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Author Topic:   Which Whaler is Best

twernst10 posted 04-10-2007 10:56 AM ET (US)
I am trying to decide between three post-classic whalers. I am considering a 13/130Sport, a 14 Dauntless (1999, model year most likely) and a 15 Dauntless. I am pretty familliar with the general characteristics of all three Whalers. I grew up learning on a mid-80's 13 and a 1968 17'. I don't need nor have the space for a 17' Whaler.
I am concerned with the handling qualities and drawbacks of all three boats.
I am also concerned with the "fun" factor, or performance of these boats (I used to kneeboard and wakeboard).
Lastly I am also concerned with the ability to fish off any of these boats.
Mostly I will be using the boat in the Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay, near D.C. or down by Virginia Beach / Tidewater area. It will be me alone most of the time, with my fiancee and a few friends ocassionaly. No more than five people on the boat max, and during that time either cruising a harbor or heading to a shore and dropping some off on the beach while others either fish or "board".
Tim
HuronBob posted 04-10-2007 11:54 AM ET (US)
Tim, IMHO, if you're considering having five people on the boat, the 130 Sport (with the typical 40 hp motor) is going to be too small for you.
I have a 130 sport (40 hp), with 5 people it is difficult to get it up on plane, is a wet ride, and it does not handle well. That said I LOVE it with two or three people on board.
Fishing from the 130 Sport is great for me, especially with just two people in the boat. I do my boating on rivers and inland lakes.
I can't speak to the 14' or 15'Dautless, but I'm sure you'll get some opinions.
Bob
twernst10 posted 04-10-2007 12:03 PM ET (US)
Bob,
If I had 5 onboard it would most likely be cruising the harbors of Norfolk or DC / Anapolis. I understand what you mean, I don't want it to be wet. Is the 130 Sport drier than the classic 13? Thanks for responding.
Tim
Sal A posted 04-10-2007 12:05 PM ET (US)
I was looking for an 11' or 13' used, and have found out that you start out looking for something specific, but end up buying the best option that is available.
I ended up going with a leftover 110 tender as that was my best option. Have you considered looking at this boat? :
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/013698.html
It is a 150 Sport that might fit your bill nicely, and is pretty darn well maintained.
HuronBob posted 04-10-2007 08:41 PM ET (US)
Tim, I've not ridden in a classic 13, I'm afraid I can't answer that.
But, I would guess that 5 adults in any 13 foot whaler is a bit of a reach, perhaps someone with a classic can confirm this.
ryland posted 04-10-2007 11:17 PM ET (US)
I have a 150 Sport and I would bet you would be very happy with this boat. Planes with 6 people on board, is plenty fast, lots of room to fish comfortably, affordable (15-17K brand new),dry ride and handles well. This boat comes with a very high fun factor as well. It is easily trailered, I can kneeboard or pull a tube behind it however it is not good for pulling a skier, but I bet a wakeboard would work fine. I cannot find a drawback to this boat, but if I find one I will let you know.
twernst10 posted 04-12-2007 09:36 AM ET (US)
Sal A, HuronBob and ryland,
Thanks for the responses, I was away from the office/computer yesterday. It was the one year anniversery of my Mother's passing. All of your comments are insightful. I enjoyed the center console design of the '68 17' we had growing up. I have felt more comfortable navigating from the centerline of the boat. Just an odd quirk of mine. I was in a dealer in VA Beach looking at new 150 Sports in 2004 and liked the improvements made to both it and the 130. I think the higher freeboard would help keep it dry. This is a major concern b/c my fiancee has not boated as extensivly as I have, I actually doubt she has been on a small or any boat more than ten times in her 27 years of life. I don't and can't really spend the 15-17K for a new 150 Sport. I will be starting a family in the next couple of years and just bought our first home, and am getting married in the fall with the two of us covering most of the cost of the wedding, etc. I guess I need to find a way to get out on the 130, 150 and Dauntless 15 to really make a good judgement. Sal A exit in Jersey are you from? My fiancee is near exit 10 NJ Tpk. She is from N. Plainfield. By the way that 150 you linked to is verrrry niiiice. ;)
Tim
Sal A posted 04-12-2007 09:45 AM ET (US)
Hey Tim,
I live in Chatham, about 15 miles due west of Manhattan as the crow flies. We play at the Jersey Shore though; exit 98 on the GSP. :)
Good luck with your search.
Fountain00 posted 04-16-2007 05:25 PM ET (US)

My father has the 13 SS (old style). It's great for 2 people 3 maximum in my humble opinion. I own a 15 Dauntless with the stern seat and 4 people seems to be the max, again IMHO. I love the set up of the boat, 15D, itself, but mine tends to porpoise a bit. I would think that a 15 of any whaler model would be better especially if you had a family coming in the not so distant future. Don't forget the gear you would be bringing along also.
Boots posted 04-20-2007 08:27 AM ET (US)
17'SSL,80's model.Most fun,no wood,tons of storage.

