Boston Whaler late 1980's 13' vs. 15'

[freshfinds]

Hello and Happy Thanksgiving!

I currently have a rough Boston Whaler (alot of salt water duty) 13' Classic with a Honda four-stroke 45HP. For some reason I feel I might be more happy with the Whaler 15' circa 1988. I must stay in this range because of limited towing weight - both only weigh 400 to 500 pounds.
Has anyone out there ever owned both of these Whalers and have an opinion one way or another?
Thanks!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Boston Whaler late 1980's 13' vs. 15'

I don't have experience with those boats but I'll tell ya, 2' can make all the difference in a boat. And it should still move pretty well with that 45HP.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boston Whaler late 1980's 13' vs. 15'

Big difference between the 13 and 15. Ask around a whaler site like continuous wave.
Better idea is to keep the 13 and buy a 17.

 

[gbb]

Re: Boston Whaler late 1980's 13' vs. 15'

I just got a 72 17 sakonnet and just love it. I took out the reversible seat and it really open up the floor. alot of space.

 

[high'n'dry]

Re: Boston Whaler late 1980's 13' vs. 15'

I would love to have a 13 again but in your case, yes, the two feet will make the boat much more capable.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Boston Whaler late 1980's 13' vs. 15'

I have an older-than-dirt 13 footer, and my brother has a newish 15 footer. They are really two different boats....

The 15 foot Montauk 150 weighs in at 950 lbs and is rated for a 60 HP (min. 40)
The 13 SS is 640 lbs and rated for 4- HP (min. 25)

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Boston Whaler late 1980's 13' vs. 15'

Welcome to iboats!

When JB returns (a longest time moderator here) he is a die hard Whaler fan and has owned quite a few over the years.

I will leave him a note to see if his experience will help.

 

[JB]

Re: Boston Whaler late 1980's 13' vs. 15'

Yes. I have had both a Sport 13 (1975) and a Striper 15 (1986).

Both great boats, but still different. The main difference is in their favorite kind of water.

Your 13 is very stable, light, fast (with anything over 25HP), maneuverable and safe as a life raft, but it doesn't like a chop. . .it is a wet, pounding boat in a chop.

The classic 15 is the best small hull design BW ever made (including all of the current hulls). Bob Dougherty's masterpiece. It is a tiny bit less stable, almost as light, quite a bit faster (50HP or more), just as maneuverable and safe. It is at home in a chop. . .smoother than the classic 16/17 (I have had a couple of those, too).

Unless you plan to go offshore there is no reason other than passenger capacity to go bigger than the 15.

For fishing alone or with one other the Striper 15 was my favorite fresh water boat. If you want to take a couple along, go for the classic Montauk 17.