1970 KATAMA 16 Restoration

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
cregan13
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2020 9:17 am

1970 KATAMA 16 Restoration

Postby cregan13 » Mon Jul 06, 2020 9:52 am

I am new to the forum and new to Boston Whalers, though not new to boating. Since my 13-year-old son's month-long overnight camp was cancelled, we decided to take the camp money and buy an old Whaler for him to work on as a summer project. We located this 1970 17' hull in Maryland and, seeing it already had a 2014 Suzuki, we jumped in the car and brought it back here to Wilmington, NC. I really like the Katama seating option, and we found this Katama console in Portsmouth, VA, which we stopped and picked up on the way back from Maryland. After realizing that the hull is certainly in good enough shape to run around in and have fun before starting the restoration, we decided to leave it as is for most of July and maybe some of August and just enjoy it while the summer weather is still here. It kinda defeats the purpose of a summer project, but we have had a ton of fun on it already, and it would seem a shame to miss a season on it. So, while we will likely start work on the boat itself late this summer, we are going to go ahead on get started on the Katama console now.

I am soliciting advice, warnings, and input on the project. Feel free to chime in with ideas or to tell us what we are doing wrong.

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Last edited by cregan13 on Mon Jul 06, 2020 9:56 am, edited 1 time in total.

cregan13
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2020 9:17 am

Re: 1970 KATAMA 16 Restoration

Postby cregan13 » Mon Jul 06, 2020 9:54 am

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biggiefl
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Location: south Tampa Bay area
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Re: 1970 KATAMA 16 Restoration

Postby biggiefl » Mon Jul 06, 2020 11:02 am

Being that is an OEM console and RPS installed already, I would not personally install a Katama console as the driving position is much lower. It is not going to add any value and most likely will detract on resale. Mount a cooler in front and enjoy. As far as the rest goes, we need more info. as the definition of restoration varies greatly. PS...post a pic of the engine and mounting height. Suzukis like to be mounted high on the transom.
On my 24th Whaler. Currently in the stable: 86 18' Outrage, 81 13' Sport(original owner), 87 11' Sport, 69 Squall(for sale cheap).

MarkCz
Posts: 131
Joined: Sat Jan 27, 2018 3:44 pm

Re: 1970 KATAMA 16 Restoration

Postby MarkCz » Mon Jul 06, 2020 12:33 pm

Does that trailer have roller bunks on it. It's hard to tell but looks like it does. If it does I would remove them and change them to a carpeted bunks. It's not recommended to store a whaler on a roller trailer. Enjoy the boat.

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Phil T
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Location: Was Maine. Temporarily Kentucky

Re: 1970 KATAMA 16 Restoration

Postby Phil T » Mon Jul 06, 2020 1:06 pm

Whoever installed the Montauk console did you a favor.

Rehab/restore the Katama console and sell it. There is a small project.
1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
Member since 2003

cregan13
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2020 9:17 am

Re: 1970 KATAMA 16 Restoration

Postby cregan13 » Mon Jul 06, 2020 1:18 pm

I have hemmed and hawed about the console, mostly because the existing console is better suited for driving while standing up, which is what I prefer. Certainly easier to move around the boat with the center console as well. However, I really like the Katama console look and think there could be some neat modifications/upgrades to it. It appears to have better, more comfortable seating as well. I am not really worried about resale value as this is probably something we will hold onto for a very long time. We will make a decision on that over the next month and, if we keep it as is, restore and resell the Katama console.

I will get a picture of the engine mounting. It is pretty high on the transom.

The trailer does have rollers. The trailer is the roughest part of that whole setup, I am plan to just replace it rather than put any money into it.

hermit
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Joined: Wed Jul 24, 2019 12:24 pm

Re: 1970 KATAMA 16 Restoration

Postby hermit » Wed Jul 29, 2020 7:00 pm

I have a 1972 Katama I bought last year. I wish the Montauk console had come in my boat instead of the factory Katama console. My experience with the seats on front of the Katama console are that they are much too low for older folks to use. I also find the Katama seat base also make the narrow 11-inch-wide footpath worse.

If you decide to use the Katama console, consider that the helm seat is very different than what you have. I find the Katama helm seating provisions to also be inferior to, and more space-consuming than, the one [i.e., the reversible pilot seat, the usual MONTAUK seat arrangement] in your images.

cregan13
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Re: 1970 KATAMA 16 Restoration

Postby cregan13 » Sun May 30, 2021 5:38 pm

I am reviving this old thread to post the finished product. I decided to just go resto-mod and make the boat that best fit for what we wanted. Pretty happy with the results so far. Only things left to do are mount the GPS and get a new vinyl on the RPS and cushions for the bow and front bench. Thanks for everyone's input.

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Last edited by cregan13 on Sun May 30, 2021 5:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.

cregan13
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Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2020 9:17 am

Re: 1970 KATAMA 16 Restoration

Postby cregan13 » Sun May 30, 2021 5:38 pm

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cregan13
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Re: 1970 KATAMA 16 Restoration

Postby cregan13 » Sun May 30, 2021 9:47 pm

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