Fixing up an old Whaler

[MushCreek]

I just recently picked up an '83 13' Boston Whaler Sport. It has been sitting for many years, and the price was right. Luckily it was covered, so the gel coat is nice (even shiny) and the hull is dry. There is no damage anywhere, save the wooden interior, which the carpenter ants destroyed. The trailer is very good (new tires on order), and the motor looks very good, except all of the rubber shock mounts are broken. It will need a new steering cable soon, as the old one is starting to split. Even the bimini top is still serviceable. It even has a custom stainless steel gas tank! Here's a before picture, and then after I stripped the interior and pressure washed it. I've ordered the mahogany lumber to redo the interior. I'll post more pics as I progress.

 

[markernineteen]

Re: Fixing up an old Whaler

WOW ! Thats going to clean up real nice . Your going to love that 13 ! I had a 74 model with a 35 Evinrude for years and sold it to move up to a Montauk . I love my 17 but I still miss that 13 , such a handy size , cheap on fuel and you could tow it with a small car . Congratulations !

 

[keepNitreel]

Re: Fixing up an old Whaler

WOW!!!! Nice find

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Fixing up an old Whaler

Nice boat. You could not salvage the old wood? JB here restored one a few years back. Great boats

 

[MushCreek]

Re: Fixing up an old Whaler

No- the wood was destroyed. Most of it was removed without even taking the screws out! The rear seat was fairly solid, but full of hole from the ants. I got all of the lumber locally for $150. The spots on the floor are bits of old mahogany still stuck to the silicone glue. I need to scrape that stuff off. I got the whole package for $750. The motor will probably be OK (if I can get mounts), and the trailer is excellent. My friend and I were easily able to lift the hull off of the trailer, so I know it's not waterlogged anywhere. I grew up in Whalers, so I know all about them. Right now, we live near the Gulf here in FL, but we will be moving to SC soon, and there are a number of big lakes in our neck of the woods. The Whaler should be ideal.

Jay

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Fixing up an old Whaler

OMG you STOLE that boat!!! I am serious.... $750 for a whaler, motor and trailer!! Did you use a gun or a knife? I am jealous! JB will be jealous too.

 

[MushCreek]

Re: Fixing up an old Whaler

I got it from an old friend of mine. He was embarrassed by both the condition he had let it get into, and the fact he bought it new, and then rarely used it. He wanted it to go to a good home. I tried to buy it from him (for a lot more money) several times over the years, but he wasn't ready to sell.

 

[whalerbeliever]

Re: Fixing up an old Whaler

You really are going to love this boat! I've had mine since 1966. My gel coat is cracked all over, but I think it's going to last longer than me.

 

[MushCreek]

Re: Fixing up an old Whaler

I'm slowly making progress- it's too hot and humid to work on it all day! I have the wood work cut out, and almost ready to varnish. I ordered new tires for the trailer, and some parts for the engine. I'd like to get it in the water, at least with a tiller handle motor, by mid-August. I might wait until winter to put the 35 back on it and rig up the steering, etc.

 

[singinout]

Re: Fixing up an old Whaler

Congrats on the find man! Def a steal! My grandpa was a missionary in Bahamas for several years and he had a Whaler till someone decided it would look better at their dock while he was at church. Not sure how big his was - im thinking maybe a little bigger. He got a different boat after that but he always missed his Whaler! Gud luck on your boat!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Fixing up an old Whaler

Congrats on the Whaler! Sounds like you're an old whaler fanatic so you know what you are dealing with. What size motor is she rated for? I would guess 40hp but maybe more considering how well built they are.

I saw a 13' Whaler for sale here in MI for $800 and I thought that was a steal. You really made out on this deal

Good trailer and the hull had the teal(not a huge fan of teal) exterior paint below the chines/waterline so I think it is a little newer?

Does anyone know when the whalers with teal paint from the factory were built?

 

[MushCreek]

Re: Fixing up an old Whaler

Never heard of a teal Whaler. The outside of the hull has always been white, and the inside was blue up until the 70's sometime when they went to the light tan color. 13' Whalers are rated for 40 hp, but I like a light motor to balance the boat better. I'm an OMC fan, but a 40 hp with trim and tilt is over 200 lbs. My 35 is only about 120. Here in FL, it's all about getting in the shallow places, so a big/heavy motor is a liability.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Fixing up an old Whaler

Here is a picture of the 13' Whaler with teal hull paint. Not a big fan of the teal, however I'm a big fan of the hull itself.

 

[MushCreek]

Re: Fixing up an old Whaler

I finally picked the boat up today! I got the new tires and rims for it, and hauled it home. We went through his shed and found more goodies- life jackets, anchor, the front seat, which he had built a compartment underneath, and hinged the top. This is such a nice addition to the storage-deprived Whaler, that I'm going to build the new seat just like it. The original is too far gone to refinish. The best find, though, was a set of seat cushions! They were kept inside, so they're in decent shape. They snap right over the bench seats, and are custom made for the boat.

Evidently, the trailer bearings are OK, since it's a 32 mile trip, and they barely got warm. I'll clean and re-pack then when I get a chance.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Fixing up an old Whaler

Congratulations

It's nice that you got the extras with the purchase, the more original equipment the better if you ask me. They did a pretty good job designing the whalers in the first place no doubt. Did you get the cushion for the bow seat as well?

Have you run the motor yet? That boat is going to be sweet when you're finished, have fun with her!

 

[MushCreek]

Re: Fixing up an old Whaler

No- he never had the bow cushion. I might get one, though- they look nice. The motor is going to take some work, as it sat for some 10 years. All of the rubber shock mounts are broken, and one of them is no longer available. I found a substitute that's pretty close- it will work with a couple shims. Obviously, the water pump is toast, and I'll need a carb kit. He said the lower unit would need work, as it was starting to jump out of gear at WOT. I may dig into that first to see if it's worth spending money on the rest of the motor. I collect antique outboards, and have one long shaft, so I'll probably just putt around with that this summer. That way, I can build the console, and do the serious engine work in cooler weather. At least it's home now, so I can work on it at my leisure.

 

[MushCreek]

Re: Fixing up an old Whaler

Had the boat in the water today! I made a new interior, and got one of my antiques running, a 1956 Johnson 15 hp. We went out fishing and cruising around- really brought back memories! The motor isn't enough hp; it planed off with just me, but not with three adults. I kinda like the simplicity of the tiller- I may just find a little bit bigger/newer tiller O/B and keep it like it is.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Fixing up an old Whaler

If you could post some more pictures we would all be very happy to see her in the water and all dressed up

Congrats on the splash, I agree running a tiller motor is fun, more direct control of the motor