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Author	Topic: Which Whaler is Best
twernst10	posted 04-10-2007 10:56 AM ET (US) I am trying to decide between three post-classic whalers. I am considering a 13/130Sport, a 14 Dauntless (1999, model year most likely) and a 15 Dauntless. I am pretty familliar with the general characteristics of all three Whalers. I grew up learning on a mid-80's 13 and a 1968 17'. I don't need nor have the space for a 17' Whaler. I am concerned with the handling qualities and drawbacks of all three boats. I am also concerned with the "fun" factor, or performance of these boats (I used to kneeboard and wakeboard). Lastly I am also concerned with the ability to fish off any of these boats. Mostly I will be using the boat in the Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay, near D.C. or down by Virginia Beach / Tidewater area. It will be me alone most of the time, with my fiancee and a few friends ocassionaly. No more than five people on the boat max, and during that time either cruising a harbor or heading to a shore and dropping some off on the beach while others either fish or "board". Tim
HuronBob	posted 04-10-2007 11:54 AM ET (US) Tim, IMHO, if you're considering having five people on the boat, the 130 Sport (with the typical 40 hp motor) is going to be too small for you. I have a 130 sport (40 hp), with 5 people it is difficult to get it up on plane, is a wet ride, and it does not handle well. That said I LOVE it with two or three people on board. Fishing from the 130 Sport is great for me, especially with just two people in the boat. I do my boating on rivers and inland lakes. I can't speak to the 14' or 15'Dautless, but I'm sure you'll get some opinions. Bob
twernst10	posted 04-10-2007 12:03 PM ET (US) Bob, If I had 5 onboard it would most likely be cruising the harbors of Norfolk or DC / Anapolis. I understand what you mean, I don't want it to be wet. Is the 130 Sport drier than the classic 13? Thanks for responding. Tim
Sal A	posted 04-10-2007 12:05 PM ET (US) I was looking for an 11' or 13' used, and have found out that you start out looking for something specific, but end up buying the best option that is available. I ended up going with a leftover 110 tender as that was my best option. Have you considered looking at this boat? : http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/013698.html It is a 150 Sport that might fit your bill nicely, and is pretty darn well maintained.
HuronBob	posted 04-10-2007 08:41 PM ET (US) Tim, I've not ridden in a classic 13, I'm afraid I can't answer that. But, I would guess that 5 adults in any 13 foot whaler is a bit of a reach, perhaps someone with a classic can confirm this.
ryland	posted 04-10-2007 11:17 PM ET (US) I have a 150 Sport and I would bet you would be very happy with this boat. Planes with 6 people on board, is plenty fast, lots of room to fish comfortably, affordable (15-17K brand new),dry ride and handles well. This boat comes with a very high fun factor as well. It is easily trailered, I can kneeboard or pull a tube behind it however it is not good for pulling a skier, but I bet a wakeboard would work fine. I cannot find a drawback to this boat, but if I find one I will let you know.
twernst10	posted 04-12-2007 09:36 AM ET (US) Sal A, HuronBob and ryland, Thanks for the responses, I was away from the office/computer yesterday. It was the one year anniversery of my Mother's passing. All of your comments are insightful. I enjoyed the center console design of the '68 17' we had growing up. I have felt more comfortable navigating from the centerline of the boat. Just an odd quirk of mine. I was in a dealer in VA Beach looking at new 150 Sports in 2004 and liked the improvements made to both it and the 130. I think the higher freeboard would help keep it dry. This is a major concern b/c my fiancee has not boated as extensivly as I have, I actually doubt she has been on a small or any boat more than ten times in her 27 years of life. I don't and can't really spend the 15-17K for a new 150 Sport. I will be starting a family in the next couple of years and just bought our first home, and am getting married in the fall with the two of us covering most of the cost of the wedding, etc. I guess I need to find a way to get out on the 130, 150 and Dauntless 15 to really make a good judgement. Sal A exit in Jersey are you from? My fiancee is near exit 10 NJ Tpk. She is from N. Plainfield. By the way that 150 you linked to is verrrry niiiice. ;) Tim
Sal A	posted 04-12-2007 09:45 AM ET (US) Hey Tim, I live in Chatham, about 15 miles due west of Manhattan as the crow flies. We play at the Jersey Shore though; exit 98 on the GSP. :) Good luck with your search.
Fountain00	posted 04-16-2007 05:25 PM ET (US) My father has the 13 SS (old style). It's great for 2 people 3 maximum in my humble opinion. I own a 15 Dauntless with the stern seat and 4 people seems to be the max, again IMHO. I love the set up of the boat, 15D, itself, but mine tends to porpoise a bit. I would think that a 15 of any whaler model would be better especially if you had a family coming in the not so distant future. Don't forget the gear you would be bringing along also.
Boots	posted 04-20-2007 08:27 AM ET (US) 17'SSL,80's model.Most fun,no wood,tons of storage.