posted 04-12-2001 10:44 PM ET (US)         

It began life in 1991 as a 23 Walkaround, one of Peter VanLancker's first re-designs of the larger Whalers. When the Walkarounds didn't sell well, they converted it to an Outrage in 1994, and dropped the 25 Outrage, which by then was far to costly too build for Reebock's rapidly increasing loss picture.

I doesn't have as much interior space as the 25 (it's about 10" shorter), but rides well into a head sea. But not as stable laterally at all as the 25, and probably if all overall performance features were considered, is still out-performed by the 25 for most boating conditions. I've seen a few Coast Guard versions of the boat, and they are nice. A full transom, Whaler Drive model was never offered, probably in the interest of keeping the cost down during these dark days at Whaler.

Don't have the slightest idea why the Brunswick/Sea Ray folks dropped it. But I think they wanted every boat in the line to be their own design and construction. It was not a huge seller, but nor were any of the Reebock/Meridian era boats.

I friend had one, and he did not think it was particularly well made, with a lot of problems (a 1994 model). Admittedly, he is hard on a boat! One true problem they had on these was a serious, patchy, yellowing of the white gelcoat. I think faulty material was used.

Some of us here also know of a VERY KNOWLEDGABLE Boston Whaler boater who fell out of one of these while trolling alone on Lake Erie, and died from Hypothermia (in 72 degree water) 8 miles offshore in his life jacket. Because of the high sides, he possibly lost his balance reaching over, and fell overboard, was evidently unable to climb back in the moving boat. At least that was my suspicion. His prior boat was an 18 Outrage. I mentioned this possiblity to a Whaler rep, and he was furious with me! Who knows? I do think the lower sided Whalers are better and safer for fishing & trolling activities. I don't go trolling alone anymore after hearing about this.