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We tend to see a lot of 13 and 16 foot Whalers on these pages. Here are some larger models of Boston Whaler. We have hulls in 22, 23, 25 and 27 feet, and powering options including standard transom, Whaler Drive, Stainless Marine bracket, and Inboard/Outboard. We also cover the Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to the Carribean, and inland twice to Wisconsin. Here is a nice collection of boats and photographs, a baker's dozen, in fact.
Brian Blazer sent these photographs of the Ephraim Rescue Boat, an 1989 22-Outrage Cuddy with Whaler Drive. The boat was just repowered with twin Mercury 115-horsepower four-stroke Saltwater model outboards. The engines were donated by Mercury and installed by a local dealer. Before you get your hopes up for a similar corporate donation, it should be mentioned that the President of Mercury Marine has a summer home nearby. I am sure he didn't want to see the rescue boat running around with anything but new black engines on the transom. Although not seen in the pictures, there is a rather large "Mercury" logo on the hull sides. Brian writes:
"I have now had the opportunity to put about 15 hours on a pair of Merc 115 EXLPTEFI4SSW 25" that are on our water rescue boat, and I have a few opinions. First, about the boat.
"The boat is a 22-Outrage Cuddy with Whaler Drive and Super Console. This boat has been set up as a combination fire supression and water rescue vehicle. Through the topside of the cuddy is a high pressure attack gun. This is connected by means of flexible hose to a 1000-GPM pump that is mounted under the leaning post.
"The boat has a T-Top, full electronics (radar, chartplotter, 3 radios, cell phone, depth sounder), full lights and sirens, complete rescue gear, foam system, etc.
"This past winter, Mercury donated a pair of 115 EXLPTEFI4SSW 25" to replace the old 110 Johnsons. The new engines are wonderful. While not available in a counter rotating model, any list is easily trimmed out. Starting these motors is a dream. They are so quiet that there have been times that I have had to check the tachs at idle to make sure they were running.
"Hole shot is good, but not as immediate as with 2-strokes. Top end with all the equipment and our team of three is about 33-MPH.
"I am still not sure if these engines burn gas at all. Last night we spent about four hours doing a lot of high speed searching (for lost PWC riders again). Total fuel consumption was less than 20 gallons.
"These engines do have one major drawback however. Shifting from FWD to REV is a complete bear. Mercury has said that it is an ignition problem and they are aware of it. As explained to me, when shifting like this, the ignition shuts the motor off for less than 0.5 second to allow the gears to mesh into reverse. Well this ignition shut down can not occour until the engines have set below a certain RPM. Replacing the aluminum props with stainless ones have helped a bit, as the added weight of the props help slow the engine quicker; but it is still very noticeable. (By the way, the stainless props were another donation by Mercury).
"All in all, I am very impressed with these motors. They have proven reliable, economical, and quiet, not to mention the reduction in emmissions."
--Brian Blazer
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1989 Boston Whaler 22-Outrage Cuddy with Whaler Drive The Ephraim, Wisconsin, Fire Department Rescue boat, on the waters of Green Bay (Lake Michigan) in Door County. This stern view shows the details of the full transom and Whaler Drive appendage. Note the additional reinforcing rod connecting the center of the engine mount on the Whaler Drive to the hull's transom. PhotoCredit: Brian Blazer - Reference: 63-01 |
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22-Rescue Seating in this model is the Leaning Post option. Beneath the leaning post is a 1,000 GPM pump used to power the fire fighting monitor on the bow. Under the gunwales where others store fishing rods you can see several sections of large 3-inch semi-rigid hose which is used for drawing water from the lake for the pump when running the fire fighting monitor. PhotoCredit: Brian Blazer - Reference: 63-02 |
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Console Details The Super Console (an option) is wrapped by a custom T-Top assembly. You could spend a nice day at the office at this helm station. PhotoCredit: Brian Blazer - Reference: 63-03 |
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Fire Fighter The cuddy cabin roof/foredeck holds a fire fighting monitor. Driven from the cockpit pump, it can shoot 1,000 gallons per minute onto a fire. PhotoCredit: Brian Blazer - Reference: 63-04 |
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22-Rescue The long setback of the Whaler Drive bracket permits rather large engines to be tilted to the fully up position. Boy, the cowlings are big on these 115-HP 4-strokes; they almost look like 150-HP EFI's! PhotoCredit: Brian Blazer - Reference: 63-05 |
Scott Carrol of Chester, Nova Scotia sent some photographs of his recently restored 27 Offshore as it was relaunched this May (2002). I really love the lines and the look of this model. Everytime I see a picture of one I want to get it! Scott writes:
"I just stumbled across the Whaler portion of your website. What great site! There are Whalers in there I have never seen before. I forward a few shots of my 1992 27 Offshore. I bought it last September in Stuart, Florida and towed it all the way back to Chester, Nova Scotia, Canada. It was a 41 hour non-stop drive with the boat in tow. It was a bit hard on the nerves with a 10-foot beam and no wide load permits. We had luck in our favour though and managed to get all the way home with out any trouble.
"This boat was not a mint boat but after spending countless hours all winter, it looks like a new one again. I upgraded all the electronics (radar, plotter, flux-gate compass, stereo), replaced all the pumps (macerators, live well etc.), put a teak and holley cabin sole down, had a canvas enclosure made etc. etc.
