolet posted 09-06-2011 06:28 PM ET (US)
Longer tongue also keeps the truck drier. That's important
if you launch in salt water.
I rolled over 200,000 miles in the Pathfinder a week ago. And
about 700 saltwater launches and retrievals. The trailer
hitch receiver is a bit rusty but the truck itself is fine.

Chuck
tedious posted 09-07-2011 10:30 AM ET (US)
The coupler I used is a Fulton brand, bolt-on coupler for a 3x3 tube, good for up to 5K trailer weight. It is also available for different sizes, and in weld-on versions.
18 feet is a really, really short garage - I suspect the boat and motor alone are probably 17'6" or maybe even a bit more. You are going to have to customize a trailer to fit in there. In addition to the swing tongue, you'll probably need a very short winch post. The good news is that the swing tongue can be up to 48" long so you'll still be able to have a longer trailer for good road manners - and it helps to be able to open the tailgate with the trailer attached.
Tim
Tom Ray posted 09-07-2011 10:48 AM ET (US)
On galvanized vs aluminum trailers:
My opinion is that the main advantage of aluminum is lighter weight, which is not a big concern for 15 Whaler owners. It gets to be a concern at larger sizes, but few have a tow vehicle so small as to make a 15 Whaler a heavy load.
As for corrosion, the parts that fail tend to be rustable anyway, no matter what the frame is made from. There are no aluminum leaf springs, no aluminum axles, and no aluminum U bolts. Those parts will rust away, unless you are like me and willing to spend the money on stainless U bolts.
No garage here. [url=http://www.tropicalboating.com/boat-repairs/whaler-conversion.html]Our 15 Whaler[/url] lives under my office, which is on stilts. I could fit a longer boat, but not anything much taller. My 17' sailboat has to live out under a tent because it is a bit too tall to go under the house.
Nevek posted 09-07-2011 11:02 AM ET (US)
Yeah unfortunately all these cookie cutter homes they build in FL are lacking in the garage department. I have fit my parents 13' Whaler in this garage on one side and that sits on a trailer that was previously for a 15' Whaler. I believe we had the trailer slightly angled but we were able to fit another car in the garage. Another option is to just leave it outside under a cover but I would prefer it to be inside. I need to talk to the local dealer and see what he thinks can be done.

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Author	Topic: Survey: Does your 15-foot Whaler Fit in Your Garage
Nevek	posted 09-01-2011 04:39 PM ET (US) Does your 15-foot Boston Whaler boat fit in your garage? I would like to be able to store my 15-foot Boston Whaler boat on one side of my two-car garage. I know the 13-foot Boston Whaler boat will fit in there, but I am not sure about the 15-foot Boston Whaler boat. What about with an aluminum trailer. It seems like the aluminum trailers are slightly longer then some galvanized trailers.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 09-01-2011 04:45 PM ET (US) You can always put a swingaway or removable tongue on the trailer. My Montauk fits in my garage, with a removable tongue. Chuck
contender	posted 09-01-2011 04:55 PM ET (US) This question is subjective...Depends on the size of your garage... garages are made different sizes every where depending on the home and lot. I have a 16'7" whaler in my garage, sits on an old Horizon Galvanized trailer. I have about 2 feet left over, from the tongue tip to the wall and about 3.5 feet from the rear of the engine to the inside of the garage door...
contender	posted 09-01-2011 04:58 PM ET (US) Nevek: better than a swing away make a solid sleeve that will slide inside the tongue. Then you can pin it with the same pins used for trailer hitches... Stronger and cheaper to make...
