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Author Topic:   1974 Boston Whaler 19 Sterndrive

sraab928 posted 06-28-2013 10:18 AM ET (US)
Picked this up last year - been playing around with getting it cleaned up and updated
Here is where she started.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/sraab928/ 1974%20Boston%20Whaler%2019%20Outrage%20Sterndrive/whalercominghome.jpg
Here is how she sits today -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/sraab928/ 1974%20Boston%20Whaler%2019%20Sterndrive%20-%20updated/ 1974Whaler19_zpsf87bc4d4.jpg
I have replaced all the wood - (still have to install the new transom name plate)
Compounded the heck out of the hull.
New Rubrail
New bow light
New decals
New fuel tank bases (tanks were replaced before I bought but wood was not)
New battery and cleaned up the wiring.
Rebuilt the carb
Rebuilt the shifter
Replaced the transom drain tubes
I have started to restore the rps but it really clutters up the rear deck with the motor cover - I may have to go with a smaller leaning post - we shall see...
Here is the before album
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/sraab928/library/ 1974%20Boston%20Whaler%2019%20Outrage%20Sterndrive
Here is the current album
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/sraab928/library/ 1974%20Boston%20Whaler%2019%20Sterndrive%20-%20updated

jimh posted 06-28-2013 10:28 AM ET (US)
A 1974 Boston Whaler with a sterndrive has to be a very unique boat.
Several years ago, at a Boston Whaler sponsored dealer rally in northern Michigan, Dennis Tilden from Boston Whaler was attending. He told me an interesting story about Boston Whaler boats and sterndrives. As a young fellow he was working at Boston Whaler. There was a prototype hull and Whaler was finished testing with it. He was able to buy the hull at a nice price. Dennis modified it and fitted a sterndrive to it, producing one of the first Boston Whaler sterndrive boats. Heck--it might even be the boat you have now!
K Albus posted 06-28-2013 10:36 AM ET (US)
Interesting boat, and it looks like you've done a nice job restoring it. It definitely looks like there would be very little room to maneuver in there with an RPS added to the mix.
sraab928 posted 06-28-2013 11:05 AM ET (US)
Thanks for the replies - she is kind of unique - you definitely do not see many around. The ones I have seen all have Mercruiser power. This is the only one I have seen with the OMC Stringer power.
The boat spent most of its life up in Wisconsin - She came down to Florida about 8 years ago I am told.
I would not call it a restoration at this point - just a freshening up as the gelcoat still has the typical Boston Whaler issues.
As for the RPS dilemna - I will put it in the boat and take some pictures to show how it fits - It only leaves a few inches to get past the motor cover. You can squeeze through if you walk sideways. My RPS cushion measures 22" deep - Its seems that most leaning posts are around that same dimension - I have seen a couple around 19" - I may have to have one made.
egres posted 06-29-2013 08:03 AM ET (US)
Seen one of them right here.
And presently used as a guide boat for hire.
Good to see that you are still interested in contracting out refits for your preferred Whalers, Scott.
egres posted 06-29-2013 06:48 PM ET (US)
And further on this exciting model
I did find myself lucky to have dug up this possible reference to the 74 configuration.
http://www.aquietplace.ca/Whaler_Revenge_19_for_Sale.pdf
andygere posted 06-30-2013 01:55 AM ET (US)
Nice work on the Revenge! I love these oddball Whalers and you've got that one looking fine.
David Pendleton posted 06-30-2013 03:17 AM ET (US)
Nothing oddball about it; you are going to have a heck of a time finding parts for that outdrive/engine, though.
Jefecinco posted 06-30-2013 10:32 AM ET (US)
The engine parts shouldn't be too big a problem. The outdrive may be another story. Worst case may require a replacement outdrive. If so, there may be an SEI or Mercruiser unit which is a "piece part replacement". I would lean toward SEI for price and warranty.
That's a very nice boat. I said I would not buy another stern drive boat but that boat could change my mind.
Butch
Hilinercc posted 07-01-2013 09:35 AM ET (US)
You may want to keep an eye on that old OMC electric shift Stern Drive. I've had alot of experience with those units. My '74 Hiliner Gypsy still had hers when I bought it. The original 307 c.i. (225 hp) chevy. The engine still ran great, and so did the drive (for a while). but the drive can go within a moments notice.
I was cruising down the ICW when all of the sudden I started hearing a "bumping" noise in the drive, like it was trying to go into reverse. Before I could get it out of gear, a sickening "Thud" followed by a wrenching sound of a spline self destructing. The engine then spooled up freely like in neutral. The show was over.
Turns out the electrical shift soleniods grounded out, causing the shift shuttle gears in the lower unit to ocsillate from Forward to reverse, therby shearing the waterpump driveshaft spline.
