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  Just bought a 13'GLS- any info or thoughts?

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Author Topic:   Just bought a 13'GLS- any info or thoughts?

boatreau posted 05-17-2005 05:00 PM ET (US)
I just bought my first Boston Whaler, a 1994 13'GLS-2, and am in love! My husband has a 27' cabin cruiser so the Whaler is all mine. I chose this model because it has two full bench seats, a stainless steel steering wheel, and the proportions seem just right. This boat has a 40hp Honda 4-stroke, was used on an island off the Georgia coast and is now going to reside on a freshwater lake. I don't hear much about this model, any pluses or minuses. So far I have had only pleasure tooling around the lake with my dog, and, occasionally the husband. He also really likes it and wonders why we waited so long to try one! Does anyone have any advice or thougts about this model?
jstachowiak posted 05-17-2005 09:10 PM ET (US)
I had a 15 GLS 1992 with a 40 HP johnson for several years and loved it. The 13 GLS with a 40 HP is like a Miata sportscar. You'll love it. Have fun.
I hung some old (nylon) fish net under the front seat for stowing life jackets and rain gear and whatever. Used bungee cords and some stainless steel hooks using the existing screws that held the seats to the hull. Gives you some extra storage.
jimmy c posted 05-18-2005 11:07 PM ET (US)
Concrats. on your purchase of the 13GLS ...you will love it.
we also have a 1994 13 GLS with 40 hp Johnson.
After having had many 13 SuperSports ( woodies) this is one nice boat.
real nice console well rounded, nice height, nice seating position,ampel back rest.Usable rear floor space.Removeable front seat for more fish fighting room.
many many improvements over the older models.
These are one nice boat.
good luck with yours.
boatreau posted 05-19-2005 05:37 PM ET (US)
Thanks, both of you, for your comments. We had also looked at an '86 Supersport and liked the charm of the boat, but the GLS-2 was exactly what I was looking for. And you're right--after being in a 27' cruiser, this boat is like driving a Miata! Also, I was reading the thread about the Doel Fin, because I have trouble planing out at low speeds. It seems that I have to go full out and then back down to plane out, but I am still going faster than I want to. Part of it may be inexperience with driving a boat, but the Doel Fin may help. And lastly, do you know if the GLS replaced the Sport in the '90's, or were they both available? Do you know where I can get information about the history, other than this website? Thanks!
jimmy c posted 05-23-2005 08:22 AM ET (US)
The sport was produced thru 1993
The super sport was produced thru 1994
It seams the GLS replaced both of them 1994-2000
The doel fin or any of the other brands will do wonders.
I personally have the STING RAY brand fins and like them better because they have more surface area.
My GLS has the battery ,fuel tank under the seat (fuel tank goes under the seat only from the front) this frees up all the floor space in the stern.(I have no VRO oil tank,don,t trust them)I run most of the time with the front seat out so I have a completely un cluttered floor.
boatreau posted 05-23-2005 06:44 PM ET (US)
Thanks!
fishgutz posted 05-24-2005 08:58 PM ET (US)
Just intalled and used a TIGERSHARK VG hydrofoil on my Dauntless 14 with a 75 Merc. The D14 is a heavy 1000 lb. boat, plus 2 batteries, 25 gal. of fuel and a 305 lb. motor. The boat used to point to the sky taking off with the motor trimmed all the way in. Now not only does it instantly pop up on plane but I don't even have to trim it in much anymore. Very little bow rise at all. Now my wife can sit next to me at the center console instead of in front of it.
Do a search and find out a little about "vortex generators". Tigershark uses them. I cannot believe how much better my boat runs now.
You can get a Tigershark VG right from the company on line.
http://www.tigersharkvg.com/. I think I paid less than $40 including shipping. I'd say it took me less than 5 minutes to install.
I am satified way beyond my expectations.
boatreau posted 05-30-2005 07:29 PM ET (US)
Thanks, Fishgutz--I've already purchased a Doel Fin, but haven't installed it yet. Well, actually, I'm waiting for the husband to install it! I noticed that there were other brands of hydrofoils, but I went for the least expensive option and I hope I don't regret it. And I'm also looking forward to having my spouse able to sit next to me instead of on the bow, and having other people on the front seat. I hope I'm not asking too much!

