Doug Merrill's 17' Outrage - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Cetacea Comments
  Doug Merrill's 17' Outrage

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Doug Merrill's 17' Outrage

Mike posted 06-20-2000 09:31 PM ET (US)
Hey! I didn't know a 17' Outrage even existed! Can we get some info and more pictures? I use my 15' 1982 Striper inland and want a little more size and a more substantial seating arrangement. Up till now I have been pondering a Montauk or a Dauntless 16, but the 17' Outrage is intriguing. Does it have a bow anchor locker, making a pedestal seat mount feasible? Could an electric motor be bow mounted? Since I have never seen one in the wild, is it a scarce model, or is finding a good one feasible?
lhg posted 06-20-2000 09:59 PM ET (US)
Mike: The 17' original Outrage (Classic design, by Bob Dougherty) is another one of Whaler's models that got caught in the change-of-ownership transitions that plagued Whaler during the 90's. It was the last Whaler designed by Dougherty, and was introduced to the public in 1991, by which time he and the "old guard" had left the Company. But it was always made in the desert tan color, and seemed like a nice boat. But under Reebok it was given very little advertising and promotion and not many even know about it. They were more interested in pushing the new look designs from their new designer. It was meant to fill the gap between the Montauk and the 18 Outrage, but I don't think many were built. I personally have no experience with it, but have always liked the its lines, since it's clearly a member of the classic Outrage family. Reebok, followed by Meridian, kept it in the line until they could design their own, cheaper and smoother riding version (they said), brought out in 1996 that looked completely different. It, too, was short lived, since Sea Ray wanted to bring out THEIR even smoother riding, Euro, version, which ended up as an 18 Outrage, replacing these Meridian 17 & 19 Outrages. And like all of the Whalers that have come and gone during this period in the 90's, the justification for their demise is always the same - it was too costly to build and finish out. That used to be the INTENTIONAL basis of Whaler's original reputation, but business has changed in these days of new ownership, and those principles of high price and exceptional quality are considered obsolete when you are catering to the masses.
djmerrill posted 06-21-2000 09:50 PM ET (US)
Mike:
From my experience, you and Larry are correct in noting that the Outrage 17 is not one of the more popular Whaler models, primarily for the reasons Larry mentioned. I looked at Whalers for 2 years before finding mine last summer, looking at 17 Montauks & Newports, as well as 17' & 18' Outrages. I wanted a boat to keep on our lake for skiing, but one that was capable of trailering down to Penobscot Bay and the surrounding areas for exploring and day-cruising.
The Outrage seems like a lot more $ than the Montauk, about a $3K premium, but I intend to keep the boat a while, and didn't want to second guess my decision every time I had a teeth rattling hit coming back down from a wave. The Outrage softens the entry somewhat. In my mind, it is a great do-everything boat for all the things that I do. For purely lake use, the Newport would have been ideal. For Bay use, a 20' Outrage would provide more space and a better ride.
I would have taken either a 17 or and 18' Outrage. Mine is the 1st of either I found in the Northeast in good shape for a fair price. The 18' is a little more room (beam particularly) at the price of more weight, which equals more engine. My 17 came with a 90 Yamaha, which pushs the boat to 41 mph with a full tank and me. Its rock solid at 41, no porpoising, chine walking, or other drama. It skiis adequately, but I will get a lower pitch prop for better holeshot for skiing. It cruises at 32mph, which is OK. If buying new, I'd go with a 115, which 2 sources tell me runs 53-55mph. I wouldn't use all that speed, but a high 30s cruise would be nice. The new 115 Yamaha 4-stroke is very attractive, only 50lbs more than the 2-stroke, but also very pricey.
I have been in several 18's on trailers and at the dock, but have not had the pleasure of driving one. I would guess it is marginally more comfortable. I personally like the teak gunnels and broad transom, not available on the 17.
Email me if you have specific questions or items you'd like pictures of. As with most Whaler owners, I'm happy to talk about mine!