Thats when the new 5.7 Volvo SX reported for duty.
I liked the OMC when it worked, but just be aware that yours is in the twilight of its service life.
Tom W Clark posted 07-01-2013 10:18 AM ET (US)
Actually, Whaler made quite a few sterndrive powered 19's in the 1970s and most of them were OMC.
You can get parts for the OMC sterndrive, it's not that big a problem.
The sterndrives themselves were not robust and current condition will depend on how much and how hard the unit was used. A quick look at the ball gears can give a good indication.
In general, the OMC sterndrives powered by the small four cylinder motors did the best because they were not as highly stressed. I would not bother with any V-8 powered OMC sterndrive but the one in this boat may be fine.
Cooling passages int eh sterndrive merit special attention; they are small and easily clogged.
I've owned two of these old OMC sterndrives and they both worked fine and were 100 percent reliable with a little attention.
sraab928 posted 07-02-2013 09:48 AM ET (US)
Thank you for all the comments - I am well aware of the shortcomings of the OMC stringer drive system. Parts are easy to find for the most part. (had a hard time finding a part for the binnacle control but these controls were more rare than the standard side mounts) This drive has been well cared for - ball gears in excellent shape - The straight 6 chevy motor was rebuilt a few years back. The key with these drives is to change and use the proper oil in them. Many failures are attributed to improper drive oil and poor maintenance.
If I keep the boat long term it will more than likely receive a mercruiser repower, which I know will require the transom to be redone as well. For now I will just properly maintain the OMC and see what happens.
adlert posted 07-05-2013 11:50 AM ET (US)
That's an interesting comment Tom regarding the robustness of the OMC stern drive units. I don't recall hearing or seeing significant problems with the gears and bearings within these units when properly maintained. I am assuming that that is what you are referring to when you say "robust." Certainly failures could occur due to seal leaks and lubricant neglect as with any brand unit and the occasional electrical shift problem as Hilinercc described on the very old units.
Of they are all very quite old now. Nevertheless I have certainly seen (in fresh water locals) many of the OMC units lasting a very long time if cared for; performing just as well as the Volvos and Mercruisers of the era IMO. Ball joints are a well known problem area but they are replaceable. I assume (may be I'm wrong) that you can still get the parts. The main cause of terrible and premature wear to the ball joints is operators stressing them too much at high trim angles. There was nothing to stop owners from doing this and it was always a real problem that was avoidable.

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Author	Topic: 1974 Boston Whaler 19 Sterndrive
sraab928	posted 06-28-2013 10:18 AM ET (US) Picked this up last year - been playing around with getting it cleaned up and updated Here is where she started. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/sraab928/ 1974%20Boston%20Whaler%2019%20Outrage%20Sterndrive/whalercominghome.jpg Here is how she sits today - http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/sraab928/ 1974%20Boston%20Whaler%2019%20Sterndrive%20-%20updated/ 1974Whaler19_zpsf87bc4d4.jpg I have replaced all the wood - (still have to install the new transom name plate) Compounded the heck out of the hull. New Rubrail New bow light New decals New fuel tank bases (tanks were replaced before I bought but wood was not) New battery and cleaned up the wiring. Rebuilt the carb Rebuilt the shifter Replaced the transom drain tubes I have started to restore the rps but it really clutters up the rear deck with the motor cover - I may have to go with a smaller leaning post - we shall see... Here is the before album http://smg.photobucket.com/user/sraab928/library/ 1974%20Boston%20Whaler%2019%20Outrage%20Sterndrive Here is the current album http://smg.photobucket.com/user/sraab928/library/ 1974%20Boston%20Whaler%2019%20Sterndrive%20-%20updated
jimh	posted 06-28-2013 10:28 AM ET (US) A 1974 Boston Whaler with a sterndrive has to be a very unique boat. Several years ago, at a Boston Whaler sponsored dealer rally in northern Michigan, Dennis Tilden from Boston Whaler was attending. He told me an interesting story about Boston Whaler boats and sterndrives. As a young fellow he was working at Boston Whaler. There was a prototype hull and Whaler was finished testing with it. He was able to buy the hull at a nice price. Dennis modified it and fitted a sterndrive to it, producing one of the first Boston Whaler sterndrive boats. Heck--it might even be the boat you have now!
