CONTINUOUSWAVE

Thanks up front for your opinions. I plan to buy a Boston Whaler 13-foot boat for my 11-year-old and 12-year-old children. [A Boston Whaler 13-footer] was my first boat, and I want to keep the tradition. Actually, I want a SUPER SPORT 15 but they are very very hard to come by.

What hull years are better than others [in regard to] water intrusion and handling? Explain why.

Can you still pull a tube with a 25-HP engine?

What difference in top end occurs if using 40-HP instead of 25-HP?

I am looking at a 1985 hull with a 1985 Evinrude 25-HP engine. The NADA has average retail at $2,000 but everything I am seeing is around $4,000. A few of my friends picked up older 1970's for [$100]. I want to [make a decision] in the next week, but I don’t want to overpay.

What is the fair market value [for a c.1985 Boston Whaler 13-foot boat with a c.1985 Evinrude 25-HP engine}?

Thanks for your insight; my kids appreciate it

I am not aware of any particular variation in the hulls of Boston Whaler boats by year of manufacturing in regard to the possibility they hull could have greater likelihood of ingress of water into the foam-filled double bottom area. Nor do I know of any particular variation in the handling characteristics by year of production, other than the most obvious changes to the hull design which occurred in 1971. For information about the 13-foot boat you should read my article in the REFERENCE section. See

The 13 foot Hull
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/13/

All Boston Whaler boat hulls are at some risk for ingress of water into their foam interior, but typically most well-kept and well-cared-for boats have little if any water retained in their hulls. Water can only get into the inner double bottom area if there is some neglected damage to the gel coat of the hull or cockpit liner. There may be some water in all Boston Whaler inner hull areas that was just a product of the curing of the foam. See the FAQ for more about this and other frequently asked questions:

Frequently Asked Questions
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/FAQ/

The top speed of any planing hull boat is proportional to the horsepower-to-weight ratio to the 0.5 exponent. If a boat had 25-HP and the power were increased to 40-HP, and if the weight remained constant, then the top speed would increase by a ratio of [ (40/25)^0.5] or 1.26-times. For example, if the boat could reach 25-MPH with the 25-HP engine, then with a 40-HP engine one would expect to reach about 31.6-MPH. Generally a more powerful engine will have more weight, so the actual increase will be less and will depend on the weight increase.

In a small and relatively light boat like a Boston Whaler 13-footer the top speed will be very much influenced by the weight of the crew and other gear aboard the boat. Generally 12-year-olds do not weigh too much, and two of them should not detract from the speed potential very much.

I suspect you could sell nice 13-foot Boston Whaler boats with 25-HP Evinrude engines in good condition and on trailers all day long if you offered them at $2,000. So, yes, I think that NADA value is probably a little low. I don't think you can have the same sales volume if you ask $4,000. The value of a used Boston Whaler is discussed in another article I wrote. See

Buying Classic Boston Whalers
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/buying.html

As I explain, many factors affect the fair market price. My general observation is that used a Boston Whaler boat of a desirable model which is in excellent condition, has a good used outboard engine, is on a roadworthy trailer, and is fairly priced will sell quite easily, often to the first real buyer who appreciates Boston Whaler boats that comes to see the boat. That means if you see a good deal advertised, better get there in a hurry.