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1992 Boston Whaler 27-Offshore After a winter-long renovation, this now beautiful 27-Offshore is about to return to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean off of Nova Scotia. PhotoCredit: Scott Carroll - Reference: 63-06 |
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1992 Boston Whaler 27-Offshore The unmistakable Whaler "smirk" smiling at you is a trademark of a classic hull design. PhotoCredit: Scott Carroll - Reference: 63-07 |
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1992 Boston Whaler 27-Offshore A closeup of some of the canvas details in the shelter. That gelcoat is gleaming, too. Note the large clamshell vent used to shield the hull drain. PhotoCredit: Scott Carroll - Reference: 63-08 |
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1992 Boston Whaler 27-Offshore And you thought you had a lot of holes in your transom. Look at all the scuppers, through hulls, etc., on this boat! PhotoCredit: Scott Carroll - Reference: 63-09 |
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1992 Boston Whaler 27-Offshore To get an idea of the size of a 27-Offshore, compare the boat to the mid-sized SUV in the foreground. That is a lot of boat! PhotoCredit: Scott Carroll - Reference: 63-10 |
Dr. Alan Platt of the British Virgin Islands sent some nice photographs of his recently acquired 1987 Boston Whaler 25 Temptation. The Temptation model introduced a racy-looking sport boat to the Whaler line. It was produced for several years in a number of models from 1986 until 1989. Powering options included Gill Marine brackets (a pipe-style bracket), Whaler Drive, Inboard/Outboard power (from either OMC or Mercury), or perhaps even an OMC Sea Drive. I don't think a standard transom was available, since the top mold was not designed for it, but I don't believe any were actually delivered from the factory with a Stainless Marine bracket. (Whaler did later use that bracket on some models.) On this boat, the bracket was probably added as part of the refit that included the 1997 outboard engines. Alan writes:
"Hello,
"New owner of a used 1987 Whaler 25-Temptation. Would like to see/hear about others like this one. Learning as I go. Much maintenance on my own. This model seemed to be the largest of the time, and possibly short lived, as I can't find much info on it. I shopped two, so I know of one other!
"Mostly used for scuba and island hopping, the two 200-HP Mercs travel well at 3000-4000 RPM, about 25-35 MPH. Supposed top speed from previous owner is 63 MPH via a GPS. I've had it to 45. I'm still working in MPH until I get a handle on the knots conversion. Open for fuel efficiency/maximal tuning suggestions!
Funny story, maybe: Had a surveyor inspect before purchasing. He found a high level of moisture reading in the rear hull wall to the far right and left below the engine step/transom. So I cut with a 1-inch hole saw to check the "wood" for rot and got a nice sample of fiberglass and foam, DRY! After another hole, realize that there was no wood, and his meter was reading through the 9-inches (or more) of fiberglass and foam to the water in the bilge area. Not even in the water and I'm patching holes! The only wood back there is a V shaped thick section where the engine transom is mounted. All else checked out. The engines are 1997 Mercury 200's. So far I've tuned, rebuilt fuel pump and lines, and timed by ear in the learning curve.
"Did I mention all my spare cash goes to GAS! About 20 gallons an hour at $2.50 per down here. But it's great for staying dry! My first ocean boat, I've been in 4-8 foot swells most of the time. I hope it is a strong as you all claim! Flat water months are coming! Oh yes, I'm in the British Virgin Islands. Beautiful place to have a boat, bare boat capital of the world. Different white sand bay every night. Most renters couldn't find there way out of a paper bag with their compass, but you can't hardly get lost before running into another island. My choice is to power to dive sites, and sandy beaches, and the USVI, when and where I like. Lobster anyone?
"Worst aspect of the boat (too many good ones to list) is there is no graceful way to get up to the front deck from the rear deck. Have to be somewhat acrobatic to get around or over the windshield! I like this style, but the walk-arounds have it made. Keeping the anchor in the back because of this. But I like the cabin for the many over-nighters. Got a "shower in a bag" for fresh water rinses.
"Send me pictures/info/suggestions/gas money!"
Be Well!
Dr. Alan
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1987 Boston Whaler 25 Temptation The classic Whaler hull was also married to a rather racy top deck to become the Temptation model. Almost all of these were produced with either a Whaler Drive or an Inboard/Outboard drive. This boat is quite interesting because it has a Stainless Marine bracket on it. It did not leave the factory that way in 1987, but the bracket was probably added as part of a refit. The original configuration is not known at this writing. The unusual "Whaler" striping is factory original. PhotoCredit: Alan Pratt - Reference: 63-11 |
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1987 Boston Whaler 25 Temptation A diver's eye view of the Tempation rolling in the swells in the British Virgin Islands. PhotoCredit: Alan Pratt - Reference: 63-12 |
David Pendleton of Minnesota long ago sent a photograph of his boat, a 1999 Boston Whaler 23 Conquest. He's the original owner, too. I have been hanging on to this shot, just waiting for a proper opportunity to use it. Now is the time! David writes:
"I may be a bit premature with this one, but even though my Whaler is a 1999 model, it is a discontinued variant. Does this make it a classic? As near as I know, mine is the only Conquest I/O in Minnesota." "I love the continuousWave site and would love to be featured on it."
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1999 Boston Whaler 23 Conquest TAMPICO This 23-Conquest features somewhat unusual inboard/outboard powering. Whaler has a history of offering I/O power options in some of their larger hull models. This boat has a 5.7 Litre Mercruiser V-8 engine and a BRAVO-III drive. The shot was taken at Hudson City Docks, St. Croix River, Hudson, Wisconsin, near the end of the 2000 season. PhotoCredit: Cameron Hagen - Reference: 63-13 |
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This article first appeared August 21, 2002.
Last modified: Sunday, 01-Jun-2003 14:56:41 EDT
Author: James W. Hebert