Buying an old Whaler 13

[rockstar55667]

So I am looking at getting a Boston Whaler 13. After my recent debacle with my bowrider and its rotten floor, stringers... I want a simple boat. I found one on craigslist for 4200 (asking price). Its got a 1989 Mariner 40 HP outboard and trailer.

My main concern is due to age, what would I be getting myself into with this hull? Will it be another nightmare like my bowrider? It was restored, and looks good in pictures, but I believe it to still have the original foam and transom. The hull is my main concern here. I read I should tap it with a plastic hammer (I was going to use the plastic end of a screw driver) to check for a dull thud, meaning the foam is waterlogged. I just don't want to waste my and the sellers time if this boat is going to need new foam after 45 years.

Before I take the hour and a half ride up to see it, could this even be worth it?

Thanks.

 

[JB]

Re: Buying an old Whaler 13

Whaler hulls are nearly indestructible, rockstar. I bought a '73 13 years ago that had the outer hull cracked for about 8" right beside the keel.

I drilled a couple of 1" holes at either end of the keel and blew vacuum exhaust through it for about 8 hours. Patched the crack and the holes and used her for about 5 years with no ill effects. See my Red sky at night article about Heidi Yawl.

http://www.iboats.com/review_monthly/april12/april12_review_main2.html

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Buying an old Whaler 13

You don't say what year it is, but here's the deal:

Just like the typical i/o bowrider is about the worst design and build for a boat to last, the whaler is the best. it's very hard for water to get in the hull, maybe through a stray unfilled screw hole, barring a major injury. When it does, it does very little harm because there's no wood to rot. Now, if it sits holding water over an open hole, or it's a big gaping hole, you can get water in the foam. Then, freezing temps can cause some cracking, but in moderate climate it's just adding weight.

A 1989 whaler is relatively new. Don't think twice about the hull unless you see something obvious. Focus, however, on the motor.

A 40 on a 13 is a very fast rig; it's a small but stable boat. Get used to the sliding (even when pulling skiiers).

Can't speak to price. But a good whaler with a fair price will move in no time, especially since buyers take them practically sight unseen.

 

[rockstar55667]

Re: Buying an old Whaler 13

Sorry its a 1968. So far it sounds like it would be worth checking out.

 

[saumon]

Re: Buying an old Whaler 13

I just don't want to waste my and the sellers time if this boat is going to need new foam after 45 years.

Before I take the hour and a half ride up to see it, could this even be worth it?

Thanks.

Yes, it could be worth it. As for the foam, being part of the construction and bonded to the hull, it can't be replaced (unless by a really specialized shop) and don't need to.

What i wonder is what length is you bowrider: 17', 19'?

Chances are you can find a useable Montauk hull for the same price and swap your outboard onto it. Easier to find, much more room and less pounding.

Where are you located?

Here's a 17 Sport (same hull than the Montauk, less the console and seat) freshwater boat for 4900$, with a 1989 Mariner 100hp:

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/boa/3778173378.html

 

[rockstar55667]

Re: Buying an old Whaler 13

My bowrider is a 17'. Shes old and needs way too much work to save. I'm actually looking for something my car can tow too, so this boat works perfectly; and I want something simple, something that wont break (as much at least). I'll probably sell my boat and motor (and a parts motor that I got for it) so I can put some of that towards another boat.

I've done a bit of research on Mariners, and they seem like solid motors (basically Mercurys with a different badge). This motor is actually a 1986, not 1989. What should I look for in this motor? I know to make sure the idle sounds good, and to make sure the water pump is pumping. Should I invest in something to read the compressions? If so, what should the compressions of each cylinder be? And what should I buy to check?

If everything checks out, what is a good starting negotiation price? He is asking $4200.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Buying an old Whaler 13

A couple things:

A 13' whaler is a small boat especially coming from a 17'. They are simply not comparable. If you want a fool-proof zero maintenance boat close to your old one then as suggested get the 17' whaler, or a clone (McKee is one) or a Carolina Skiff.

Compression: you want the numbers to be within 10% of each other; that's what matters. I think you want 90-120 but others can speak better to that.

Check that you can unscrew the bolts; old salt motors can be impossible to repair.

Running at idle doesn't tell you much; never rev it up, either. You need to run it under at load.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Buying an old Whaler 13

I would agree that a 13 foot boat will be seriously small for most needs, and compared to your 17, well there is no comparison, and but that said the Whalers are some of the best boats made. That thing will flat out move with a 40, have fun making your choice on this one.

