Boston Whalers

[mnewb1]

I am very new to the boating world...looking at all kinds of boats. I notice that anything labeled a Boston whaler seems to be very high priced... is there something really special about this type of boat of which I am just ignorant?

especially something like this where the price to me seems outrageous

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/boa/1830671754.html

 

[pole position]

Re: Boston Whalers

As a boat hauler, I think you're paying for a name,look around more.

 

[gozierdt]

Re: Boston Whalers

I've always considered them as one of the best boats for rough water. I had a similar tri-hull shape 17' Marlin with the same Merc 115 in the 70's, and it handled San Francisco and San Pablo bays extremely well. The whaler is very stoutly built, and I believe all of them have flotation between inner and outer hulls so that they will float upright even if completely full of water- at least that was one of their advertising points. I do think the example you cite is priced high- the motor is still a 30 year old motor, even if the boat is like new. The reason I've never gone for one is that they (the smaller ones at least) are all center console boats, and I use my boats mostly for family use, and a BR runabout works better for us.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boston Whalers

well built, well designed, and popular among die-hards--that keeps the used price high.
You won't be disappointed with one* or ashamed to drive an old one.

*unless the inner hull is waterlogged--then it's over.

 

[zip34788]

Re: Boston Whalers

I concur with you on the price of the boat you have linked. It does seem a might stiff, but on the other hand someone will probably pay that.

I think I have personally owned six Whalers. I currently have very rare 9' tender with a 4hp Mercury. Was recently offered $3500, but I didn't take it. That may have been the meeting of two fools.

Boston Whalers have one of the best resale values of any boat on the market. Boat are traditionally not a very good investment. That having been said, even if you do spend the extra for a Whaler you will most likely retain more of your hard earned cash when it is time to trade or sell it.

 

[mnewb1]

Re: Boston Whalers

good info, thanks all.

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: Boston Whalers

if you do spend the extra for a Whaler you will most likely retain more of your hard earned cash when it is time to trade or sell it.

This is true in percentage terms but usually not in whole dollars. It's the same as with Harley Davidsons. Remember. Retaining 80% of the value of a $10,000 boat is exactly the same as retaining 40% of a $5,000 boat. Similar to Bayliners, Whalers are priced according to a reputation that they no longer live up to.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Boston Whalers

Once a product gets a cult following the price skyrockets. That is what Whalers have done. The've been around a long time so I'm sure the reputation is deserved. Are they worth it? Like is always said "It's worth exactly what someone is willing to pay". Heck look at the prices on VW bugs nowadays. The quality of those doesn't warrant the prices, but they sell so I guess it does.

What always amazes me is when people think they are sitting on a gold mine because they have a sought after brand of something. I have seen a bunch of junk Whalers with an enormous price because of the brand. No matter the brand if not cared for junk is still junk.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Boston Whalers

Remember. Retaining 80% of the value of a $10,000 boat is exactly the same as retaining 40% of a $5,000 boat.

Close, but not quite right. Retaining 80% of the value of a $10,000 boat would be the same as retaining 60% of the value of a $5000 boat. You cut the cost in half (from $10,000 to $5,000) so you can double the loss percentage (from 20% to 40%) and still retain the same end value. 100% - 20% = 80% retained value, 100% - 40% = 60% retained value. Looks like you just got the 40% and 60% turned around in your example.

A $10,000 boat retaining 80% of it's value means you can sell it for $8,000, thus losing $2,000.

A $5,000 boat retaining 60% of it's value means you can sell it for $3,000, thus also losing $2,000.

A $5,000 boat that retained only 40% of it's value (as in 180Fishermans example) would mean that you could sell it for $2,000, thus losing $3,000.

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: Boston Whalers

Yeah, what he said.

 

[JB]

Re: Boston Whalers

Close, but not quite right. Retaining 80% of the value of a $10,000 boat would be the same as retaining 60% of the value of a $5000 boat. You cut the cost in half (from $10,000 to $5,000) so you can double the loss percentage (from 20% to 40%) and still retain the same end value. 100% - 20% = 80% retained value, 100% - 40% = 60% retained value. Looks like you just got the 40% and 60% turned around in your example.

A $10,000 boat retaining 80% of it's value means you can sell it for $8,000, thus losing $2,000.

A $5,000 boat retaining 60% of it's value means you can sell it for $3,000, thus also losing $2,000.

A $5,000 boat that retained only 40% of it's value (as in 180Fishermans example) would mean that you could sell it for $2,000, thus losing $3,000.

C'mon, guys. Grade 3 arithmetic. 80% is 80%. It is the same as 80%.

 

[JB]

Re: Boston Whalers

I am one of those fanatics about Boston Whalers, especially the ones designed by Bob Dougherty. That covers most models marketed between 1970 and 2000.

