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Author Topic:   RAGE: Convert to Outboard Engine

rghdc posted 12-08-2006 09:29 AM ET (US)
I noticed a number of Boston Whaler Rage models for sale with jet drive/engine failures. I was curious as to whether anyone has attempted to convert one of these jet drive hulls to an outboard? If so what was the outcome? Is there any information about the transom lay-up? I have extensive experience with major fiberglass repairs/reconstruction so closing up the hull is not an issue. Regards--Bob
kamie posted 12-08-2006 09:33 AM ET (US)
Bob--do a search. Several folks have done what your asking about.continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/011418.html
alfa posted 12-08-2006 09:34 AM ET (US)
Bob--this conversion has already been done. Use the search function, you'll get a lot of feedback. Good luck
rghdc posted 12-08-2006 09:39 AM ET (US)
Thanks for the heads up. I thought it strange that no one would have attempted it before. Sorry for asking the same old question--obviously [I] did not look deeply enough in the old posts to find the topic. Thanks again! Regards--Bob
sraab928 posted 12-08-2006 02:28 PM ET (US)
Bob, feel free to email me - I have done this conversion and am getting ready to do another. I can't take the credit for the initial idea. That has to go to my friend Mr. Kemmler who is also a board member here.
Whale Plug posted 12-20-2008 12:20 PM ET (US)
I'm in the middle of converting a Rage 15 to an outboard. I had a miserable time getting the jet drive out but sraab928 gave me the reserve power that I needed. I asked him early on and he was so helpful, sent pix and then told me to "be patient" in taking out the jet drive. Well I was at my wits end when after 3 weeks it wouldn't budge. Yes "Rage" indeed. I was in the engine compartment, I'm 5'7" @ 200 lbs, and I couldn't get a tooth on a prying point. I was going to give up and sell the hull as -is but I remembered Mr sraab928's words, "be patient". I went to the transom pounded a screw driver between the drive and the fiberglass lip and heard a creak! I then took a chisel and did the same got more of a creak and tried it on the other side. A lot of creak and the boat settled back down to the trailer and the floor jack that I used to jack the entire drive and boat held the drive in the air above the lip!!! Let me say that I used a product "Marine Formula" from the DeBond Corp in Florida and it definitely does it's stuff. It softened the 5200 and days later eventually did allow the screwdriver to be inserted and then let the drive loose without glass damage. Without it I think the boat would have been sold or dynamited! Use the stuff as it says and I think you will do OK. Remember the 2 bolts in the transom and there is the underside bolt at the front of the oil drain, remove as much of the underside hardware as there might be bolts holding there too and also you will be able sell the used parts rather than mash them. I'll post more and have pix that I will update as soon as I figure how to insert then here. THANK YOU sraab928 and DeBond!!!
Whale Plug posted 12-20-2008 12:27 PM ET (US)
Originally posted Oct 2008. Yup, here's the scenario. Same old story, Boston Whaler Rage 15 with, guess what, a messed up OMC 115. What a surprise! Well, with the gracious encouragement of sraab928, I'm going to attempt the Whaler Plug dance and convert this sad memory of being on the water here in Florida to a new hope of getting wet. I've done some floor and transom repair using epoxy and marine ply before so I have a smattering of what it will take. Mind you, not to the professional looking extent of Mr. sraab928's completion, but I hope to achieve the good looks he has accomplished with careful attention. There is a person that mentioned where to put an auxiliary on the Rage. I put mine on the starboard side with a West Marine bracket and stainless bolts. I use a Johnson 6 hp and get 5 miles an hour flat out, enough to get me back home and it appears to be secure enough for that (after a few times of having the OMC 115 do what it does best...STRAND YOU!). Pic on demand. After the conversion that I am going to do I will use a coupler so the main engine can steer the aux. seeing that the swim platform will be gone and no way to levitate myself to steer the aux. Any comments are appreciated. Thanks sraab928!!!
TerryR posted 11-24-2009 12:20 PM ET (US)
I have a 1995 Boston Whaler Rage 15 With 49 4/10 hours on it. I have thought of converting it over at some point. Could some one send pictures and info on the procedure that is needed to complete this? Thanks! TerryR in North Carolina @ firstboxer@yahoo.com
jimh posted 01-18-2012 09:33 PM ET (US)
After being dormant for about four years this thread was revived but the new articles were not appropriate for this discussion area and have been deleted.
Binkster posted 01-19-2012 07:34 AM ET (US)
For some reason, converted to outboard Rage's don't sell for very much, compared to other Whalers of approximately the same size. I'm not sure why. It seems like a logical idea though. Maybe it's that would be buyers of converted Rages are skeptical that the conversion was done in a professional manner, or maybe there are handling problems, or it could be that non runners with the jet drive are so cheap to buy, I don't know, but I gave up on the plan to buy one and convert it to outboard.