Doug
djmerrill posted 06-30-2000 11:12 PM ET (US)
Mike:
I neglected to answer a few of your specifics: First, the 17 Outrage does have a bow anchor locker, like the Montauks. I'm not a fisherman, and am not very familiar with the mounting of trolling motors, but it looks like it would be more difficult on the bow of the outrage than it would be on the bow of a montauk. The outrage has a pointy bow with a narrow deck on the gunnel, under the railing. The montauk has a more square bow, with large triangualar decks on either side of the bow, where I have frequently seen trolling motors mounted.
As far as finding one, check out allaboutboats.com. They have 4-6 most of the time, scattered around the country. Thats were I found mine advertised. Note that this model is very differnt from the 17 Outrage II that came out in 1996. Its 50%heavier, with an Accutrack hull. I haven't been on one, and can't comment positively or negatively about it.
Doug
Mike posted 07-03-2000 03:04 PM ET (US)
Please see my post entitled 17' Outrage in the "Marketplace" forum, concerning a '96 17' Outrage at $17,900. I have a 1998 Whaler catalog which shows a 17' Outrage with an Accutrak hull. The photo of Doug's Whaler looks like it might be the older hull style. Is this correct? If so, would the '96 Outrage I refer to in "Marketplace" be the older hull style or the Accutrak?
Thanks very much for the Outrage info previously posted.
whalernut posted 07-03-2000 05:39 PM ET (US)
Mike, I was at a Boston Whaler dealer in 1995 and saw a new 95` `17 Outrage being bottom painted for a customer. I asked how much are they and the salesman said he can`t get any more in because they were redesigning the hull for 96`. That is the Accutrack hull! So a 96` is the Accutrack style hull. Regards-JACK.
Ed Stone posted 07-04-2000 05:58 AM ET (US)
Mike,
The 17 Outrage with the Accutrack hull was produced 1996 thru 1999.I believe they are still available thru the commercial Div.
Ed Stone
djmerrill posted 07-04-2000 09:51 PM ET (US)
Mike:
My Outrage is a 1991, and is the older (non-accutrak) style.
Doug

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Doug Merrill's 17' Outrage
Mike	posted 06-20-2000 09:31 PM ET (US) Hey! I didn't know a 17' Outrage even existed! Can we get some info and more pictures? I use my 15' 1982 Striper inland and want a little more size and a more substantial seating arrangement. Up till now I have been pondering a Montauk or a Dauntless 16, but the 17' Outrage is intriguing. Does it have a bow anchor locker, making a pedestal seat mount feasible? Could an electric motor be bow mounted? Since I have never seen one in the wild, is it a scarce model, or is finding a good one feasible?
lhg	posted 06-20-2000 09:59 PM ET (US) Mike: The 17' original Outrage (Classic design, by Bob Dougherty) is another one of Whaler's models that got caught in the change-of-ownership transitions that plagued Whaler during the 90's. It was the last Whaler designed by Dougherty, and was introduced to the public in 1991, by which time he and the "old guard" had left the Company. But it was always made in the desert tan color, and seemed like a nice boat. But under Reebok it was given very little advertising and promotion and not many even know about it. They were more interested in pushing the new look designs from their new designer. It was meant to fill the gap between the Montauk and the 18 Outrage, but I don't think many were built. I personally have no experience with it, but have always liked the its lines, since it's clearly a member of the classic Outrage family. Reebok, followed by Meridian, kept it in the line until they could design their own, cheaper and smoother riding version (they said), brought out in 1996 that looked completely different. It, too, was short lived, since Sea Ray wanted to bring out THEIR even smoother riding, Euro, version, which ended up as an 18 Outrage, replacing these Meridian 17 & 19 Outrages. And like all of the Whalers that have come and gone during this period in the 90's, the justification for their demise is always the same - it was too costly to build and finish out. That used to be the INTENTIONAL basis of Whaler's original reputation, but business has changed in these days of new ownership, and those principles of high price and exceptional quality are considered obsolete when you are catering to the masses.
