Comparing Boston Whaler 1990 31 and 1991 31L

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Author Topic:   Comparing Boston Whaler 1990 31 and 1991 31L

jimp posted 08-12-2015 06:30 PM ET (US)
Well, after 18 years of my fantastic 1990 Boston Whaler Revenge 22 – W.T. in Southeast Alaska it may be time to go bigger - 9-footitis.
A lot of “old” information here and about the 1990 and 1991 31’s
Diesel or gas
Vibration
Noise
etc
There are three that I’m interested in:
132-nautical miles away:
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1990/Boston-Whaler-31-2821007/AK/ United-States
900-nautical miles away
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1990/ Boston-Whaler-31%27-Sport-Fish-2864195/Blaine/WA/United-States
3,800 road miles away – got a great word document from the dealer (not much info in Yachtworld) – VERY NICE BOAT
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1991/Boston-Whaler-31-L-2832185/ Near-Keyport/NJ/United-States
Obviously, they each have pros & cons.
Anybody have any recent experience?
Thanks.
JimP

msirof2001 posted 08-12-2015 08:11 PM ET (US)
I personally would only consider the diesels. Because of reliability and mileage. Would be interesting to figure out the 20K difference between the two diesel boats.
Those 31 foot Whalers of that day and age is a great way to get an Ocean Sport Roamer for 20% of the cost.
frontier posted 08-12-2015 11:13 PM ET (US)
In 1991 the base price for a 31L was $169,900.
A 1991 17 Montauk base price was $9730.
Your used 31's sure seem like a bargain.
Jeff posted 08-12-2015 11:26 PM ET (US)
Jim,
Rory Hughes has a 32 Vigilant which is the same hull as the 31. He removed the I/O's and installed an Armstrong Bracket and Twin Yamaha 300's. I was on this boat back in January and it performed so well I was surprised. Rory claims his average cruise speed and mph are both imroved over the old 360hp mercruiser 454 V8's.
https://picasaweb.google.com/103421531781813483446/ 32BostonWhalerVigilant?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCc1bKY0PzumgE
He also has a 31 too down in Mexico and he claims it is Pig. It is a lot slower and consumed more fuel than the Vigilant with the same hull form but powered with I/O's.

He would be a great person for you to talk to. I am not sure if he makes it on here still. His handle was Whaler27. If you want to email me I can pass along his phone number. He has a lot of first hand knowledge that could help you.
Peter posted 08-13-2015 09:33 AM ET (US)
I'm not a big fan of inboard powered boats, but if I were considering a 31 foot inboard powered boat like the Boston Whaler 31/31L I think I would consider buying a Pursuit/Tiara of similar or later vintage before the Boston Whaler 31/31L. S2 Yachts had far more experience building inboard powered boats than Whaler.
Jefecinco posted 08-13-2015 09:56 AM ET (US)
I would think unsinkability would be a major consideration for boating in Alaskan waters.
Butch
Peter posted 08-13-2015 10:00 AM ET (US)
It's not clear to me that the 31/31L is unsinkable. There is no swamped capacity specification for that model. A 31 foot boat is large enough to bring along a life raft if sinking is a concern.
jimp posted 08-13-2015 02:45 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the replies and info.
Pursuits/Tiaras - good boats. Dad had a 28' Pursuit Denali for 14 years, gave it up when he turned 83 yrs old. Great boat, very well thought out. Brother-in-law and friends have 23 and 24 foot Pursuits. Pursuit dealership on Long Island near our ancestrial home makes you drool.
I've always liked the 31 and particularly the 31L. And when the bug hits you...
