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Author Topic:   Will a 9 ft tender be suitable for my needs

cc13 posted 09-11-2011 09:00 AM ET (US)
There is a 9 ft tender for sale at a price I am willing to pay. I currently have a 22 Outrage. I have a beachside gulf coast home. I envision getting a small boat that I can trailer to and from the beach with a 4-wheeler/lawnmower, launch, putter around in calm water, moor to a buoy overnight and then store under the house when I leave. Would the 9 footer be suitable for this? How tippy and wet is it. What kind of seas could it handle? I weigh 210. The for sale boat is close to my beach house, which is a few hours from me. I'd rather not drive those hours to see it, if more knowledgeable folks says it won't fit the bill. Thanks
contender posted 09-11-2011 11:41 AM ET (US)
An 11 whaler is the smallest I would go, I had a 9 ft whaler and got rid of it because I felt it was to unstable for my kids. If you (just you) just want to use the boat to go to an from your boat (dingy) and if you are in smooth water you will be ok. Your lawn mower will tow an 11 just as easy. I really would not own one again, cute but useless...
Tohsgib posted 09-11-2011 12:35 PM ET (US)
Where do you live? I had a 9' and agree with Contender. I have an 11' sport that is currently for sale. I tow it around with my lawnmower.
PeteB88 posted 09-11-2011 02:01 PM ET (US)
11 OR 13.
David Pendleton posted 09-11-2011 06:30 PM ET (US)
I thought I wanted a 9' Whaler once.
I needed something to get into islands that I anchor off of in L. Superior.
I ended up buying a 8.5' Zodiac, and I'm glad I did. The Zodiac is lighter, easier to handle, and much more stable. It's probably cheaper (when purchased used) than a tender, too.
The only "pro" (in my opinion) to the tender is it would be more durable than a Zodiac.
Dave Sutton posted 09-11-2011 10:02 PM ET (US)
I can honestly say that Boston Whaler has built the best boats I have ever owned (Classic Montauks, several of them, 2 of them at present), and the worst boat I have ever owned (9' Tender). And that's after owning about 25 boats in my life ranging from 8 foot inflatables to the 42' Grand Banks that I call home. The 9' Tender was too heavy, too unstable, and would have made a pretty good front yard planter for a Whaler enthusiast but was good for little else. I hated mine and would never buy another or recommend one to anyone for any use.
Dave
.
cc13 posted 09-12-2011 07:26 AM ET (US)
Good advice. Thanks
contender posted 09-12-2011 08:11 AM ET (US)
Dave: which one is worse the 9 foot tender or the squall? I think I would take the 9 foot tender over the squall and yes I have had both...
Dave Sutton posted 09-12-2011 10:14 PM ET (US)
Never had a squall or have sat in one, so no knowlage.
The 9' Tender was as cute as a button... but it was a lousy boat.
Dave
.
Agntvbb posted 09-12-2011 10:36 PM ET (US)
FYI pulling a 13 SPORT around behind a 20HP garden tractor on level ground is absolutely not a problem. An ATV would be a breeze. They are easier to find too.
David Jenkins posted 09-13-2011 08:24 PM ET (US)
I have owned a 9' tender, two Squalls, an 11' tender, a 13' Sourpuss (plus larger Whalers). If I were you I would buy an 11' tender with a 20 or 25 hp engine.
Tohsgib posted 09-13-2011 09:23 PM ET (US)
I happen to have an 11 sport with a 20hp OMC and a sweet trailer.
Agntvbb posted 09-13-2011 11:55 PM ET (US)
Nice looking 11 footer in detroit area:
http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/boa/2573830588.html

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Author	Topic: Will a 9 ft tender be suitable for my needs
cc13	posted 09-11-2011 09:00 AM ET (US) There is a 9 ft tender for sale at a price I am willing to pay. I currently have a 22 Outrage. I have a beachside gulf coast home. I envision getting a small boat that I can trailer to and from the beach with a 4-wheeler/lawnmower, launch, putter around in calm water, moor to a buoy overnight and then store under the house when I leave. Would the 9 footer be suitable for this? How tippy and wet is it. What kind of seas could it handle? I weigh 210. The for sale boat is close to my beach house, which is a few hours from me. I'd rather not drive those hours to see it, if more knowledgeable folks says it won't fit the bill. Thanks
contender	posted 09-11-2011 11:41 AM ET (US) An 11 whaler is the smallest I would go, I had a 9 ft whaler and got rid of it because I felt it was to unstable for my kids. If you (just you) just want to use the boat to go to an from your boat (dingy) and if you are in smooth water you will be ok. Your lawn mower will tow an 11 just as easy. I really would not own one again, cute but useless...
Tohsgib	posted 09-11-2011 12:35 PM ET (US) Where do you live? I had a 9' and agree with Contender. I have an 11' sport that is currently for sale. I tow it around with my lawnmower.
PeteB88	posted 09-11-2011 02:01 PM ET (US) 11 OR 13.
David Pendleton	posted 09-11-2011 06:30 PM ET (US) I thought I wanted a 9' Whaler once. I needed something to get into islands that I anchor off of in L. Superior. I ended up buying a 8.5' Zodiac, and I'm glad I did. The Zodiac is lighter, easier to handle, and much more stable. It's probably cheaper (when purchased used) than a tender, too. The only "pro" (in my opinion) to the tender is it would be more durable than a Zodiac.
Dave Sutton	posted 09-11-2011 10:02 PM ET (US) I can honestly say that Boston Whaler has built the best boats I have ever owned (Classic Montauks, several of them, 2 of them at present), and the worst boat I have ever owned (9' Tender). And that's after owning about 25 boats in my life ranging from 8 foot inflatables to the 42' Grand Banks that I call home. The 9' Tender was too heavy, too unstable, and would have made a pretty good front yard planter for a Whaler enthusiast but was good for little else. I hated mine and would never buy another or recommend one to anyone for any use. Dave .
cc13	posted 09-12-2011 07:26 AM ET (US) Good advice. Thanks
contender	posted 09-12-2011 08:11 AM ET (US) Dave: which one is worse the 9 foot tender or the squall? I think I would take the 9 foot tender over the squall and yes I have had both...
Dave Sutton	posted 09-12-2011 10:14 PM ET (US) Never had a squall or have sat in one, so no knowlage. The 9' Tender was as cute as a button... but it was a lousy boat. Dave .
Agntvbb	posted 09-12-2011 10:36 PM ET (US) FYI pulling a 13 SPORT around behind a 20HP garden tractor on level ground is absolutely not a problem. An ATV would be a breeze. They are easier to find too.
David Jenkins	posted 09-13-2011 08:24 PM ET (US) I have owned a 9' tender, two Squalls, an 11' tender, a 13' Sourpuss (plus larger Whalers). If I were you I would buy an 11' tender with a 20 or 25 hp engine.
Tohsgib	posted 09-13-2011 09:23 PM ET (US) I happen to have an 11 sport with a 20hp OMC and a sweet trailer.
Agntvbb	posted 09-13-2011 11:55 PM ET (US) Nice looking 11 footer in detroit area: http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/boa/2573830588.html