CONTINUOUSWAVE

Q1: is a c.1973 17-footer a good family boat?

Q2: is a c.1973 17-footer a good boat for an adult and two or three 8-year-old and 10-year-old kids?


I may buy a 17-foot Boston Whaler as seen below in Figures 1 and 2. I am not sure of the actual model. This boat has an Evinrude E-TEC 90-HP engine. I am aware of the concerns regarding Evinrude engines

I would want to beautify the interior with a mahogany bench seat towards the stern and add cushions


Figure 1


Figure 2

That c.1973 17-footer would be a good boat for water skiing and tubing with kids. Use it in bays and lakes.

--Con

The 16/17-foot hull and an 90-HP E-TEC is a great set up.

The interior of this boat looks a bit odd. It is not in a condition that is a recognizable model.

The trailer looks short. Check the tires and the wheel bearings before towing it on the road.

Ask the seller for an engine history report from the E-TEC engine.

Since the boat was registered in Vermont, it was likely most used in freshwater.

The federal hull identification number will determine the model year and year of production.

The shape of the bow will also identify the production epoch.

The asking price will determine if the cost is equivalent to the value.

The boat shown in the photos used to be a Katama. Many parts of the interior are missing (windscreen, console seats, RPS seatback) and are very hard to source.

Any classic 17 model will be great for your family until the kids get to be teenagers. They will want you to get a boat of your own.

My humble opinion is if the price is at or slightly above the steal level, buy it. If not, look for a center console 17 foot boat. I'm only saying this because if you aren't in the 15-18 year old category of age you will be suffering from what's called "Whaler Butt" after a day on the water in that seating arrangement. The Sport and SuperSport versions are both good solid boats with a great pedigree but I believe they are most suited for a quick trip to shore from the 35' sailboat or being run as a skiing, fishing boat for teenage operators.

I don't think a 17-footer with a 90-HP engine is suitable for ten-year-olds to operate by themselves. A 13-footer with a pull-start 25-HP engine is a good boat for youngsters to operate by themselves or with an adult aboard to supervise. If they are strong enough to pull-start the engine then they are old enough to run the boat.

I agree with JimH. The learning curve of a 13-footer with a moderate engine choice is the way to go for independent operation by kids. Ten years old?, no way. 13- to 15-years-old, no problem. If adults are running the boat and or supervising the kids, why not.

My grandson drove my 210 Outrage for a number of years from 12 to 15-years-old, but always with me near the controls. He graduated to an 11 Tender that we refinished together and now that is his boat. He wants a bigger boat. I told him the Coast Guard has bigger boats he can operate for almost free.

Happy Holidays everyone at CW.