CONTINUOUSWAVE

Q1: for general used for angling and just cruising on rivers, and not particularly concerned with maximum speed, what outboard engine with tiller steering is recommended for a c.1986 SUPER 13 just to get it out on the water prior more restoration work?

BACKSTORY
I recently acquired a c.1986 SUPER SPORT 13. I am not only new to Boston Whaler boats, but new to boating as well. This 13-footer looks like it was sitting uncovered for perhaps seven years. I started cleaning out the boat, but wasps became aggressive toward me.

Once I get more into the boat, I expect to have more questions. For example, the boat has a Bimini top but one of the connectors has gone missing.

The wood seats and [helm] panel are in bad shape. I'll take a closer look this weekend. The engine on the boat very likely won't start and run. I was thinking of starting out with a tiller outboard motor just to be able to get out on the water (mainly to fish and just stroll on the river) before the year is out. Eventually I would love to get this somewhat restored to the original configuration with steering wheel, remote shift and throttle, fuel tank, and the original seating configuration, and then use it as a father-son(s) project.

I am very glad I found this website. I am not only new to Boston Whalers but new to boating as well. Your input will be greatly appreciated. I look forward to learning more from the group.

According to the information about the 13-foot hull in the REFERENCE section of the website at

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

the maximum recommended engine horsepower for use with tiller steering is 20-HP.

On that basis any 20-HP or less power, tiller-steered engine with a 20-inch shaft, also referred to as a "long shaft" engine, will be suitable. You don't need to get electric start and power trim and tilt for a 20-HP engine, unless you want to splurge. But electric start and power trim and tilt means you will need a large 12-Volt storage battery on the boat and some basic electrical system, whereas with a pull-start engine and no power trim, you will just need a fuel tank, a strong arm to pull start, and a fixed trim setting. The least expensive engine will probably be an older two-stroke-power-cycle engine, perhaps an old Evinrude or Johnson.

Since you apparently plan this engine to be only temporary before you restore the remote steering, remote engine throttle and shift controls, and remote electrical control for starting and trim, I would keep the temporary set up as simple as possible. You will also save money by not investing more into the temporary engine and its rigging.

When you get further into the restoration you will probably want to get a more modern engine with up to 40-HP. As for sharing the boat with your son or sons, keeping the boat very simple and using pull start will be a good learning experience for them.

By the way, old two-stroke-engines that are in proper tune and with proper operating procedures can easily start on the first pull. Getting an older engine back into that shape will also be a good learning experience. If your son is not strong enough to pull start a small outboard, then he is probably not old enough to be out in the boat by himself.

Also, if the hull weight is in the expected normal range, a 20-HP engine should get the boat on plane and be a very fun ride. The minimum recommended engine horsepower for a 13-footer is 9-HP.

Source: https://continuouswave.com/whaler/refer ... #hulls9-17

thanks for all the info and the link jimh, I appreciate it! So my sons are young men, 26 and 24, so they are strong enough to pull start, in fact they will be the "Chief Oar Engineers" if need be, --I laugh aloud--. Thanks again!

Regarding rowing a 13-footer: some of the older hulls had oarlocks and could be rowed from the forward thwart seat. But a 13-footer is not a particularly great rowing boat. It is much more fun with a 9-HP or larger engine.