classic 13' Boston Whaler questions

[xjdriver]

Hey guys im interested in buying a 13' whaler. there are a few around my area but before I go looking I figured I would see if you guys had some tips. Both boats im interested in are 70s models. one has an 80s evinrude 25hp that i doubt has power trim. and im not really sure if 25hp is enough, and the other has a 80s johnson 40hp with electric tilt/trim I really want power tilt.. both boats have the side console with the mahogany seats, both priced around 3000. they look real clean in the pics. now Im pretty good with engines but I dont know if there is anything particular i should be looking for with these boats.

its been a while since I was last on this forum, what happend to the owners groups? unless I just couldn't find the link from the main page...

 

[Alumarine]

If they are rated for a 40 then I would think a 40 with trim and tilt would be best?

Here's a link to the owners groups. The site has changed a bit,
https://forums.iboats.com/forum/owners-groups-by-manufacturer

 

[mr 88]

The big thing is water saturation into the foam sandwich. Look up the weight specs for motor ,trailer and hull then take it to a scale.

 

[xjdriver]

If they are rated for a 40 then I would think a 40 with trim and tilt would be best?

Here's a link to the owners groups. The site has changed a bit,
https://forums.iboats.com/forum/owners-groups-by-manufacturer

thats what im thinking I contacted the seller so well see. looks like the owners groups are dead, no posts in years...

 

[xjdriver]

The big thing is water saturation into the foam sandwich. Look up the weight specs for motor ,trailer and hull then take it to a scale.

best way to check for water intrusion without a scale? I was thinking try picking up on the bow a little to see if its super heavy.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

best way to check for water intrusion without a scale? I was thinking try picking up on the bow a little to see if its super heavy.

Don't do what I did last December. I though I was 33 not 63 and tried to lift the tongue of my boat trailer. 3 Lumbar Vertebra compression fractures.

I would be concerned with water logged foam on a boat of that age as well. I don't think lifting it will tell you much, how do you know how heavy it is supposed to be? Weigh it.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I have only met one 40+ year old whaler ever that did not have water-logged foam.

only way to tell is to weigh it.

 

[Lightwin 3]

I agree, weigh it. However, you can look for signs of it.
.
Look around at any hardware attached to the deck (floor). Are they sealed correctly?

Press the areas around any fasteners, any water bubble up?

I have successfully dried out Several Whalers. Some say it can't be done but it can.

 

[Willyclay]

I have a bud that "rescues" BW13's. Last count, he had three in various states of repair due to the saturated foam issue. Also, check the transom for rigidity very carefully. Maybe you will find a gem. Good luck!

 

[JimS123]

Today Boston Whaler offers only one motor for all of their smaller crafts. They list it as "max HP", but they offer no smaller options.

A 13 should have 40 HP. Anything smaller would not perform up to the boat's capabilities.

 

[xjdriver]

okay so here is the current situation, both boats I was considering looking at turned out to be mid 60s models too old for what im looking for especially after hearing you guys input about water logged foam. I did find a craiglist ad for a 80s 17ft "newport" for 2000, sound too good to be true. I messaged the guy, waiting to hear back still, might call later.



.

 

[tomhath]

I did find a craiglist ad for a 80s 17ft "newport" for 2000, sound too good to be true. I messaged the guy, waiting to hear back still, might call later.
.

Many ads on craigslist offer a boat for around $2000 when the boat should sell for several times that amount. They are all scams, don't waste your time with this and definitely don't send any money.

If it sounds too good to be true, it isn't true.

 

[mr 88]

Many ads on craigslist offer a boat for around $2000 when the boat should sell for several times that amount. They are all scams, don't waste your time with this and definitely don't send any money.

If it sounds too good to be true, it isn't true.

There is a possibility that some one wanting to get out and maybe a bit older would dump one for that price and if he listed the model year and its a older one there is a pretty good chance its legit.. BUT yes the Craigslisters that show a boat with palm tree's in the background and you live up north are usually a give away.Along with poor English and repeating a couple stupid features on all the boats/jetskis they list. Some area code that is not in your neck of the woods for a reply is red flag material. A couple local examples 2012 wakeboard boat with tower,3500 $ Two 2014 jetskis with trailer ,2500 uhhhh NO.

 

[tpenfield]

My family has a 1972 whaler 13 with a 25 HP engine. With 2 people, it goes fine. 40 HP would be more than adequate power. I'd go for the 40HP. Most boats from the 1960's-1980's will have some water retention in the foam sandwich. Ours did . . .

Well worth fixing, if it is not too bad. So check to see if the boat is water logged. On the trailer, it may seem water from the undersides of the hull, or seep water into the cockpit area.

 

[xjdriver]

Many ads on craigslist offer a boat for around $2000 when the boat should sell for several times that amount. They are all scams, don't waste your time with this and definitely don't send any money.

If it sounds too good to be true, it isn't true.

ya i know i dont have my hopes up too high, I tried calling today and it rings once and says your call was rejected.

I have my eye out on craiglist and the facebook marketplace for an older whaler in good shape that they're not asking an arm and a leg for.. the 60s is just too old for what I want.

 

[tomhath]

This ad just popped up in Pittsburgh tonight...same picture, different description, a thousand miles away.

 

[xjdriver]

This ad just popped up in Pittsburgh tonight...same picture, different description, a thousand miles away.

HA bet they only reply to the email and have some story about how they'll deliver it to you when you send money,

 

[b.gagnon]

I would not buy anything before 1972... You want a 20" transom!
I have a 1988 super sport w/2000 35hp 3cyl Johnson and it has no problem hitting 32-34mph with two adults. it also gets on plane instantly. I bought the boat for my kids but I think I enjoy it more than them! It also burns a fraction of the fuel that my boat does..

 

[high&dry]

I miss my Whaler 13 and am in the market (sorta) for another. Nice ones or those which are worthy of a rebuild are fairly high dollars. Demand for older (being relative, I did not say classic) Boston Whalers and other similar top tier boats tends to make them useful for scams. J

 

[xjdriver]

so after some thinking Im not sure if a 13 footer is right for me. i want something that I can comfortably have 4 people on. another thing is that they're expensive, anything later than 60s models in good shape near me are going for $4200 plus.
anyway I might be going to look at this, oh boy... he wants to much $ for it but its near me and I like the 4.3. so I might take a look.