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Author	Topic: RAGE: Convert to Outboard Engine
rghdc	posted 12-08-2006 09:29 AM ET (US) I noticed a number of Boston Whaler Rage models for sale with jet drive/engine failures. I was curious as to whether anyone has attempted to convert one of these jet drive hulls to an outboard? If so what was the outcome? Is there any information about the transom lay-up? I have extensive experience with major fiberglass repairs/reconstruction so closing up the hull is not an issue. Regards--Bob
kamie	posted 12-08-2006 09:33 AM ET (US) Bob--do a search. Several folks have done what your asking about.continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/011418.html
alfa	posted 12-08-2006 09:34 AM ET (US) Bob--this conversion has already been done. Use the search function, you'll get a lot of feedback. Good luck
rghdc	posted 12-08-2006 09:39 AM ET (US) Thanks for the heads up. I thought it strange that no one would have attempted it before. Sorry for asking the same old question--obviously [I] did not look deeply enough in the old posts to find the topic. Thanks again! Regards--Bob
sraab928	posted 12-08-2006 02:28 PM ET (US) Bob, feel free to email me - I have done this conversion and am getting ready to do another. I can't take the credit for the initial idea. That has to go to my friend Mr. Kemmler who is also a board member here.
Whale Plug	posted 12-20-2008 12:20 PM ET (US) I'm in the middle of converting a Rage 15 to an outboard. I had a miserable time getting the jet drive out but sraab928 gave me the reserve power that I needed. I asked him early on and he was so helpful, sent pix and then told me to "be patient" in taking out the jet drive. Well I was at my wits end when after 3 weeks it wouldn't budge. Yes "Rage" indeed. I was in the engine compartment, I'm 5'7" @ 200 lbs, and I couldn't get a tooth on a prying point. I was going to give up and sell the hull as -is but I remembered Mr sraab928's words, "be patient". I went to the transom pounded a screw driver between the drive and the fiberglass lip and heard a creak! I then took a chisel and did the same got more of a creak and tried it on the other side. A lot of creak and the boat settled back down to the trailer and the floor jack that I used to jack the entire drive and boat held the drive in the air above the lip!!! Let me say that I used a product "Marine Formula" from the DeBond Corp in Florida and it definitely does it's stuff. It softened the 5200 and days later eventually did allow the screwdriver to be inserted and then let the drive loose without glass damage. Without it I think the boat would have been sold or dynamited! Use the stuff as it says and I think you will do OK. Remember the 2 bolts in the transom and there is the underside bolt at the front of the oil drain, remove as much of the underside hardware as there might be bolts holding there too and also you will be able sell the used parts rather than mash them. I'll post more and have pix that I will update as soon as I figure how to insert then here. THANK YOU sraab928 and DeBond!!!
Whale Plug	posted 12-20-2008 12:27 PM ET (US) Originally posted Oct 2008. Yup, here's the scenario. Same old story, Boston Whaler Rage 15 with, guess what, a messed up OMC 115. What a surprise! Well, with the gracious encouragement of sraab928, I'm going to attempt the Whaler Plug dance and convert this sad memory of being on the water here in Florida to a new hope of getting wet. I've done some floor and transom repair using epoxy and marine ply before so I have a smattering of what it will take. Mind you, not to the professional looking extent of Mr. sraab928's completion, but I hope to achieve the good looks he has accomplished with careful attention. There is a person that mentioned where to put an auxiliary on the Rage. I put mine on the starboard side with a West Marine bracket and stainless bolts. I use a Johnson 6 hp and get 5 miles an hour flat out, enough to get me back home and it appears to be secure enough for that (after a few times of having the OMC 115 do what it does best...STRAND YOU!). Pic on demand. After the conversion that I am going to do I will use a coupler so the main engine can steer the aux. seeing that the swim platform will be gone and no way to levitate myself to steer the aux. Any comments are appreciated. Thanks sraab928!!!
TerryR	posted 11-24-2009 12:20 PM ET (US) I have a 1995 Boston Whaler Rage 15 With 49 4/10 hours on it. I have thought of converting it over at some point. Could some one send pictures and info on the procedure that is needed to complete this? Thanks! TerryR in North Carolina @ firstboxer@yahoo.com
jimh	posted 01-18-2012 09:33 PM ET (US) After being dormant for about four years this thread was revived but the new articles were not appropriate for this discussion area and have been deleted.
Binkster	posted 01-19-2012 07:34 AM ET (US) For some reason, converted to outboard Rage's don't sell for very much, compared to other Whalers of approximately the same size. I'm not sure why. It seems like a logical idea though. Maybe it's that would be buyers of converted Rages are skeptical that the conversion was done in a professional manner, or maybe there are handling problems, or it could be that non runners with the jet drive are so cheap to buy, I don't know, but I gave up on the plan to buy one and convert it to outboard.