Classic Whalers, Repurposed

A conversation among Whalers
dburton
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Classic Whalers, Repurposed

Postby dburton » Sun Jun 12, 2016 5:06 pm

While surfing for Whaler stuff, I ran across "Classic Whalers, Repurposed," an article not necessary fascinating but it is interesting.

http://www.proboat.com/2012/07/classic-whalers-repurposed/

jimh
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Re: Classic Whalers, Repurposed

Postby jimh » Sun Jun 12, 2016 5:47 pm

I got a laugh from this article. It carries a warning about the accuracy of information provided by "fan sites" about Boston Whaler:

...Whaler “fan” sites—a generic term for websites created and managed by individuals with an often passionate interest in a given subject—have sprung up, offering online forums for the exchange of information, along with technical advice on repair procedures, some of which are peculiar to Whaler construction.

(As with so much of what’s available on the Internet, a great deal of this free information is unvetted. Let the reader beware.)


However, I think the same caution should be applied to reading that article. It gets some fundamental information wrong. For example, the article says:

Within three years of startup, Fisher introduced a 16′/4.9m hull derived from the original 13′ model, and gave it a center console—the first production boat so equipped. That model was soon stretched slightly to 16′7″ (5.1m) and sold as a 17; after a series of place names for it (Nauset, Eastport, Sakonnet, Currituck, Menemsha), the company settled on “Montauk,” in 1973, arguably the most popular small sportfisherman ever produced.


The "startup year" is given as 1958. According to the article's chronology, there should have been a 16-foot hull in production by 1961. The "16" is listed in the 1962 catalogue, and it is listed as a 16-foot 7-inch hull. I have never seen any literature from Boston Whaler for the 16-foot 0-inch hull described in the article.

The various model names NAUSET, EASTPORT, SAKONNET, CURRITUCK, and MENEMSHA are not all for the same boat, as suggested, but for different models or variations. The model name MONTAUK did appear in 1973, but the boat was not the same boat as the other models. The MONTAUK name was used when the center console was a molded center console, not a wooden component.

On that basis, I would suggest that the "free information" in this article is also "unvetted."

Jefecinco
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Location: Gulf Shores, AL

Re: Classic Whalers, Repurposed

Postby Jefecinco » Tue Jun 14, 2016 3:30 pm

What is the source of the article?
Butch

floater
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Re: Classic Whalers, Repurposed

Postby floater » Tue Jun 14, 2016 5:08 pm

I sure didn't like reading about the roller trailer!! I got 20 new rollers on my trailer and so far so good. No signs of any delamination but I don't trailer it very far.

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Phil T
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Re: Classic Whalers, Repurposed

Postby Phil T » Tue Jun 14, 2016 5:27 pm

1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
Member since 2003

floater
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Re: Classic Whalers, Repurposed

Postby floater » Tue Jun 14, 2016 9:21 pm

Yup I read that one too. This year has been very expensive with repairing all my used crap. Motor for Tahoe, gas tank for pick up, full rebuild of 14 foot tiny boat and now looking for a gas tank for the Revenge. A new bunk style trailer is going to have to wait.