posted 12-11-2001 03:32 PM ET (US)            

I like your canvas set up. The top frame looks like it is not as heavy or as large-size tubing as many radar arches, yet it provides part of that functionality.

posted 12-12-2001 08:32 PM ET (US)            

Your comments about the similarity of the hullforms prompted me to make some further inquiries about this, with the result that the best recollection of those polled is that the actual hull was not changed at all (or very little). It was the interior or liner mold that got a revision in the late 1980's.

Accordingly I have revised those parts of the article which formerly led readers astray.

Perhaps I have been a bit judgemental in my assessment of the bow rail layout. I have not tried the V-22 foredeck myself, so I will have to rely on your first hand knowledge. I invite you elaborate on the railing and its handiness in various situations.

The same goes for getting to and from the foredeck without the convenience of the walk-through.

The pictures I used were the first I had available of a V-22 Revenge, and if there are others out there who would like to have their V-22 Revenge included I would welcome their submission; I can add them to the article.

posted 12-13-2001 11:09 AM ET (US)         

Same for Suzuki with their metallic ultra-dark grey. It is so close to pure black I can't believe it.

You'd think both of these companies would want to distinguish themselves from Mercury, rather than copy them!

posted 12-13-2001 02:41 PM ET (US)         

So possibly it came from removing the ribs, which were considered a molding and hull cleaning nightmare? Taking "Revenge" on the ill-fated "Outrage" ribs (which I happen to think were really distinctive and attractive).

It also could be that a person who is "Outraged" may be seeking "Revenge"? Who knows. One other thought is that this first auotmotive windshield styled model Whaler, could be "Revenge" against those (including other boat companies) who thought only of Whalers as center console boats. Kind of "we'll show these hardnosed guys that we can make a rugged boat (as opposed to the wimpy sit down boats of the others) that appeals to the wife also, and steal their market"?

The Defiance name, which I'm not particularly excited about, actually came from the CPD, 30' & 36' aluminum hulled patrol boat models.
Doesn't seem particularly suited to a boat billed as a sportfisherman.

The "Dauntless" name doesn't move me in either direction. I can take it or leave it.
It wouldn't be considered "Dauntless" in heavy offshore seas, however.

The ones I really don't like are "Ventura" and "Conquest". Ventura brings up images of some dim witted California hippie/surfer types of the 60's,(I keep thinking of the song "Ventura Highway") a notion & place so far from Boston Whaler's original heritage. These bow rider boats should be moved over to the SeaRay line and be done with it. "Conquest" brings to mind the Holy Wars of the Great Crusades and the gold plundering of the Spanish Main! Hardly appropriate to a model designed to appeal to women desiring the creature comforts of a "cruiser" sleep aboard type boat. With the Taliban in the news, the word Conquest surely
can't be an appealing boat name to women, who Whaler is now claiming to be designing for!
Maybe they figured that if you put a macho masculine name on it, the men could justify owning the boat in spite of the wife's demands!

posted 12-13-2001 06:44 PM ET (US)            

If there was a patent on the 60 degree V6,
it has long since expired. It has to do with
balance.

Some engine designs are naturally dynamically
balanced. Here's a partial list:

Inline 6
60 degree V6
90 degree V8
any V12 (which is two balanced inline 6s,
hence still balanced)

Some are naturally unbalanced. Again a
partial list:

1 cyl.
inline 4s
90 degree V6s.
flat 4s (I think)
flat 6s (I think)

Inline 4s get used in the auto world because
they are cheap to build (fewer parts) and
cheapskates will put up with the vibration.

90 degree V6s were popular for a while in the
auto world because they could be built on the
same lines that had built the (suddenly
unpopular gas guzzling) 90 degree V8s.

I can't imagine why anybody would build a
90 degree V6 unless they had an idle 90
degree line. (Actually, the intake manifold
routing is easier on an 90degree V6 because
there's more room between the cylinders.
But that's a nit.)

posted 12-13-2001 07:08 PM ET (US)         

When Yamaha entered the market in the mid eighties , they, too, chose the 90 degree design, basically copying OMC's idea, while copying Mercury's lower unit design. Later, they closed the V down to 76 degrees, and still don't make a 60 degree 2 stroke.

OMC quietly adopted the 60 degree design in the early 90's, and at least in the 150HP model, the 60 degree engine was a huge improvement over the old 90 degree design. A very fast engine, like the Merc 150. It appears the 60 degree v-4's have been good
performers also.

posted 12-14-2001 08:00 AM ET (US)            

Realizing this continues to be a little off topic here but interesting, I don't believe that the Merc's patents were on the pure concept of a 60 degree V6 block because that would have been an obvious angle to choose for a V6 due to the inherent balance as Chuck points out. It would also have been unpatentable, in my opinion. However, because the space between the cylinder banks is narrower in a 60 degree construction rather than a 90, and because the V6 outboards reverse the exhaust routing (inboard between the cylinders instead of on the outboard side like in an automobile) there were probably exhaust packaging and cooling problems that had to be overcome. My guess is that the patents were directed to solutions to such problems.

posted 12-14-2001 03:28 PM ET (US)         

Actually, you are right about Whalering anywhere on the Pacific coast. From what I've seen, it could easily be a lot more challenging than the East Coast.

posted 12-17-2001 09:17 PM ET (US)            

Anyway, as a West Coast Whaler owner, I just wanted to convey that most serious boaters in my area know all about Whalers and what makes them special. And, I wouldn’t totally exclude us West Coasters from the Whaler tradition.

posted 12-17-2001 10:01 PM ET (US)            

Having owned that 22 W/T for 5 years, I really think it was one of the most versitile and well thought out boats that Whaler has made.

As far as the lexan hatch goes, I had similar problems with mine, especially the day that a pebble got caught between the lexan and the fiberglass cover it slides under, and my wife forced it shut - OH what a noise and what a scratch! (I have since forgiven her)

My bigest dislike of the boat was the fact that Whaler continued the headliner out into the side pockets port and starboard of the helm seat. When I took posession of the boat, the first thing I did was to rip the headliner out of these pockets. But this was really inconsequential and the boat really worked out great for us for the next five years.

posted 12-18-2001 06:37 PM ET (US)            

I wonder how difficult it would be for me to get a hold of the number of smaller slips in my Harbor, short of calling the six marinas involved. However, both Channel Islands Harbor and Ventura Harbor have quite a few private slips in front of harbor-front homes.