K Albus	posted 06-28-2013 10:36 AM ET (US) Interesting boat, and it looks like you've done a nice job restoring it. It definitely looks like there would be very little room to maneuver in there with an RPS added to the mix.
sraab928	posted 06-28-2013 11:05 AM ET (US) Thanks for the replies - she is kind of unique - you definitely do not see many around. The ones I have seen all have Mercruiser power. This is the only one I have seen with the OMC Stringer power. The boat spent most of its life up in Wisconsin - She came down to Florida about 8 years ago I am told. I would not call it a restoration at this point - just a freshening up as the gelcoat still has the typical Boston Whaler issues. As for the RPS dilemna - I will put it in the boat and take some pictures to show how it fits - It only leaves a few inches to get past the motor cover. You can squeeze through if you walk sideways. My RPS cushion measures 22" deep - Its seems that most leaning posts are around that same dimension - I have seen a couple around 19" - I may have to have one made.
egres	posted 06-29-2013 08:03 AM ET (US) Seen one of them right here. And presently used as a guide boat for hire. Good to see that you are still interested in contracting out refits for your preferred Whalers, Scott.
egres	posted 06-29-2013 06:48 PM ET (US) And further on this exciting model I did find myself lucky to have dug up this possible reference to the 74 configuration. http://www.aquietplace.ca/Whaler_Revenge_19_for_Sale.pdf
andygere	posted 06-30-2013 01:55 AM ET (US) Nice work on the Revenge! I love these oddball Whalers and you've got that one looking fine.
David Pendleton	posted 06-30-2013 03:17 AM ET (US) Nothing oddball about it; you are going to have a heck of a time finding parts for that outdrive/engine, though.
Jefecinco	posted 06-30-2013 10:32 AM ET (US) The engine parts shouldn't be too big a problem. The outdrive may be another story. Worst case may require a replacement outdrive. If so, there may be an SEI or Mercruiser unit which is a "piece part replacement". I would lean toward SEI for price and warranty. That's a very nice boat. I said I would not buy another stern drive boat but that boat could change my mind. Butch
Hilinercc	posted 07-01-2013 09:35 AM ET (US) You may want to keep an eye on that old OMC electric shift Stern Drive. I've had alot of experience with those units. My '74 Hiliner Gypsy still had hers when I bought it. The original 307 c.i. (225 hp) chevy. The engine still ran great, and so did the drive (for a while). but the drive can go within a moments notice. I was cruising down the ICW when all of the sudden I started hearing a "bumping" noise in the drive, like it was trying to go into reverse. Before I could get it out of gear, a sickening "Thud" followed by a wrenching sound of a spline self destructing. The engine then spooled up freely like in neutral. The show was over. Turns out the electrical shift soleniods grounded out, causing the shift shuttle gears in the lower unit to ocsillate from Forward to reverse, therby shearing the waterpump driveshaft spline. Thats when the new 5.7 Volvo SX reported for duty. I liked the OMC when it worked, but just be aware that yours is in the twilight of its service life.
Tom W Clark	posted 07-01-2013 10:18 AM ET (US) Actually, Whaler made quite a few sterndrive powered 19's in the 1970s and most of them were OMC. You can get parts for the OMC sterndrive, it's not that big a problem. The sterndrives themselves were not robust and current condition will depend on how much and how hard the unit was used. A quick look at the ball gears can give a good indication. In general, the OMC sterndrives powered by the small four cylinder motors did the best because they were not as highly stressed. I would not bother with any V-8 powered OMC sterndrive but the one in this boat may be fine. Cooling passages int eh sterndrive merit special attention; they are small and easily clogged. I've owned two of these old OMC sterndrives and they both worked fine and were 100 percent reliable with a little attention.
sraab928	posted 07-02-2013 09:48 AM ET (US) Thank you for all the comments - I am well aware of the shortcomings of the OMC stringer drive system. Parts are easy to find for the most part. (had a hard time finding a part for the binnacle control but these controls were more rare than the standard side mounts) This drive has been well cared for - ball gears in excellent shape - The straight 6 chevy motor was rebuilt a few years back. The key with these drives is to change and use the proper oil in them. Many failures are attributed to improper drive oil and poor maintenance. If I keep the boat long term it will more than likely receive a mercruiser repower, which I know will require the transom to be redone as well. For now I will just properly maintain the OMC and see what happens.
adlert	posted 07-05-2013 11:50 AM ET (US) That's an interesting comment Tom regarding the robustness of the OMC stern drive units. I don't recall hearing or seeing significant problems with the gears and bearings within these units when properly maintained. I am assuming that that is what you are referring to when you say "robust." Certainly failures could occur due to seal leaks and lubricant neglect as with any brand unit and the occasional electrical shift problem as Hilinercc described on the very old units. Of they are all very quite old now. Nevertheless I have certainly seen (in fresh water locals) many of the OMC units lasting a very long time if cared for; performing just as well as the Volvos and Mercruisers of the era IMO. Ball joints are a well known problem area but they are replaceable. I assume (may be I'm wrong) that you can still get the parts. The main cause of terrible and premature wear to the ball joints is operators stressing them too much at high trim angles. There was nothing to stop owners from doing this and it was always a real problem that was avoidable.