Newb looking at an older Boston Whaler to buy, any advice?

[Burro237]

I've got a deposit on a 16year old Boston Whaler with a mid 2000's Evinrude motor. I'm scheduled to go look at it next weekend. What sort of things should I be looking at hull wise? I'm pretty much new to boating, although I learned some pretty hard lessons last summer about boat buying. I also learned that I don't ever want another I/O or Bowrider boat ever again. I was planning on buying a brand new boat this summer after being soured on my last used boat experience. But before I pulled the trigger on a new Nautic Star Bay this Boston Whaler popped up on the radar nearby and looked like a not so bad deal. I've been lusting after a new BW, but I gotta eat, so buying new is not an option. I've always heard that a BW hull will pretty much last forever...Is that a bunch of BS? The ones I've crawled around on felt like they were built out of concrete rather than glass. Just felt so much more solid than other stuff. Anyone know if they used wood in their construction during that period? How can you tell if a transom has rotting problems or not? I am aware that I will probably have to repower it within the next few years, but any advice on what to look for in the current engine would be appreciated also. Thanks

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Newb looking at an older Boston Whaler to buy, any advice?

Boston Whalers are foam core injected into the fiberglass shell. It results in about as tough a boat as you will find. The concern in shopping one would be if water has penetrated into the core. I'm not sure about the transom, but others will probably comment.


What model whaler are we looking at ?

Just be aware of the differences between many of the Boston Whaler hulls and the classic deep v hulls.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Newb looking at an older Boston Whaler to buy, any advice?

BW hulls are totally Foam filled. You need to know what the Original weight of the hull was and what it is now to ensure the foam has not taken on any water and added significant weight to the boat. Bouncing on the lower leg of the motor and checking for flex in the Transom is once way for checking a bad transom. Looking for cracks and discoloration around any fittings etc. Look under the hull for any major gouges or damage and Get IN the boat and check every nook and cranny for soft spots in the deck, discoloration, cracks etc. Look below deck in hatches, engine compartments etc. Take a Flashlight so you can really SEE!! I'm no expert and I'm Not 100% sure but I don't think she has any wood in her except maybe the transom in that year, but again I could be wrong.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Newb looking at an older Boston Whaler to buy, any advice?

I've always heard that a BW hull will pretty much last forever...Is that a bunch of BS?

Ayuh,.... Whalers can take on hidden water, just like any other foamed glass boat,....

Find out the Original weight of the boat, 'n Weigh it before ya plunk down yer cash,....
If ya can't justify any Extra weight,.... walk away,...

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Newb looking at an older Boston Whaler to buy, any advice?

meh. it's a whaler. just buy it before someone else does. No one's going to let you go weigh it. Unless it shows signs of massive neglect or there are lots of stray holes drilled in it for no apparent reason, you have nothing to worry about.

Except the motor. That's the only realistic soft spot. Focus your attention there.

As to " I also learned that I don't ever want another I/O or Bowrider boat ever again. " Amen! A convert!

 

[Burro237]

Re: Newb looking at an older Boston Whaler to buy, any advice?

Its an 18ft Dauntless. I came very, very close to pulling the trigger on a new 19ft Nautic Star XS, but then I saw a BW Dauntless, and me and the wife kind of fell in love. Kind of like the perfect set up for our situation Can't afford new, but started hunting the adds to look at some local used ones.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Newb looking at an older Boston Whaler to buy, any advice?

grab it.

 

[JB]

Re: Newb looking at an older Boston Whaler to buy, any advice?

BW doesn't use wood any more that I know of. Since about the middle '90 (I think) they have used Richlite Whaleboard to back up screws, etc. That stuff is indestructible. Not sure about the transom, but I have never heard of a bad transom on a whaler. . .even one 60 years old.

There are a lot of myths about BW. One is that water can mysteriously invade the CLOSED CELL foam core. I have had two whalers that had major breaches in the outer hull that POs plainly ignored. I was able to drain and dry them back to OEM weight pretty easily. The water that did get in simply pooled in voids and between the core and outer hull.

I do agree with the notion that, barring fire or physical destruction, Whaler hulls last forever.

 

[saumon]

Re: Newb looking at an older Boston Whaler to buy, any advice?

You say the engine is a mid-2000's model. What HP and year? 2004 was the transition year from FICHT to E-Tec and both were produced that year. E-Tec's are almost unanimously praised while FICHT are almost unanimously hated...

 

[Burro237]

Re: Newb looking at an older Boston Whaler to buy, any advice?

its a 2003 Evinrude. Anyone know if that was a good year for the 18ft Dauntless? I've heard that BW has changed the designs a couple times since 98