pcrussell50	posted 09-01-2011 05:08 PM ET (US) I have a 15' Hydrostream Viper that fits in 20' of depth of an ordinary garage, (just). there is a workbench taking up the rest of the 4' of garage depth. the trailer tongue is not long or short, just kind of average. I think I had to tilt the motor down so it's vertical, otherwise it makes it "longer". The Viper is a full 15", not a shorter increment. -Peter
tedious	posted 09-01-2011 05:27 PM ET (US) I installed a swing-away tongue on my 15's galvanized trailer, and it now fits fine in a fairly short one-car garage at my in-laws in Maine. Without the swing tongue, it fit fine in my larger garage at home. You'll need to measure the trailer and garage you have - all are different. The swing tongue kit that I used, and all others I have seen, would not work on aluminum I-beam style trailers - they only work on square tubes. Tim
jimh	posted 09-01-2011 06:17 PM ET (US) My 15-foot Boston Whaler fit in my garage.
weekendwarrior	posted 09-01-2011 07:06 PM ET (US) You're going to have to measure the boat on the trailer. Trailers are all different sizes. My new one, for the same boat, is a couple feet longer than my old one.
Hal Watkins	posted 09-01-2011 08:41 PM ET (US) Size matters....the garage size. I stored our 170 Montauk, a Honda Accord and a Ford Expolorer in our condo garage and we could even get in and out of the vehicles without door dings. I think the garage was 25'X25'.
BobL	posted 09-01-2011 09:49 PM ET (US) My 15-foot Boston Whaler fits in a single-car garage without trailer modification but must be angled to fit. In a two-car garage, the same boat and trailer combination fits in a two-car garage (different house) a little more comfortably but still needs to be angled.
AllanR	posted 09-01-2011 09:57 PM ET (US) My 16.7 foot 1994 Montauk fits in my garage with a slightly oversized Performance trailer. I have to slide it in exactly, with the engine turned and tilted down, and the prop just fits against the back wall. The tongue of the trailer is about an inch from the garage door when it is down. But I don't have to turn the boat at all. It fits straight. Before I bought it, I measured everything exactly. A 15 footer in an average garage should fit fine. Just check how it measures on whatever trailer you will have. I love it as it is great to have it well protected and yet I can do almost anything with this boat. Especially with the hurricane/storms we can get down here in South Florida.
djahncke	posted 09-01-2011 10:18 PM ET (US) Over the past 26 years I have kept my 15 foot Sport in three different garages. Never a problem to get it in, but sometimes a problem to climb around it to get something on the other side of the garage.
zotcha	posted 09-01-2011 10:36 PM ET (US) Every 15'3" Sport fits in a 22' garage. Jack plate? How long is the trailer? Extended tongue for shallower ramps/clearance from Clarence from tow vehicle? Removable tongue? Swing tongue? Shaven mufflers? All spec.'s required for trailer builder... zotcha.
Waterwonderland	posted 09-01-2011 11:48 PM ET (US) Yes.
Tohsgib	posted 09-02-2011 12:56 AM ET (US) No...I don't have a 15'.
domlynch	posted 09-02-2011 01:57 AM ET (US) Same as Contender - I have a Montauk in my garage,at first I never thought it would fit - it depends on garage size - take measurements. A tape is a good lie detector... My garage is deep (long) & reasonably wide - no probs there - check for height clearance at your garage (easy with a tape)- and check if you can push the rig in.(I could push my Montauk in with 2 others - mostly 2 providing the horsepower, the other person as a guide to avoid hitting walls). Despite what some say, I find the Montauk a heavy boat for its size (due to great build quality), well beyond just me using it - it needs at least 2 guys to manouver. If on my onw there's no way I could garage it. In my case I'm the issue was getting her in as I'm in apartments with other garages nearby i.e. the area has constricted turning radii (paths) - this is difficult to check with a tape - easiest by trying the rig with assistants. Take your measurements then if the garage is big enough give it a go & you may be pleasantly suprised.
dgoodhue	posted 09-02-2011 07:10 AM ET (US) Mine fits with a regular tongue. It would not fit as into some of the smaller garage's that wouldn't fit a full size SUV.
andrey320	posted 09-02-2011 10:42 AM ET (US) My 15 Dauntless BARELY fits into the garage. There is probably a total of 4 inches combined space left behind the engine and in front of the removable tongue end. I also have to take one of the door bracket bolts off to get the console grab rail to fit. Measure five times before buying.