I have owned 9 and sold most for more than I paid for them. I tearfully regret selling any of them, *sniff*. I particularly regret parting with Sunshine and Sunshine III, a 1966 Sakonnet 16 and a 1981 Montauk 17. Both better boats than you will find in a Boat Show this year.

There is no boat you can buy that will hold value and earn your devotion like a classic Dougherty designed Boston Whaler from the 80s.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Boston Whalers

C'mon, guys. Grade 3 arithmetic. 80% is 80%. It is the same as 80%.

Send me $10,000 minus 80%, then I'll gladly send you back $5000 minus 80% so we're even!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Boston Whalers

C'mon, guys. Grade 3 arithmetic. 80% is 80%. It is the same as 80%.

I was expecting a comment regarding the quality of a Boston Whaler Sakonnet ---EDIT, saw your second post JB. Carry on sir.

Boston Whaler hulls hold value because unlike other boats they can be sawn in half and still retain bouyancy. Folks like peace of mind, it just has a price tag.

I almost bought a 13' Whaler Sport last year for $700 and I'm still kicking myself for letting it go.

 

[ufm82]

Re: Boston Whalers

Rough water boat? Maybe if you like being pounded in anything over a foot. The tri-hull design catches too much of the wave and bounces, causing a lot of banging. While they are very stable and strong, I don't think of them as a rough water boat.
As far as longevity, I don't know the reason either but I am always amazed to see a 14' Whaler with mediocre power listed at the high end of what anyone would pay for a comparable boat. I was going to make the comparison to a Harley but that was already done- there is simply a market out there of people willing to pay that amount.
I've been on two Whalers in my life, a 14' and a 17'- the 14 was on a lake and was in fact a smooth comfortable ride- water was not glass but close. Handling was great, side-to-side stability was great and it was quiet- that really impressed me. The 17 was another story. Lake Erie conditions of 2' and breezy made for a hard ride- lots of up and down and hard landings. It was also very WET- I got a faceful numerous times and this was water that I could run my v-hull boat in without getting a drop on me. That didn't impress me at all.

UFM82

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Boston Whalers

Unless you get a big one they are lousy in rough water. The hulls are design for stability not rough water.

The floatation thing is a joke all small boats have floatation and will float swamped ( not sure why you'd cut your boat in half so that's just marketing nonsense).

Chop gun and foam you can market it anyway you want it still isn't a good boat.

If you want a Bob Dougherty boat why don't you buy one of his improved designs Everglades.

 

[ripler]

Re: Boston Whalers

I worked for the company that made the machine they use to inject the foam into the boats, infact I was the person who programmed and commissioned the machine and have first hand knowledge of the foam. The foam is not only used for flotation but it's what adhears the boat together, which pretty much gives you a 1 piece construction and a more solid boat. Most boat makers put in blocks of foam to help pass the boyancy test.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Boston Whalers

The fact is that --way back when-- Whaler was the first to do that type hull and for a long time no one else did. Again, way back when, Whaler had excellent quality contol programs and tried to strictly control, for example, resin to glass ratio to ensure the strongest mix. You always pay more for the added effort by the manufacturer.

While the tri hulls are rough riding, they are also very fast. The hull is capable of withstanding way more than your body and even in the worst conditions will get you home.

'Course, that can be said for a lot of hulls these days. And yes, you are buying a name, but a name worth buying. At least, that's my take on it.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boston Whalers

a "good rough water boat" can mean two things: Good as in safe, or good as in comfortable. The whaler is the former, not the latter, although I have never seen any boat that is "smooth" in rough water, and if a 17' whaler is rougher than a 17' Starcraft V, it isn't by much.

But as to "Good as in safe, or good as in comfortable" which is more important? The answer depends on how you boat. If you are a fair-weather trailer to the lake and stay 5 minutes from the car, you want comfortable. If you need to deal with what nature will throw at you, you need safe. To each his own.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Boston Whalers

BUt the whaler isn't safer.

Sure if you go by the incredibly unlikely event that your boat breaks apart you'll have chunks of whaler floating to hang on to. But then if the starcraft broke up you'd also have large chunks floating to hold on to.

It goes without saying that you should have a lifejacket on way before you experience anything like that.

Now if you think about the less extreme example of some good 2'-3' chop getting whipped up by the wind and the occasional roller you have to deal will I'd much rather be in the starcraft.

So where is this extra safety the whaler loves to advertise?

Does a boat that beats you to death when the water gets rough provide safety? Not in my opinion, it does the opposite by causing more chances to get hurt.

Remember the big whaler marketing model is centered around there original market which was tenders, the tri hull is safe cause it wont tip when your unloading groceries and when the kids are playing in it.