posted 12-29-2011 09:42 AM ET (US)        

I like the smaller 13-foot and 15-foot Bosotn Whalers Sport and Super Sport models, and I'm leaning toward those, but don't know for sure. I'd prefer a boat no older than approximately 10-years-old with a four-cycle fuel-injected engine. Any and all information and recommendations are appreciated.

Thanks,

posted 12-29-2011 10:07 AM ET (US)            

The hulls of the 13-foot and 15-foot classic Boston Whaler boats are quite different. The 13-foot hull has a rather flat bottom and is extremely stable for its size. The 15-foot hull has a finer entry and has a more rounded bottom. It is not as stable as the 13-foot hull, but the 15-foot hull will give a much better ride in head seas. There is some support for the claim that the 15-foot Boston Whaler hull is the best small boat ever made. Then again, some would say that about the 13-foot hull.

On a small boat, and particularly on a small and light boat like a Boston Whaler, you need to be aware of the transom weight. If a four-cycle outboard motor is used, I advise to look for one with the minimum possible weight. Also, a motor with fuel-injection will typically not be able to start without battery power. There are a few exceptions. I think the small TOHATSU four-cycle engines can start without a battery, but other than that most four-cycle outboard engines will need a battery to start. Factor that into your plans.

posted 12-29-2011 01:19 PM ET (US)            

I agree with Jim, a 13 or 15 footer would be ideal and don't overlook some of the older boats. My first whaler was an early 13 at 10 yrs old. I grew up on it and many of the fondest memories of my youth were the times I spent on it. The 13 is very stable and I feel easier to jump/dive and climb back into than the 15.

I also would reconsider a two stroke. They generally start quicker and more easily than a 4 stroke. You do have to consider oil storage and consumption, but this is not a huge factor considering the potential weight savings.

If you buy a newer whaler, you will face depreciation. Older whalers maintained hold their values. You could buy a 13 from the 70s or 80s, use it for 5 years and generally sell it for what you paid to buy it. There is always a market for high quality smaller whalers, even in this slow economy.

posted 12-29-2011 02:27 PM ET (US)            

During my almost 20 years now of owning and operating Whalers I have had the luck of owning both a 13 sport and a 15 Super Sport. With that, I would have to say I enjoyed the 15 far more than the 13. The 15 had a far better ride due to the deeper V in the hull but, because of that it does make it a bit less stable at a resting stop than the 13. This is also the reason the 15 has a lower Swamped Capacity than the 13. When I had the 13 (actually owned it after having the 15) I found it wear my back out with the all pounding if there were was any type of wave action. I also found the 13 had a tendency to porpoise a lot no matter where I set the motor in height and in trim. This I am sure is mainly due to the hook that is designed into the bottom of the hull at the transom. With the V on the 15 you can easily trim the bow up and adjust the hull for the best angle of approach for the on coming seas making for a more comfortable ride.

The 15 did have one draw back in my view. The hull had a great tendency to chine walk at speeds over 40 mph which is faster than most ever go in their 15's so, take that with a grain of salt. The 15 is rated for 70hp but, honestly it can get a great boat with a 40 or 50 hp on it. You only need more horsepower if you have to tow heavy skiers. We had a Mercury 75 on our 15 and it was a rocket that would top out in the low to maybe mid 50's which was WAY to fast.

Personally if I was looking for a 15 again I would try and find a 15' Center Console Sport. These are hard to find but, that small Montauk Style console is great to operate from. If you can not find one of those I would look for a Sport as I have found that interior to be more comfortable than the Super Sport style.

When looking you will find the 15's tend to carry a bit of a higher price tag but, It is well worth it.

posted 12-29-2011 03:52 PM ET (US)            

1. What's the difference(s) between the Sport and the newer Super Sport?
2. I've found a few 130 Sports with 25HP engines, but the majority are 40HP. Is a 25HP marginal?
3. I'm finding the average price for a 13 Sport to be around $8-$9K. Too expensive/keep looking or sound about right?

