Identify c.1981 17-foot Model

[Little Mule]

Q1: what was the model designation for the c.1971 17-footer seen below in Figure 1 and 2?

Q2: is the boat seen in Figure 1 and 2 in its original configuration?

Fig. 1. A 17-foot hull with an unusual console, and a bench thwart seat to which two plastic bucket seats have been attached.

whaler bucket seats.jpg (14.83 KiB) Viewed 714 times

Fig. 2. Another view of 17-footer with bucket seats and side console.

montauk.jpg (17.72 KiB) Viewed 688 times

Q3: would a MONTAUK 17 have two bucket seats?

Q4: would a MONTAUK 17 have a side console?

BACKSTORY (long)
My wife and I have recently moved to Cape Cod. I have found that getting a rack space or a dock space is next to impossible here, with some waitlists estimated at 20 years. I have found that some marinas that broker boats for owners have a policy that if you buy the boat from them they will sell it with a rack or dock space included.

I have found a 1981 [17-footer that is being sold as a] "Montauk" that I can buy, and that I can also lease a rack space with. I am only buying this boat so I can later use the rack space for a OUTRAGE 18, and I am currently looking for the right one.

The [boat for sale being sold as a] "Montauk" is super clean, was used only in fresh water, and has no bottom paint. The engine is Johnson V4 110-HP with variable ratio oiling. The engine runs [well]. Nice aluminum trailer. The boat also has an upgraded 25 gallon fuel tank by current owner.

ASIDE
I am new to this forum and to Boston Whalers. [ContinuousWave is a] great website for Whaler users and fans. Thanks for keeping it going.

[Little Mule]

The boat also has an upgraded 25 gallon fuel tank by current owner. Thanks for taking a look. Great website for Whaler users and fans. Thanks for keeping it going!

[jimh]

Q1: what was the model designation for the 17-footer seen below in Figure 1 and 2?

The boat was probably a SPORT 17. It certainly was not a MONTAUK 17. The side console with windshield is unusual, but may have been an original element. The extension of the side console to Port is unusual.

Q2: is the boat seen in Figure 1 and 2 in its original configuration?

The boat is likely not entirely original. The mounting of bucket seats to the thwart bench seat was most likely not original. Also the side console with small windshield may be an original Boston Whaler part, but the extension to Port does not seem an original element.

If you are on Cape Cod, the dealer selling this boat may have been NAUSET Marine. They may know more about the history of this boat. They are an original Boston Whaler dealer from the company's earliest days. If NAUSET Marine was the original selling dealer of this boat, it is possible they were ordering boats from Boston Whaler in a non-standard configuration, or ordering a boat as a SPORT 17 and then modifying it.

It is also possible a previous owner bought a SPORT 17 and modified it himself.

Q3: would a MONTAUK 17 have two bucket seats?

A MONTAUK 17 could have two bucket seats, but they would NEVER be mounted to a wooden thwart seat. They would be mounted on pedestal bases fastened behind a CENTER CONSOLE. This was a common element of a MONTAUK 17 if the optional Reversible Pilot Seat was not selected.

Q4: would a MONTAUK 17 have a side console?

No. The essential element of a MONTAUK was a center console and no wooden thwart seats. On those two criteria alone, the boat seen in Figures 1 and 2 is not a "Montauk."

There is a common misuse of the model designator "Montauk" by people not particularly familiar with Boston Whaler boats to attach that term to any 17-foot classic era hull no matter what the interior configuration might be.

I am new to this forum and to Boston Whalers.

You may not be familiar with content of the continuousWave website other than this forum.

If you read the REFERENCE SECTION article on the 16/17 hull, you will discover that there were many models produced with that same hull, and only the center console versions without any wooden thwart seats were called a "Montauk".

The REFERENCE Section contains a great deal of long form articles what are well-researched and cover many topics. See

https://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/

For the section on the 16/17 hull see

16/17-foot Hull
https://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/16-17/

For the section on the OUTRAGE 18 see

OUTRAGE 18
https://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/18Outrage/

For comprehensive specifications for all models, see

Dimension and Production Information
https://continuouswave.com/whaler/refer ... tions.html

For many photographs of classic era Boston Whaler boats see the CETACEA collection:

CETACEA
https://continuouswave.com/whaler/cetacea/

There are also thousands of prior discussions from an earlier version of the forum that are archived and can be easily search for particular words and phrases. See

Old Forum Archive
https://continuouswave.com/whaler/oldForum/

[jimh]

I have found that getting a rack space or a dock space is next to impossible here, with some waitlists estimated at 20 years. I have found that some marinas that broker boats for owners have a policy that if you buy the boat from them they will sell it with a rack or dock space included.

That seems to be a common situation in areas where there are very limited opportunities for on-water dockage or racking. It seems to be a common practice for dealers selling boats, as without an on-water mooring or dock or rack storage, they could not sell anything other than trailerable boats.

[jimh]

Neither Figure 1 or Figure 2 show the bow of the boat. The bow configuration is an important element of the 16/17 foot hull. Hulls produced prior to 1976 were designated as "16" models. In c.1976 the original 16-foot hull was redesigned so the bow shape incorporated what has come to be known as "the smirk."

Read the long article on the 16-17 foot hull to discover all the details of the smirk bow design and other changes for the models designated as "17" hulls.

A c.1981 "17" would certainly have the smirk bow.


Also, the 110-HP engine seen in Figure 2 will likely exceed the maximum horsepower rating on the boats USCG required safety information placard which declares a 100-HP limit.

[Little Mule]

Fig. 3. View of Bow of 17-footer showing Smirk hull, trees, neighbors house, trailer.

whaler nose.jpg (18.31 KiB) Viewed 663 times

[Little Mule]

Thanks for the replies [above].

Q6: is this [boat that is the topic of this discussion] a 17-foot Montauk.

Q7: Is this [boat that is the topic of this discussion] a SUPER SPORT?

Q8: Is the SPORT a different ride than the MONTAUK?

Q9: would knowing the serial number help [to identify the particular model the boat was originally made as}?


ASIDE: I plan to use the boat in Cape Code on nice days.

[Little Mule]

I just re-read the [something unclear]. It now sounds like[to m] the MONTAUK[17] and the SUPER SPORT 17 are same hull.

[jimh]

Q6: is this [boat that is the topic of this discussion] a 17-foot Montauk?

Q7: Is this [boat that is the topic of this discussion] a SUPER SPORT?

For answers to Q6 and Q7, please see my replies to Q1, 2, 3 and 4.

Q8: Is the SPORT a different ride than the MONTAUK?

The perceived "ride" is likely to be much better on a MONTAUK 17 than on a SPORT because the pilot of the MONTAUK will most likely be standing and not sitting, especially if the the MONTAUK has the prized reversible pilot seat, while the pilot of the SPORT will be sitting on a wooden bench seat and rather low in the cockpit. Generally just about every SPORT ever made has had modifications made to the seating because no adult over 30-years old can sit on a bench seat low in the cockpit for more than an hour.

Q9: would knowing the serial number help [to identify the particular model the boat was originally made as}?

No.

Please read the FAQ at

Q2: Where is the Hull Identification Number?
https://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/FAQ/#Q2

With a careful reading of the FAQ at Q2 you will learn that there is NOTHING encoded in either the hull stencil number or in the federal hull identification number that identifies a particular model family for a particular hull.

If you read all the material I have provided in linked resources you will gain a better understanding about classic Boston Whaler boats that use the 16/17 foot hull.