djmerrill	posted 06-21-2000 09:50 PM ET (US) Mike: From my experience, you and Larry are correct in noting that the Outrage 17 is not one of the more popular Whaler models, primarily for the reasons Larry mentioned. I looked at Whalers for 2 years before finding mine last summer, looking at 17 Montauks & Newports, as well as 17' & 18' Outrages. I wanted a boat to keep on our lake for skiing, but one that was capable of trailering down to Penobscot Bay and the surrounding areas for exploring and day-cruising. The Outrage seems like a lot more $ than the Montauk, about a $3K premium, but I intend to keep the boat a while, and didn't want to second guess my decision every time I had a teeth rattling hit coming back down from a wave. The Outrage softens the entry somewhat. In my mind, it is a great do-everything boat for all the things that I do. For purely lake use, the Newport would have been ideal. For Bay use, a 20' Outrage would provide more space and a better ride. I would have taken either a 17 or and 18' Outrage. Mine is the 1st of either I found in the Northeast in good shape for a fair price. The 18' is a little more room (beam particularly) at the price of more weight, which equals more engine. My 17 came with a 90 Yamaha, which pushs the boat to 41 mph with a full tank and me. Its rock solid at 41, no porpoising, chine walking, or other drama. It skiis adequately, but I will get a lower pitch prop for better holeshot for skiing. It cruises at 32mph, which is OK. If buying new, I'd go with a 115, which 2 sources tell me runs 53-55mph. I wouldn't use all that speed, but a high 30s cruise would be nice. The new 115 Yamaha 4-stroke is very attractive, only 50lbs more than the 2-stroke, but also very pricey. I have been in several 18's on trailers and at the dock, but have not had the pleasure of driving one. I would guess it is marginally more comfortable. I personally like the teak gunnels and broad transom, not available on the 17. Email me if you have specific questions or items you'd like pictures of. As with most Whaler owners, I'm happy to talk about mine! Doug
djmerrill	posted 06-30-2000 11:12 PM ET (US) Mike: I neglected to answer a few of your specifics: First, the 17 Outrage does have a bow anchor locker, like the Montauks. I'm not a fisherman, and am not very familiar with the mounting of trolling motors, but it looks like it would be more difficult on the bow of the outrage than it would be on the bow of a montauk. The outrage has a pointy bow with a narrow deck on the gunnel, under the railing. The montauk has a more square bow, with large triangualar decks on either side of the bow, where I have frequently seen trolling motors mounted. As far as finding one, check out allaboutboats.com. They have 4-6 most of the time, scattered around the country. Thats were I found mine advertised. Note that this model is very differnt from the 17 Outrage II that came out in 1996. Its 50%heavier, with an Accutrack hull. I haven't been on one, and can't comment positively or negatively about it. Doug
Mike	posted 07-03-2000 03:04 PM ET (US) Please see my post entitled 17' Outrage in the "Marketplace" forum, concerning a '96 17' Outrage at $17,900. I have a 1998 Whaler catalog which shows a 17' Outrage with an Accutrak hull. The photo of Doug's Whaler looks like it might be the older hull style. Is this correct? If so, would the '96 Outrage I refer to in "Marketplace" be the older hull style or the Accutrak? Thanks very much for the Outrage info previously posted.
whalernut	posted 07-03-2000 05:39 PM ET (US) Mike, I was at a Boston Whaler dealer in 1995 and saw a new 95` `17 Outrage being bottom painted for a customer. I asked how much are they and the salesman said he can`t get any more in because they were redesigning the hull for 96`. That is the Accutrack hull! So a 96` is the Accutrack style hull. Regards-JACK.
Ed Stone	posted 07-04-2000 05:58 AM ET (US) Mike, The 17 Outrage with the Accutrack hull was produced 1996 thru 1999.I believe they are still available thru the commercial Div. Ed Stone
djmerrill	posted 07-04-2000 09:51 PM ET (US) Mike: My Outrage is a 1991, and is the older (non-accutrak) style. Doug