From what I've found, cruising speed with diesels 24 kts, tops 27 knots? 1.5 nmpg?
Currently cruising at 29 knots with the Revenge. But I grew up in Chris Crafts and Posts that cruised at 20 knots and topped at 27. Should be OK.
Value of 1990 electronics versus 2012 electronics (radar, GPS, fathometer)?
Still lots to think about.
JimP
Peter posted 08-14-2015 10:18 AM ET (US)
1990 era electronics have no value. Figure a minimum $5K investment in modern electronics (MFD + Radar).
I upsized from a Revenge 22 to a Whaler 27 WD and then downsized to a Pursuit 2470 Walk Around. The Pursuit is well built, softer ride than all Whalers I've had but wetter than the Whalers. Of course it is not unsinkable.
Interesting side bar -- One thing that I found significantly different between the Whalers (Revenge 22 and Whaler 27 WD) and the Pursuit is that I sleep better in the cabin of the Pursuit than the Whalers. The Whaler cabins tended to be noisy (hear every little wave that slaps against the hull) and the Whaler's hull shape tends to rock sharply in small waves when on the hook.
Jeff posted 08-14-2015 10:29 AM ET (US)
Jim,
If you would consider a Pursuit / Tiara, have you looked into the 80's 2700 Open? That is a really big 27' boat with lots of beam. It is a robust overbuilt seaworthy craft that is efficient on fuel and even came in a diesel offering.
jimp posted 08-14-2015 11:58 AM ET (US)
Peter/Jeff -
Thanks.
I've never had trouble sleeping on the Revenge. Always find a very sheltered float (Why anchor when a float is available in a sheltered remote area of SE Alaska? The State provides a number of them.), get on the lee side, and have the stern towards any wave action - don't get the slap under the smirk. Also added a full-sized memory foam mattress on top of the v-berth cushions and a comforter - sleeping is good!
Agree about the 1990's electronics.
Looked at the Pursuits. Newer (2000s) 30-ft Express looks nice with outboards. Lots of them out there. With 4-stroke outboards they seem fairly fuel efficient ~1.5 nmpg.
JimP
martyn1075 posted 08-14-2015 01:48 PM ET (US)
Pursuits have a nice balance of cabin boat with some fishing ability as well. A Terra not so much. If you are into fishing and I think you are with the abundance of salmon and Halibut where you live it would be a shame to abandon that great pocket rocket 22 you have. I guess if you are really into a bigger boat you could get a 15 classic whaler and have your cake and eat it to.
Just got back from a fishing adventure up North and it was simply outstanding!!
jimh posted 08-14-2015 06:07 PM ET (US)
For years there was a Whaler 31 moored on the seawall at the marina in Northport. I never saw the owner, but I always admired that boat whenever we walked by it. I noticed this Summer that he's not in his usual slip, and I don't see that boat around. Maybe it's for sale, too. It looked like it spent a lot of time in fresh water, which is very easy on older boats.
EJO posted 08-18-2015 12:53 PM ET (US)
Yes of course Tiara's and for that matter Pursuits are also great boats, but I don't think you can find a Tiara in the price range Jimp is looking at. They seem to hold their value pretty well. Tiara is a great quality boat like the Boston Whalers. Went thru their factory many times in Holland, MI and see many of them here on the Great Lakes.
Nothing wrong with a good diesel or even gas powered inboard 30' plus boat. I agree with IO's not being desirable especially in salt water.
Good luck in your search.
ps Peter they sell machines that imitate the sound of slapping water to a hull, they grey noise puts a lot of people to sleep.

