posted 01-21-2004 01:58 PM ET (US)        

I'm a first time potential buyer of a BW. I'll be trailering on the back of my Toyota Tacoma and launching at lakes and ponds in northerern New England. I expect never to have more than 4 people in the boat.Some fishing,slow cruising and general relaxing are my intended uses. Pulling a skier is a nice to have but not an absolute.I have a few questions.

Is there significant towing characteristics differences between the 11,13 and 15 footers. I have little trailer experiences.

Do BW dealers negotiate at all on their basic packages or are BW's a fixed price commodity like Saturn autos?

Are there usually good deals available at boat show ? New England's is coming up in February.

The options I think I'll add are bimini top, swim ladder, compass, fish/depth finder, comfort and safety packages. Am I missing anything important ?

Thanks,

posted 01-21-2004 02:36 PM ET (US)            

The differences in dimensions and weight are significant. Look at the specs. The only spec that doesn't differ is draft. You loose no shallow water capability by going larger. Look at the pictures on the web site at how low the 130 sits in the water with two people, and how high the 150 sits with two. Major difference.

Of course, the larger you go, the more you pay.

I'd consider none of them skiable with the max load of people, but the 150 would be closest to that with 2 in the boat.

I've owned a 4-cylinder pre-Tacoma 4WD Toyota truck and would have had no problem towing any of these. It pulled more. The max rating of the 150 trailer is under 2000 lbs, including itself (the trailer GVWR). It's been my experience that the larger the trailer, the easier it is to back.

The dealer sets the selling price and it's negotiable. Others may disagree, but I haven't seen any great deals at boat shows. What I often do see are less well-equipped boats to be able to show a lower price.

You don't have the bow cushion and bow rail. Those are very nice for a family while cruising slowly or anchored, but not needed, and really not wanted for a coupla guys fishing.

You also don't have the four-stroke EFI engine. It's expensive, but worth it in our opinion. It's much quieter, especially at idle and slow cruise, and it gets better fuel mileage. It's no hassle. No manual choke, no fast idle, no stalling when cold. Just turn the key and go like in a car. No two-stoke oil to carry and add, just an oil change every so often like a car. Easiest oil change I've ever done on any vehicle.

I replaced the center cupholder on our 150 Sport with a Ritchie F50 compass, and will be putting a Garmin 178C color GPS/sounder on this spring. I also put a fixed mount VHF on ours, but if you aren't out more than 5 miles, you can get by with a handheld.

We also have a Porta-Potti, and plan to hang one of those longer shower curtains for standalone bathtubs from a bungi cord stretched between the bimini frames.

Here are 3 pages of pictures of our 150 Sport:

http://www.engr.udayton.edu/staff/lriggins/Whaler

posted 01-21-2004 03:35 PM ET (US)            

If your Tacoma is the V-6 and is an automatic you should have a tow capacity of 5000lbs, which will not only handle the models you mention but also the 170 Montauk and 190 Nantucket. From a towing standpoint, you have lots of models to choose from. Best of luck with whichever Whaler you choose.

Also, if you pick up a Porta-Potti, a portable rain poncho is also good to have, especially helpful when you are fishing in a fleet of boats and you need a little privacy.

: )

posted 01-21-2004 03:39 PM ET (US)            

Go with the 150 if buying new, the 15' Sport if buying the older models.

1. You won't immediately get 2-foot-itis.
2. Based on the choices you have given us, the 15 foot model is the best suited for 4 adults aboard.
3. For short (and even extended) pleasure cruises, the smoother ride of the 15 (and even more so with the 150) will be MUCH more comfortable than the 11 and 13 foot models (new and old).

I assume you've got a 6 cylinder Tacoma...but even with a 4 cylinder, the 15 foot Boston Whaler should not be an issue at all. I tow my 15' Sport (lighter than the 150) with my 6 cylinder Explorer and can easily forget it is back there except for my "O/D off" indicator light in the dash. The 150 is a much heavier hull, but you should not run into any difficulties with your tow capacities.

I agree that the longer trailer of the 15 foot model will make it much easier to back and maneuver around the ramp...especially for someone who is doing this for the first time. It will be small enough to get the hang of it, and not too large to get you in trouble.

I also agree with the advice to "go into the show knowing the pricing" - you'll know right away if the dealer is really interested in giving you a deal, or is just interested in making a quick sale to boat-show shoppers.

Good luck, and have fun!

posted 01-21-2004 03:40 PM ET (US)            

AGM batteries are more rugged against shock and vibration, won't leak if tipped, don't outgas hydrogen, have lower internal resistance for better starting and charging, require no maintenance, and have a much lower self-discharge, holding their charge much longer without recharging.

Some dealers throw in a "safety package" but you're usually better off to pick out your own safety gear.

posted 01-21-2004 10:44 PM ET (US)            

you'd be all over each other in a smaller boat.

posted 01-22-2004 02:59 PM ET (US)            

Our dealer supplied batt, safety package, and xtra gas tank. My options were the bimini (Mills), bow cushions and comfort package. I had them install a swim platform/ladder(same as one on the 170), stern cleats and a GPS/chartplotter. I put a Richie compass left of helm, and am using a handheld VHF for the time being. I plan on putting load guides on the trailer shortly, and will likely upgrade the tail lights with an LED style.

posted 01-23-2004 10:05 AM ET (US)            

You'll have to ask Whaler, "why the BigFoot?" I have to believe they tested the boats both ways, and found some compelling reason to go the way they did.

I've heard it said that swinging a slower turning, larger diameter prop, through lower (higher numerically) gearing works better with the four-stroke torque curve. I don't know. I'm sure they do.

All I know is that the boat performs very nicely the way Whaler set it up.

posted 01-31-2004 09:32 PM ET (US)            

Moe, Nice pictures, specially the BIG YAMAHA BANNER while all boats there do seem to have Mercs on the Transoms.

By the way, looking at the text on the ladies T-shirt raises my question what was your first love, the Lady or the Boat?

VBR,

posted 01-31-2004 10:36 PM ET (US)            

Our dealer is a Whaler-only dealer, and have had to take Mercs with the new boats, but they still sell Yamaha and Evinrude for repowers. Looks like they get more promotional material from Yamaha than the others.