 

[rockstar55667]

Re: Buying an old Whaler 13

I went to look at the boat today. The guy was very nice, said he restored it 3 years ago. When he bought it, it was used as an old claming boat, so it sat in the water and wasn't well taken care of at all.

The owner says he stripped and the whole boat down, re-painted it and wired the lights and added a rub rail to the boat. I took some pictures of it. There appears to be quite a bit of spider cracks on the hull, and the bolts that hold the motor on are a bit resessed, but there does not appear to be any give at all in the transom. I knocked all over the hull with the plastic end of a screw driver, and there does not appear to be any dull thuds or anything that would indicate water in the foam. His bottom dollar is $3800.

The motor started right up and seemed to run good.

Look at the pictures and tell me what you think.

 

[rockstar55667]

Re: Buying an old Whaler 13

This I found under the hull, its really not very big, I took a close-up of it.

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Buying an old Whaler 13

I'm not a whaler guy but.... Look's like there is old damge in them pic's.The bottom paint is all cracked, is it covering up a bad hull?
Nice shiney varnish on all the wood,kinda takes the eye away from the painted interior,wich is coming off in the one pic? Whats the paint covering up?
I may be wrong on what I see in the pics,if so correct me!
Grub

 

[saumon]

Re: Buying an old Whaler 13

Doesn't look good to me either. The little holes in the hull aren't "that" bad, probably rock hits that can be repaired with fiberglass and gelcoat (they need to be repaired), but the transom is questionnable.

Also, I'd take a freshwater trailer boat any time over a moored saltwater hull with crazed, peeling bottom-paint, but that's me. That transom drain tube does look suspicious too, like a PVC tubing gooed with 5200.

The interior, on the other side, is really well done.

Did you look at the one I've posted above? It's a 17 Sport (same layout than the 13 Sport you're looking at, but 40" more in length and 9" more in beam). It appear to be a freshwater trailer-queen. And for almost the same price (but, not knowing where you're from, it could be too far)!

Maybe JB will chime in again...

 

[JB]

Re: Buying an old Whaler 13

The interior looks great, but the hull needs to be sanded down and maybe re-gelcoated. Looks like a $4000 interior on a $1500 hull to me.

 

[rockstar55667]

Re: Buying an old Whaler 13

wow, good responses so far! Thank you!!!

Saumon, I did look at the boat, its nice I am located in CT though, so unfortunately thats out. Though I would be all over that if it were nearby.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Buying an old Whaler 13

I haven't put a motor that big on mine, but have had a 18 and a 20--and no battery. it floats above the line in the stern where the side of the hull meets the bottom. He has paint way up the side, liek a boat that sits too low in the water--waterlogged hull? or do all 40's w/ battery sit that low?

and my motors screw on, not bolt through.

It's hard to get paint to stick--I'm rubbing/buffing mine instead.

 

[rockstar55667]

Re: Buying an old Whaler 13

I decided to pass on the boat because of the questionable transom. I still want a Whaler though. I found another, its a 15 foot powered by a 70 HP Yamaha. Here are a few pictures the owner sent me. You guys have all been quite helpful. I was wondering what you thought about this one. He is asking $4100 for it.

 

[JB]

Re: Buying an old Whaler 13

Sport 15. Looks like a good one.

The 15 is the smoothest riding Whaler under about 18'. My Striper 15 (Red Sky) was a great boat. Johnny 48SPL would cruise her at about 30mph. I imagine a 70 would really fly her.

Offer him $3500. That's what I paid for my Striper. iboats.com Review | June 2012

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Buying an old Whaler 13

Looks OK.
70 is a lot of motor; what's the rating?

Check out the circumstances of the patch on the port side.

You seem to have chips through the gel to the glas back at the port stern corner; patch before launching, and look for evidence of freeze damagein that vicinity (not likely but still...)

 

[rockstar55667]

Re: Buying an old Whaler 13

According to continuous wave, the max HP for the 15' is 70. I emailed the seller requesting to see the boat. The chips are a bit concerning. Is there anything in particular I should look for when inspecting the cracks? I want to make sure water didn't get in and saturate the foam or harm the transom.

I hear these things ride much smoother than the 13 because of the slight V shape of the hull, as opposed to the 13' flat bottom, so that is a plus.

 

[steven_p]

Re: Buying an old Whaler 13

70hp (max hp for that hull) is ideal for that boat. I had a 50hp 2 stroke on mine and it would do almost 30mph with one person, bimini down. $3,500 seems about right providing it's sound and clean. I sold mine for $4,500 but it was nearly mint. I probably could have gotten the asking price of $4,900 but I was impatient. I never should have sold that boat..... ugh...