Boat suggestions - Boston Whaler Supersport

ThePerchik

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 27, 2008
Messages
36
Hi All,

I made the mistake of going to the NY Boat show on saturday and now i have new boat fever. Its really bad. I cant eat sleep or look at my oldie.

I am looking to run my thoughts by the rest of you since my mind is fogged and most people probably have more experience then me with boats. I am at 1.5 seasons now. I hope you can chime in to let me know if my choice is a safe one and if you ahve any other craft ideas.

As much as i love to think i use the boat for going to have fun with the finance (errr...wife i mean) and fishing with dad and uncle, i dont. I the 1.5 years i had the boat we went fishing twice and took friends out to have fun once. BUT i have used the boat every weekend from April 1 to the end of October. I take a couple of firends (2-3) and myself to an island about 3-4 miles from shore. We take about 100-150 pounds of gear with us. We spend about 25% of the transit time going at no-wake speeds and the motor trimmed up as we approach the island. It is very shallow. At this island we rig our kiteboarding gear and ride all day.

The boat is basically a taxi for us and the occasional rescue boat when someone has ane bad crash or a gear malfunction we use it to fish them out and get them back to the island.

The one thing we need to kiteboard other than water, is wind. We need anything form 15-35 mph. Once it starts to get to 30/35 we have gotten stuck in 40 mph winds and headed home. And with wind usually comes a small craft advisory. The bay that we are doing this in is Bargnegat Bay, NJ. It can get relatively rough with 2-3 foot waves.

Realistically, as much as I like taking friends to this island, i dont want to shell out 10K just for them to be able to go. In the end me and my kite buddy are splitting the boat and the minimum is that the two of us can get there an back safely. The occassional rescue of a third kiter shoudlnt be a problem as it will just be 3 people and 1 person's wet gear (40 pounds).

So at the boat show me and my buddy found our calling with Boston Whaler, We saw the new 2009 Boston Whaler Supersport 130 and 150. The 130 is rated for 4 people, and comes with a 40HP 4-stroke mercury and a trailer with LED lights for 10K. The 150 is rated for 6people and comes with 60HP 4-stroke mercury and trailer with LED lights for 14K.

Both seem like a really great deal. The new hull designs also look sreally nice, a bit of a departure from their classic look. I figure the 130 "CAN" fit our needs. With two of us on the bench seat and our gear (100 pounds or so) we are within the weight specs. Considering the 7" draft with engine up we are definately in business. The self bailing hull that is foam filled also seems to seal the deal.

We made plans to test botht he 130 and the 150 with the dealer in early spring on a rough day. We are planning on throwing our gear onto the boat and taking human cargo of three(both of us and the dealer) to give it a test to see how viable each boat is.

A lot of the guys on the island use jetskis to get to and from. But in rough water i woudl rather have a self bailing small boat. And the idea of a boat means i can use it on that rare day for some recreation.

My questions is this (if you read this far): How safe are either of these boats considering our uses and the conditions we will be using them? Would you have any other suggestions?

Thanks for bearing with my essay.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Boat suggestions - Boston Whaler Supersport

well they are suppose to be the safest on the water. but the operator, also has to be educated in seamanship.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Boat suggestions - Boston Whaler Supersport

There is no better small boat made. Some are just as safe, but none safer.

As TD says, no boat is safer than the operator.
 

ThePerchik

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 27, 2008
Messages
36
Re: Boat suggestions - Boston Whaler Supersport

Yes, i agree, dont be stupid, we are usually super careful. We are always out there in our THICK wetsuits except for int eh summer and always have PFD's on. Always have waterproof VHF, GPS and cell phones in a dry bag. Usually we travel in groups. Everyone checks on eachother after arrival.

How is the ride on these things? Do you think the 130 will do the job?
 

jonesg

Admiral
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
7,198
Re: Boat suggestions - Boston Whaler Supersport

One of the best features of the whaler is the resale value, they hold their value like a harley.

The whaler factory is near here, I know people who worked there, the quality is high, attention to fittings etc is high.

Myself I'd be looking at a Carolina skiff , due to budget,
but 'sup to you.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Boat suggestions - Boston Whaler Supersport

personally i would go 150, with the 60 hp. the 130 would absolutely limit you.
 

KurtG

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 27, 2007
Messages
323
Re: Boat suggestions - Boston Whaler Supersport

I looked at the 13' whalers (used) before I bought our current 15' Henry O McKee. I liked the Mckee better than the whalers of the same vintage and size.

What is your current ride? I think you are going to want the 15 footer.
 

ThePerchik

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 27, 2008
Messages
36
Re: Boat suggestions - Boston Whaler Supersport

I currently have a 1982 Tundercraft Citation bowrider with a 1992 Evinrude 90HP 2 banger.

Why did you choose the 15' Henry O McKee over the whaler, what were the +'s and -'s
 

npd4432

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 18, 2006
Messages
468
Re: Boat suggestions - Boston Whaler Supersport

I was at the show on Sunday and was impressed with the Whaler. Nice design on the Supersport. Price was pretty fair too. Me and my friends spoke of that boat for the rest of the day.
 
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