Thanks again,

posted 12-29-2011 07:36 PM ET (US)            

The best motor for a 13 footer is the 31.8 cu inch OMC 2 stroke at 115 lbs. It the type of outboard the boat was designed for. These motors were available from 1978-2005 in hp ranges from 20-25-30-35. Only differences were the carbs and the exhaust tube.

posted 12-30-2011 09:30 AM ET (US)            

You don't have an e-mail in your profile so I couldn't send this to you directly; I have to post it here. I saw this recently repowered clean 15 super sport on e-bay. Not totally original, but modifications I think are nicely done in the spirit of boston whaler:

http:/ / cgi. ebay. com/ ebaymotors/ 1987-Vintage-Classic-Boston-Whaler- 15-Super-Sport-Runabout-New-Honda-Four-Stroke-/ 270880338644?pt=Power_Mo torboats& hash=item3f11b9f2d4

posted 12-30-2011 09:56 AM ET (US)            

I apologize for my email not being accesible, I've corrected that in my profile. Thanks for the link, however I have a budget of ~$8K and that Whaler is above that and is located in CA (I'm in PA). Thanks again though.

posted 12-31-2011 02:25 PM ET (US)            

In the classic 13-foot boats you can see the various model differences explained and illustrated in

posted 01-01-2012 09:35 PM ET (US)            

I emailed you about a 15' I recently ran across....

posted 01-02-2012 07:31 AM ET (US)            

I'm going to focus (my engine portion of the search) on 40HP boats. Reason being, there will be times where I could have 3, possibly 4, adults on board.

@ Ridge Runner - Thanks for the link. That looks like exactly what I'm searching for. I'm going to follow up on that one.

@ Jeff - Email reply sent. Thanks.

posted 01-04-2012 08:16 PM ET (US)            

The 130 Sport is great for runs around the bay and up the river with up to five people. It's not so good for running out to the pass or places where you may run into choppy or rough water.

I wouldn't want less than 40 hp because it takes some umph to get it on plane with 5 people on board. Also, with 40 hp it is great to pull a tube behind (we have a Big Mable for 2 people). You can make a sharp turn at full speed and the boat stays nice and flat.

It is very stable. Three people can fish but two is better and when some stand up on the seats or move from side to side, it doesn't tilt the boat.

I bought this boat instead of a wave runner and am glad I did. It fits just fine on my wave runner/skiff lift and for the times I have it on a trailer I can easily roll it into the garage.

I do have a larger boat, so this little rocket suits me just fine and I look forward to the time the grandchildren are able to take it out.

posted 01-23-2012 07:44 PM ET (US)            

Thanks for everyones help and suggestions.

posted 02-02-2012 03:31 AM ET (US)            

As it is, I have 1985 13 Sport with a Yamaha 40hp of the same year. I've been out in it with my 200lb butt, my NFL football player, 300lb brother in law, and his two sons, and I don't even need full power to get up on plane. Just a quick goose and she pops right up. I'm also in the camp that thinks PT'n'T is superfluous on this combo. The motor is only 158 lbs, weighted for easy manual tilt, and, and has a grab handle to boot. I just keep the motor's tilt pin in the position I most use for cruising and rely on a quick burst of power and the hooked hull bottom, and I'm up on plane in no time, at surprisingly slow speed. In the two and a half years I've owned it, I don't know if I've ever used the full power of that 40hp.

I'm intrigued by Nick's idea of a 40hp, post-classic 13. But there has also been a couple of threads on here by owners complaining about having trouble getting on plane with loads that were far from the max. The conclusion I recall reading on here had to to do with the weight. 40hp is still 40hp, but the base, dry hull of the post-classic is a good deal heavier, (maybe double), than the classic. So keep that in mind, and/or maybe bring some heavy friends with you on your test drive to see if it's performance meets your needs.

posted 02-03-2012 07:37 PM ET (US)            

Just a tad...LOL