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Author Topic:   Small Boats in the Caribbean
jimh posted 03-12-2012 07:32 AM ET (US)   Profile for jimh   Send Email to jimh  
I recently visited a number of ports in the British Virgin Islands and the French West Indies of the Leeward Islands, and, as we always like to do, spent some time strolling along the docks and quays looking at the local boats. Boston Whaler boats were generally found everywhere, but especially in the harbor at Gustavia, St. Barthelemy. There was quite a collection of classic Boston Whaler boats moored along the seawall there--so many that I'd say they were about 50-percent of the small boat population. There were many 18-foot and 22-foot Outrage hulls, and even a sister ship to my own boat, a Revenge W-T Whaler Drive. The only newer Boston Whaler boat I saw was a 320 Outrage tied along side a large motor yacht and was probably its tender.

The small boats in Gustavia had either a Yamaha, a Suzuki, or an Evinrude outboard engine. The Yamaha outboard were a mixture of old two-cycle engines and newer four-cycle engines. Many of the Yamaha engines were in all-white paint. I don't know if Yamaha offers their engines in white or if the high-end boat builders repaint them white. Newer and larger center console boats typically had a pair of Yamaha four-cycle engines. The black-cowling engines were all Suzuki engines, mostly smaller four-cycle engines. The Evinrude engines were mostly older two-cycle engines. I'd say that the Evinrude two-cycle engines were the largest segment of the older engines I saw. This may be due to their longevity in the harsh sunlight and saltwater environment. There were plenty of c.1995 Ocean Pro V6 engines on the transoms.

On other islands and other harbors the mix of outboards was about the same,. There were also a few boats with new E-TEC engines, mainly larger boats with twins. I don't recall seeing any older Mercury engines. One boat in Sopers Hole had a pair of newer OptiMax XS Pro engines, and only one Verado sighting, on that 320 Outrage tender.

It was notable that several of the 17-foot Boston Whaler boats were set up with twin engines, typically a pair of 25-HP or 30-HP engines. I suspect that is for redundancy when operating in the ocean.

Other boat brands that I saw were older Mako boats, some Contender and Regulator hulls--mainly newer boats, plus the usual mix of pangas and locally made island boats.

andygere posted 03-12-2012 01:43 PM ET (US)     Profile for andygere  Send Email to andygere     
The twin setups on the 17 foot hulls may also be due to the availability of 25-30 h.p. 2-stroke outboards specially packaged for international sales. I've seen these throughout the Caribbean, and they are popular because they are portable (can be rigged without a crane or other lifting equipment),they ship with spare parts, run on portable fuel tanks, and are typically rope started and don't require a battery to run. Redundant power is surely another reason these small boats are rigged with twins.

My sister bought one of these motors when she was living and teaching in Jamaica in the late 1980's, a Johnson 25 h.p. unit. It was shipped in a single crate with everything needed to mount it to a hull and operate. I don't know if the major outboard makers are still selling these specially packaged low h.p. 2-strokes, but I'll bet there are still a lot of them in operation.

Peter posted 03-12-2012 07:10 PM ET (US)     Profile for Peter  Send Email to Peter     
My observation of outboard motors on our recent trip to Barbados was the following:

1. Boats that ran at displacement speeds ran 4-strokes or conventional 2-strokes outboards;

2. Boats that pulled water toys, wake boards or skiers ran 2-stroke outboards;

3. Fishing dories ran Yamaha Enduro 2-stroke outboards; and

4. Law enforcement boats were running E-TECs.

Yamaha, Evinrude and Mercury were present. Most motors were 150 HP or less.

I saw a few Whalers, mostly Dauntless 180s that look like they were powered by Verados driving by our beach. It was the first time I saw a Dauntless underway from shore and it looked stern heavy while on plane. It was riding bow high with two people forward of the console and the engine running trimmed all the way in.

george nagy posted 03-12-2012 07:32 PM ET (US)     Profile for george nagy  Send Email to george nagy     
Jim, Any pictures to share?
unsinkable_2000 posted 03-12-2012 08:11 PM ET (US)     Profile for unsinkable_2000  Send Email to unsinkable_2000     
I was in st. Barth's during the second week of February and took some pics of these whalers that Jim is referencing. I think I sent them to Jim but not sure if he got them. Since they are on my iPad I am not sure how to post them. Anyone knows how to post off an iPad let me know or I will forward them if anyone would like to see them. There were a lot of interesting whalers including a really nice 27 Guardian/Divemaster. If anyone can help or wants to see pics let me know and thanks.
jimh posted 03-12-2012 08:44 PM ET (US)     Profile for jimh  Send Email to jimh     
Thanks for the reminder about the emailed pictures. I will have to look them up.

No, I did not take any pictures. We went ashore to go snorkeling at Shell Beach. I did not take my camera. I should have, as the Whaler population was great. Also, there was a lot of attractive photographic opportunities at Shell Beach, too. The sun bathing there is done in the European style. But we went just for the snorkeling--honest!

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