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Author	Topic:   Tiller Power on a 13 Whaler
Rick13	posted 01-04-2009 05:27 PM ET (US)         I am looking at purchasing a mid 60s - mid 80s 13 Whaler. I would like to find a standard model (tiller steer), but will probably end up converting a sport model. From what I have read, it seems max hp on a 13 sport is 40hp and 20-25hp for a standard model (tiller steer). Will a 35-40hp tiller steer be too much power? Is the extra weight a factor? I calculate the 35hp will weigh about 36 pounds more than the 25hp (2 stroke). Thanks. Rick
frisco pete	posted 01-05-2009 07:30 AM ET (US)          If your thinking of using a 4 stroke motor, with 40hp, I think you will find that you have too much weight on the transom, considering the fact that you are sitting further back operating the tiller. It probably will be a wild ride with just you in the boat. Hang on to that tiller. LOL rich
Rick13	posted 01-05-2009 10:05 AM ET (US)             Thinking of a 35-40hp 2 stroke.
Tohsgib	posted 01-05-2009 12:01 PM ET (US)             Nobody makes a 35hp 2 smoke since the 80's. If you are looking at the 80's 35hp. they weigh the same as the 25hp or roughly 120lbs. A 40hp will push it up to around 180lbs which will be a tad too heavy.
fishgutz	posted 01-05-2009 04:07 PM ET (US)             Honda, Tohatsu, and Mercury all make 30 HP that are fairly lightweight. In a tiller, one of those might be the ticket.
Rick13	posted 01-05-2009 07:42 PM ET (US)             Sorry, I should have clarified. I am considering a mid-late 80s 2 stroke 35hp Merc @ 148 pounds vs same vintage 20-25 2 stroke Merc @ 112 pounds. Will the extra weight be too heavy in a tiller set up? I don't plan on using the boat alone. Thanks. Rick
brisboats	posted 01-06-2009 07:10 AM ET (US)             The weight of the larger motor will not be a problem. But the lighter 25 horsepower tiller would be more than adequate power. Brian
Tohsgib	posted 01-06-2009 12:18 PM ET (US)             Thise 35's were one of the worst engines Mercury ever made. Weak in hp and pretty unreliable. BUT...being that it is 20+ years old, it is most likely one of the reliable ones. I agree that the 25 would be more than adequate.
number9	posted 01-07-2009 12:19 AM ET (US)             Reasons tiller steer boats from the same boat builder have lower maximum hp rating compared to there wheel steer version has nothing to do with the weight of the motor. It's USCG regulations and a control issue. The same identical hull without the wheel steering and and other add ons actually weighs less and lower rating doesn't have any thing to do with the operator sitting aft. Think about it, all it takes to capsize a 13' Whaler with a 40hp motor is a instant rapid full steering movement at a high power setting or having the tiller jerked out of your control after hitting a floating log or stump. One of my neighbors had just that happen a couple of years ago when an inexperienced operator capsized their's right at the dock. If you do end up getting a tiller boat, convert to wheel and increase it's hp over rating you may want to replace the capacity plate to reflect current rating.
brisboats	posted 01-07-2009 09:03 AM ET (US)             The beauty of the tiller steer is the increase in manuverbility with the quick steering. If the boat is to be used as work skiff it is a much better setup. A 25 hp tiller motor without the weight of the battery and interior componentry will perform almost as well and provide as much fun as a 35-40 hp remote powered boat. It really depends what the boat will be used for. Brian

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