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Author	Topic: Comparing Boston Whaler 1990 31 and 1991 31L
jimp	posted 08-12-2015 06:30 PM ET (US) Well, after 18 years of my fantastic 1990 Boston Whaler Revenge 22 – W.T. in Southeast Alaska it may be time to go bigger - 9-footitis. A lot of “old” information here and about the 1990 and 1991 31’s Diesel or gas Vibration Noise etc There are three that I’m interested in: 132-nautical miles away: http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1990/Boston-Whaler-31-2821007/AK/ United-States 900-nautical miles away http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1990/ Boston-Whaler-31%27-Sport-Fish-2864195/Blaine/WA/United-States 3,800 road miles away – got a great word document from the dealer (not much info in Yachtworld) – VERY NICE BOAT http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1991/Boston-Whaler-31-L-2832185/ Near-Keyport/NJ/United-States Obviously, they each have pros & cons. Anybody have any recent experience? Thanks. JimP
msirof2001	posted 08-12-2015 08:11 PM ET (US) I personally would only consider the diesels. Because of reliability and mileage. Would be interesting to figure out the 20K difference between the two diesel boats. Those 31 foot Whalers of that day and age is a great way to get an Ocean Sport Roamer for 20% of the cost.
frontier	posted 08-12-2015 11:13 PM ET (US) In 1991 the base price for a 31L was $169,900. A 1991 17 Montauk base price was $9730. Your used 31's sure seem like a bargain.
Jeff	posted 08-12-2015 11:26 PM ET (US) Jim, Rory Hughes has a 32 Vigilant which is the same hull as the 31. He removed the I/O's and installed an Armstrong Bracket and Twin Yamaha 300's. I was on this boat back in January and it performed so well I was surprised. Rory claims his average cruise speed and mph are both imroved over the old 360hp mercruiser 454 V8's. https://picasaweb.google.com/103421531781813483446/ 32BostonWhalerVigilant?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCc1bKY0PzumgE He also has a 31 too down in Mexico and he claims it is Pig. It is a lot slower and consumed more fuel than the Vigilant with the same hull form but powered with I/O's. He would be a great person for you to talk to. I am not sure if he makes it on here still. His handle was Whaler27. If you want to email me I can pass along his phone number. He has a lot of first hand knowledge that could help you.
Peter	posted 08-13-2015 09:33 AM ET (US) I'm not a big fan of inboard powered boats, but if I were considering a 31 foot inboard powered boat like the Boston Whaler 31/31L I think I would consider buying a Pursuit/Tiara of similar or later vintage before the Boston Whaler 31/31L. S2 Yachts had far more experience building inboard powered boats than Whaler.
Jefecinco	posted 08-13-2015 09:56 AM ET (US) I would think unsinkability would be a major consideration for boating in Alaskan waters. Butch
Peter	posted 08-13-2015 10:00 AM ET (US) It's not clear to me that the 31/31L is unsinkable. There is no swamped capacity specification for that model. A 31 foot boat is large enough to bring along a life raft if sinking is a concern.
jimp	posted 08-13-2015 02:45 PM ET (US) Thanks for the replies and info. Pursuits/Tiaras - good boats. Dad had a 28' Pursuit Denali for 14 years, gave it up when he turned 83 yrs old. Great boat, very well thought out. Brother-in-law and friends have 23 and 24 foot Pursuits. Pursuit dealership on Long Island near our ancestrial home makes you drool. I've always liked the 31 and particularly the 31L. And when the bug hits you... From what I've found, cruising speed with diesels 24 kts, tops 27 knots? 1.5 nmpg? Currently cruising at 29 knots with the Revenge. But I grew up in Chris Crafts and Posts that cruised at 20 knots and topped at 27. Should be OK. Value of 1990 electronics versus 2012 electronics (radar, GPS, fathometer)? Still lots to think about. JimP
Peter	posted 08-14-2015 10:18 AM ET (US) 1990 era electronics have no value. Figure a minimum $5K investment in modern electronics (MFD + Radar). I upsized from a Revenge 22 to a Whaler 27 WD and then downsized to a Pursuit 2470 Walk Around. The Pursuit is well built, softer ride than all Whalers I've had but wetter than the Whalers. Of course it is not unsinkable. Interesting side bar -- One thing that I found significantly different between the Whalers (Revenge 22 and Whaler 27 WD) and the Pursuit is that I sleep better in the cabin of the Pursuit than the Whalers. The Whaler cabins tended to be noisy (hear every little wave that slaps against the hull) and the Whaler's hull shape tends to rock sharply in small waves when on the hook.
Jeff	posted 08-14-2015 10:29 AM ET (US) Jim, If you would consider a Pursuit / Tiara, have you looked into the 80's 2700 Open? That is a really big 27' boat with lots of beam. It is a robust overbuilt seaworthy craft that is efficient on fuel and even came in a diesel offering.
jimp	posted 08-14-2015 11:58 AM ET (US) Peter/Jeff - Thanks. I've never had trouble sleeping on the Revenge. Always find a very sheltered float (Why anchor when a float is available in a sheltered remote area of SE Alaska? The State provides a number of them.), get on the lee side, and have the stern towards any wave action - don't get the slap under the smirk. Also added a full-sized memory foam mattress on top of the v-berth cushions and a comforter - sleeping is good! Agree about the 1990's electronics. Looked at the Pursuits. Newer (2000s) 30-ft Express looks nice with outboards. Lots of them out there. With 4-stroke outboards they seem fairly fuel efficient ~1.5 nmpg. JimP
martyn1075	posted 08-14-2015 01:48 PM ET (US) Pursuits have a nice balance of cabin boat with some fishing ability as well. A Terra not so much. If you are into fishing and I think you are with the abundance of salmon and Halibut where you live it would be a shame to abandon that great pocket rocket 22 you have. I guess if you are really into a bigger boat you could get a 15 classic whaler and have your cake and eat it to. Just got back from a fishing adventure up North and it was simply outstanding!!
jimh	posted 08-14-2015 06:07 PM ET (US) For years there was a Whaler 31 moored on the seawall at the marina in Northport. I never saw the owner, but I always admired that boat whenever we walked by it. I noticed this Summer that he's not in his usual slip, and I don't see that boat around. Maybe it's for sale, too. It looked like it spent a lot of time in fresh water, which is very easy on older boats.
EJO	posted 08-18-2015 12:53 PM ET (US) Yes of course Tiara's and for that matter Pursuits are also great boats, but I don't think you can find a Tiara in the price range Jimp is looking at. They seem to hold their value pretty well. Tiara is a great quality boat like the Boston Whalers. Went thru their factory many times in Holland, MI and see many of them here on the Great Lakes. Nothing wrong with a good diesel or even gas powered inboard 30' plus boat. I agree with IO's not being desirable especially in salt water. Good luck in your search. ps Peter they sell machines that imitate the sound of slapping water to a hull, they grey noise puts a lot of people to sleep.