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Author Topic:   New 13' Sport owner

Drmorison posted 06-10-2014 10:49 AM ET (US)
Hello All,
I bought a 1993 13' Sport from my dad three weeks ago. So far, my six year old and I have been out on Narragansett Bay four times with her. The longest trip so far was from Bullock's Cove (Haine's Memorial State Park) to Bristol (about 11 miles each way). I grew up in Marblehead MA sailing small boats (under 20') and although I have been on a lot of motorboats, I have never owned one. Also, this is my first experience out in Narragansett Bay. So far I have taken the online safety course (although haven't taken the proctored test yet) and I have most of the important safety equipment on board except a fire extinguisher and a kill switch lanyard. I ordered a lanyard and it should be here this week.
Anyone have any advice for where to go and what to do in Narragansett Bay on a 13 footer? Typically it will just be my six year old son and myself, but sometimes my wife will join us. Where to explore?
Click the link below for a couple of pictures...
http://www.evernote.com/shard/s20/sh/26234416-f1e1-4cff-8853-5816f8b61f99/b20d7016eda4c0440f74de521a6ae1cc
-Tom
pcrussell50 posted 06-11-2014 01:17 PM ET (US)
Looks just like my '85. Congrats, you have a fine boat. Probably the most seaworthy boat for it's size that is readily available. I know. I had a different boat of the same size, and while it was sexier looking than the utilitarian Whaler, it was a toy in comparison when it comes to seaworthiness, even if it's not the most comfortable rough-water ride.
As a west coast fellow, I don't know a thing about where you are, except that flying over and around Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay area, it looks like it's full of fine boating... at least as far as I can tell from the air.
Get out and explore, and keep in mind that just because it won't sink, it doesn't mean it can't capsize or be rendered inoperative far form safety if it becomes swamped. So use all due diligence, and don't go into poor conditions saying, "It's a Whaler, it's OK". You're best off avoiding dangerous situations where "Whalerness" might save you.
The 15 footer has more V to the hull, giving it a better ride in rough water and more potential for top speed. It is very popular. The 13 seems to be more stable when standing on the gunwales, and with it's flat bottom, it planes out at ridiculously slow speeds... both characteristics I like in a Whaler. For speed, I have boats that are specifically built for that, which are considerably faster than the 15. So to me, the 15 is kind of a 'tweener... not fast enough to be fast, and not flat enough to be as utilitarian as I like. But I'm the odd one out on that around here. And I'd still buy one if I found it at a price I couldn't refuse, but mostly because I just like Whalers, no matter what kind.
-Peter
Drmorison posted 06-12-2014 07:13 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the response, Peter. Rest assured I will be pretty conservative with my child on board. I am happy to be on the water!
EJO posted 06-16-2014 06:33 PM ET (US)
Nice looking boat you "guys" will enjoy her for a long time.
Check with your local United States Power Squadron (USPS) www.usps.org as they offer great courses to better your boater skills and heed Peter's advice with a smaller boat like that.

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Author	Topic: New 13' Sport owner
Drmorison	posted 06-10-2014 10:49 AM ET (US) Hello All, I bought a 1993 13' Sport from my dad three weeks ago. So far, my six year old and I have been out on Narragansett Bay four times with her. The longest trip so far was from Bullock's Cove (Haine's Memorial State Park) to Bristol (about 11 miles each way). I grew up in Marblehead MA sailing small boats (under 20') and although I have been on a lot of motorboats, I have never owned one. Also, this is my first experience out in Narragansett Bay. So far I have taken the online safety course (although haven't taken the proctored test yet) and I have most of the important safety equipment on board except a fire extinguisher and a kill switch lanyard. I ordered a lanyard and it should be here this week. Anyone have any advice for where to go and what to do in Narragansett Bay on a 13 footer? Typically it will just be my six year old son and myself, but sometimes my wife will join us. Where to explore? Click the link below for a couple of pictures... http://www.evernote.com/shard/s20/sh/26234416-f1e1-4cff-8853-5816f8b61f99/b20d7016eda4c0440f74de521a6ae1cc -Tom
pcrussell50	posted 06-11-2014 01:17 PM ET (US) Looks just like my '85. Congrats, you have a fine boat. Probably the most seaworthy boat for it's size that is readily available. I know. I had a different boat of the same size, and while it was sexier looking than the utilitarian Whaler, it was a toy in comparison when it comes to seaworthiness, even if it's not the most comfortable rough-water ride. As a west coast fellow, I don't know a thing about where you are, except that flying over and around Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay area, it looks like it's full of fine boating... at least as far as I can tell from the air. Get out and explore, and keep in mind that just because it won't sink, it doesn't mean it can't capsize or be rendered inoperative far form safety if it becomes swamped. So use all due diligence, and don't go into poor conditions saying, "It's a Whaler, it's OK". You're best off avoiding dangerous situations where "Whalerness" might save you. The 15 footer has more V to the hull, giving it a better ride in rough water and more potential for top speed. It is very popular. The 13 seems to be more stable when standing on the gunwales, and with it's flat bottom, it planes out at ridiculously slow speeds... both characteristics I like in a Whaler. For speed, I have boats that are specifically built for that, which are considerably faster than the 15. So to me, the 15 is kind of a 'tweener... not fast enough to be fast, and not flat enough to be as utilitarian as I like. But I'm the odd one out on that around here. And I'd still buy one if I found it at a price I couldn't refuse, but mostly because I just like Whalers, no matter what kind. -Peter
Drmorison	posted 06-12-2014 07:13 PM ET (US) Thanks for the response, Peter. Rest assured I will be pretty conservative with my child on board. I am happy to be on the water!
EJO	posted 06-16-2014 06:33 PM ET (US) Nice looking boat you "guys" will enjoy her for a long time. Check with your local United States Power Squadron (USPS) www.usps.org as they offer great courses to better your boater skills and heed Peter's advice with a smaller boat like that.