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Author	Topic: Just bought a 13'GLS- any info or thoughts?
boatreau	posted 05-17-2005 05:00 PM ET (US) I just bought my first Boston Whaler, a 1994 13'GLS-2, and am in love! My husband has a 27' cabin cruiser so the Whaler is all mine. I chose this model because it has two full bench seats, a stainless steel steering wheel, and the proportions seem just right. This boat has a 40hp Honda 4-stroke, was used on an island off the Georgia coast and is now going to reside on a freshwater lake. I don't hear much about this model, any pluses or minuses. So far I have had only pleasure tooling around the lake with my dog, and, occasionally the husband. He also really likes it and wonders why we waited so long to try one! Does anyone have any advice or thougts about this model?
jstachowiak	posted 05-17-2005 09:10 PM ET (US) I had a 15 GLS 1992 with a 40 HP johnson for several years and loved it. The 13 GLS with a 40 HP is like a Miata sportscar. You'll love it. Have fun. I hung some old (nylon) fish net under the front seat for stowing life jackets and rain gear and whatever. Used bungee cords and some stainless steel hooks using the existing screws that held the seats to the hull. Gives you some extra storage.
jimmy c	posted 05-18-2005 11:07 PM ET (US) Concrats. on your purchase of the 13GLS ...you will love it. we also have a 1994 13 GLS with 40 hp Johnson. After having had many 13 SuperSports ( woodies) this is one nice boat. real nice console well rounded, nice height, nice seating position,ampel back rest.Usable rear floor space.Removeable front seat for more fish fighting room. many many improvements over the older models. These are one nice boat. good luck with yours.
boatreau	posted 05-19-2005 05:37 PM ET (US) Thanks, both of you, for your comments. We had also looked at an '86 Supersport and liked the charm of the boat, but the GLS-2 was exactly what I was looking for. And you're right--after being in a 27' cruiser, this boat is like driving a Miata! Also, I was reading the thread about the Doel Fin, because I have trouble planing out at low speeds. It seems that I have to go full out and then back down to plane out, but I am still going faster than I want to. Part of it may be inexperience with driving a boat, but the Doel Fin may help. And lastly, do you know if the GLS replaced the Sport in the '90's, or were they both available? Do you know where I can get information about the history, other than this website? Thanks!
jimmy c	posted 05-23-2005 08:22 AM ET (US) The sport was produced thru 1993 The super sport was produced thru 1994 It seams the GLS replaced both of them 1994-2000 The doel fin or any of the other brands will do wonders. I personally have the STING RAY brand fins and like them better because they have more surface area. My GLS has the battery ,fuel tank under the seat (fuel tank goes under the seat only from the front) this frees up all the floor space in the stern.(I have no VRO oil tank,don,t trust them)I run most of the time with the front seat out so I have a completely un cluttered floor.
boatreau	posted 05-23-2005 06:44 PM ET (US) Thanks!
fishgutz	posted 05-24-2005 08:58 PM ET (US) Just intalled and used a TIGERSHARK VG hydrofoil on my Dauntless 14 with a 75 Merc. The D14 is a heavy 1000 lb. boat, plus 2 batteries, 25 gal. of fuel and a 305 lb. motor. The boat used to point to the sky taking off with the motor trimmed all the way in. Now not only does it instantly pop up on plane but I don't even have to trim it in much anymore. Very little bow rise at all. Now my wife can sit next to me at the center console instead of in front of it. Do a search and find out a little about "vortex generators". Tigershark uses them. I cannot believe how much better my boat runs now. You can get a Tigershark VG right from the company on line. http://www.tigersharkvg.com/. I think I paid less than $40 including shipping. I'd say it took me less than 5 minutes to install. I am satified way beyond my expectations.
boatreau	posted 05-30-2005 07:29 PM ET (US) Thanks, Fishgutz--I've already purchased a Doel Fin, but haven't installed it yet. Well, actually, I'm waiting for the husband to install it! I noticed that there were other brands of hydrofoils, but I went for the least expensive option and I hope I don't regret it. And I'm also looking forward to having my spouse able to sit next to me instead of on the bow, and having other people on the front seat. I hope I'm not asking too much!