Nevek	posted 09-02-2011 02:22 PM ET (US) Thanks, I wondered how that would work if I bought an aluminum trailer. Is the fold away or removable tongue just not an option on aluminum trailers? I am in the process of buying a trailer and although I really want to go with aluminum for the saltwater, the galvanized tilt trailer seems to be the smallest by over a foot and a half.
rong	posted 09-02-2011 02:27 PM ET (US) measure the garage and measure the trailer??
contender	posted 09-02-2011 04:15 PM ET (US) nevek: when you purchase the trailer you can have different length of center beam either cut or put in/on your trailer to custom your length...Shorter trailer is just harder to back up, nice to have a longer tongue...
Binkster	posted 09-02-2011 11:34 PM ET (US) Most garages vary between 20 to 22 feet long. Single car is 12 feet wide and two car is 20 feet wide, inside dimentions. 25' long by 30' wide is ideal when you build your new house. This country needs new homes, builders are starving LOL.
squallman	posted 09-03-2011 11:21 AM ET (US) whats the brand name of the swing away kit?? Thanks
Nevek	posted 09-06-2011 06:18 PM ET (US) Well my garage is only 18' long so it looks like I am going to go for a trailer around 17' feet long. I am going to talk to the dealer tomorrow and see if there are any aluminum trailers in this length but so far it looks like my only option is a galvanized tilt trailer.
Tohsgib	posted 09-06-2011 06:23 PM ET (US) Remember you have an outboard on the stern. 18' garage is pretty small, especially if you own a Caddy.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 09-06-2011 06:28 PM ET (US) Longer tongue also keeps the truck drier. That's important if you launch in salt water. I rolled over 200,000 miles in the Pathfinder a week ago. And about 700 saltwater launches and retrievals. The trailer hitch receiver is a bit rusty but the truck itself is fine. Chuck
tedious	posted 09-07-2011 10:30 AM ET (US) The coupler I used is a Fulton brand, bolt-on coupler for a 3x3 tube, good for up to 5K trailer weight. It is also available for different sizes, and in weld-on versions. 18 feet is a really, really short garage - I suspect the boat and motor alone are probably 17'6" or maybe even a bit more. You are going to have to customize a trailer to fit in there. In addition to the swing tongue, you'll probably need a very short winch post. The good news is that the swing tongue can be up to 48" long so you'll still be able to have a longer trailer for good road manners - and it helps to be able to open the tailgate with the trailer attached. Tim
Tom Ray	posted 09-07-2011 10:48 AM ET (US) On galvanized vs aluminum trailers: My opinion is that the main advantage of aluminum is lighter weight, which is not a big concern for 15 Whaler owners. It gets to be a concern at larger sizes, but few have a tow vehicle so small as to make a 15 Whaler a heavy load. As for corrosion, the parts that fail tend to be rustable anyway, no matter what the frame is made from. There are no aluminum leaf springs, no aluminum axles, and no aluminum U bolts. Those parts will rust away, unless you are like me and willing to spend the money on stainless U bolts. No garage here. [url=http://www.tropicalboating.com/boat-repairs/whaler-conversion.html]Our 15 Whaler[/url] lives under my office, which is on stilts. I could fit a longer boat, but not anything much taller. My 17' sailboat has to live out under a tent because it is a bit too tall to go under the house.
Nevek	posted 09-07-2011 11:02 AM ET (US) Yeah unfortunately all these cookie cutter homes they build in FL are lacking in the garage department. I have fit my parents 13' Whaler in this garage on one side and that sits on a trailer that was previously for a 15' Whaler. I believe we had the trailer slightly angled but we were able to fit another car in the garage. Another option is to just leave it outside under a cover but I would prefer it to be inside. I need to talk to the local dealer and see what he thinks can be done.