posted 07-15-2006 08:23 AM ET (US)        

I launched her around 7:00 last night. Pulled away from the ramp, idled through the no wake zone and as soon as I was clear I gave it all she had. She jumped right out of the water, planed perfectly and really moved out well. The boat handles beautifully, turns well and has no purpoising at all. I did not have a Speedo or GPS. I would give a conservative estimate of about 35 MPH. I ran it around for about an hour and the pulled and parked her in my slip for overnight. She looks great sitting there.

For those of you unfamiliar with the boat it is a 1995 Rage 15 with a 1991 Yamaha 70 Outboard on a aluminum set back / jack plate bracket.

I will take some pics this weekend and post. I have to tell you I am still grinning from ear to ear. What a journey to get here and what a boat! Thanks again Bob for having the courage to do this originally, I now have a one of a kind Whaler that I am really proud of!

Oh yeah and thanks Jim for this great forum.

Scott

posted 07-16-2006 08:25 AM ET (US)            

Happy Whalering!

posted 07-17-2006 04:31 PM ET (US)            

I picked up another Rage 15 with a blown 115 OMC in it and plan on doing another conversion - I have some new ideas having been through this once already.

Feel free to email me and I would gladly share pics and details on what I have done - If you are local you are more then welcome to come see the boat for yourself.

posted 07-18-2006 07:56 AM ET (US)            

Thanks for the compliments - All I did was see your vision through.

When people come down our lagoon they all take a second glance at the little whaler with and outboard hanging off the back - it truly is a unique piece.

The kids cannot get any wheel time in NJ anymore - they have to be 16 now and take a safety course to get a liscense. I logged about 8 hours of motor run time this weekend - They were with me for every hour of it (my nephew and niece as well).

I was thinking about raising the motor - it feels like its in the water too low right now - Its hard to see when you are zipping along because of the big back deck. All I can say is when I start working the trim the boat really starts to lift out of the water and fly.

I started the weekend with the gas tank full and its still full - who knows when I will have to refill it!

Take care
Scott

posted 07-19-2006 11:33 AM ET (US)            

It has turned out to be a great little package - with a ton of storage space. - The hatch also makes a great place to carry a tube as well so it doesn't interfere with passenger comfort.

posted 07-20-2006 09:25 AM ET (US)            

Right now that center comparment is empty - its big enough for me to sit down in. I have my vests stored on one side and nothing in the center or other side. I am fearful its going to give me a liscense to pack rat some stuff in there. I have to be carefull of weight I would think.

posted 07-20-2006 10:30 AM ET (US)            

I can't wait to see the pictures I hear you did a great job. It's good to know we don't have to trash the boat because of an obsolete drive set up.

Thanks.
Bill

posted 07-31-2006 11:42 PM ET (US)            

With approximately 24" of setback, you could tilt the engine clear of the water, have plenty of additional flotation while at rest, and the equivalent of a 17' hull.

posted 08-01-2006 06:25 AM ET (US)            

I have some neat plans for this one... stay tuned. I will start working on it when my new house is complete(some time this winter).

posted 06-08-2010 04:20 PM ET (US)            

Can you tell me more aboutthe motor bracket that you used in your conversion.Where exactly did you buy it,and for how much.

Is the boat still going strong and was the conversion a success?

Thanks.

posted 09-11-2011 09:37 AM ET (US)            

I was recently given a 1994 14' Rage that was in the process of being converted into an outboard. I'm interested in selling it. The jet drive has been removed, and the hull has been professionally fiber glassed in. It comes with a trailer. It also has a nice outboard bracket that has not been mounted yet.

posted 02-17-2014 10:37 AM ET (US)            

I'm new to the site and own a 96 Rage 18 with an 06 Redline v8 that only has +-30 hrs on it. The boat has a few flaws but is in excellent shape for its age. I puchased it last summer and although it runs fine, I don't care for the jet drive and its drawbacks (poor handeling @ low speed and top end limit of 40mph).

I see that several people have done an outboard conversion on the Rage's, but cant find any info on putting an I/O drive on mine in place of the jet. Has anyone done this or checked if it is even possible?

I am fully aware that this would be a heck of a project, but I love the boat and really like owning something different. Personally I feel that whaler hit it out of the park with the looks/layout of this model, it just had the wrong propulsion system.Thoughts?

posted 02-18-2014 07:33 AM ET (US)            

To answer your question - I have never seen one converted to sterndrive, however there is no reason not to explore the possibility. Back in 2005 putting an outboard was thought to be not possible. Now there are hundreds of them around.

Post up some good pictures of the transom area and start doing some measuring. Find a local boat with a sterndrive already installed and crawl around it and see whats involved. The only other area of considering is transom thickness. I am pretty sure Mercruiser has a specific transom thickness and angle they are looking for.