OT: Boston Whaler

[anon1758050382]

I'm considering restoring a vintage Boston Whaler, perhaps a 17' side console.

Does anyone have any experience doing this? Any advice or resources you can recommend?

 

[Jeffreauxdawg]

Thought you were going to be bragging about bagging a fat chick at a Red Sox game.

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

I grew up on the Long Island Sound and there were always a bunch of Boston Whalers. The old ones were excellent boats.

 

[anon1758050382]

Thought you were going to be bragging about bagging a fat chick at a Red Sox game.

 

[Darryl Steight]

I'm considering restoring a vintage Boston Whaler, perhaps a 17' side console.

Does anyone have any experience doing this? Any advice or resources you can recommend?

Sitting here wondering if someone has finally unearthed one single random topic in 20+ years that SPSers have no knowledge of and cannot actually contribute to... This one will be interesting.

 

[patdog]

Sitting here wondering if someone has finally unearthed one single random topic in 20+ years that SPSers have no knowledge of and cannot actually contribute to... This one will be interesting.

Since when has that ever stopped any of us?

 

[Car Ramrod.sixpack]

Only if you run it like these two. If you don't know who they are google "Blue Top Legends"

Also Check out microskiff.com there is a good community centered around small boats. There are several repair and build threads.

 

[thatsbaseball]

Sitting here wondering if someone has finally unearthed one single random topic in 20+ years that SPSers have no knowledge of and cannot actually contribute to... This one will be interesting.

Just give it a bit. He'll not only learn how to rebuild his boat, he'll find out he's somehow a political extremist for owning one.

 

[horshack.sixpack]

I'm considering restoring a vintage Boston Whaler, perhaps a 17' side console.

Does anyone have any experience doing this? Any advice or resources you can recommend?

The last time I restored a 17' side console...nevermind...

 

[Howiefeltersnstch]

Any specifics on what you are looking for ? Mechanical stuff or fiberglass repair ?

 

[anon1758050382]

Any specifics on what you are looking for ? Mechanical stuff or fiberglass repair ?

I'm looking for everything. I don't even have a hull yet. I assume there is a lot of info out there. I'm curious if anyone who has gone through the process has insight on what was the most helpful.

 

[Bulldogbilly]

My two bits: Saw a beautiful, old Whaler this week in Gulf Shores. Awesome.

If I were doing it, would be considering a center console. They look better to me. Personal preference.

If you need fiberglass repair, and are close to Lower Alabama, Coastal Fiberglass in Foley is in a class by itself. Unfortunately I know from experience.

 

[biodawg]

I'm considering restoring a vintage Boston Whaler, perhaps a 17' side console.

Does anyone have any experience doing this? Any advice or resources you can recommend?

Might have some luck asking over on the tigerdroppings outdoor board too. Seems like there is a boat thread over there nearly every day.

 

[Dawgbite]

I’ve restored a couple of antique boats but never a Whaler. I have a 57 Duracraft on the back burner now but its an all aluminum boat. I’m not sure how much wood is in a Whaler but most manufacturers up until recently used wood stringers and wood transoms. That’s the weak point of any fiberglass boat. Fiberglass repairs aren’t very difficult as a DIY. I misspoke saying I restored boats , I refurbished them. I like old boats with new modern four stroke engines. It’s a fun hobby, I’ve done automobiles and boats are a lot less involved.

 

[Dawgbite]

There is a Boston Whaler jet drive on FB marketplace in Savanna Tn that peaks my interest. It’s in good shape and it’s incredibly cheap because everyone is scared of the jet drive, OMC engine. You won’t see another one on the lake though.

 

[greenbean.sixpack]

I'm considering restoring a vintage Boston Whaler, perhaps a 17' side console.

Does anyone have any experience doing this? Any advice or resources you can recommend?

SPSers are party barge people.

 

[PK Dawg]

I'm considering restoring a vintage Boston Whaler, perhaps a 17' side console.

Does anyone have any experience doing this? Any advice or resources you can recommend?

Please do, and I’d love to follow along

 

[mcdawg22]

Don’t know where you are taking it but I heard flat bottom whalers are pretty bumpy in choppy water. If you are taking it in open water I’d opt for a v hull. Other than that I’ve heard great things about whalers.

 

[anon1758050382]

Don’t know where you are taking it but I heard flat bottom whalers are pretty bumpy in choppy water. If you are taking it in open water I’d opt for a v hull. Other than that I’ve heard great things about whalers.

Good point. Where I would be gets pretty choppy on busy days. But there are some quiet spots to enjoy a smaller boat.

 

[Howiefeltersnstch]

I'm sure you know already but those are 2 part hulls with spray foam in between. It's not one solid hull.

 

[Dawgbite]

I still remember the print add of the Boston Whaler cut in half and a guy standing on each half and it’s still floating. It was in every boating magazine back in the day.

 

[SwampDawg]

I'm considering restoring a vintage Boston Whaler, perhaps a 17' side console.

Does anyone have any experience doing this? Any advice or resources you can recommend?

At a time in my life when my job was stressing me to the max, I restored an old sailboat, learning as I restored. It was fantastic mental therapy.

 

[SemillaHombre]

I owned a 17' center console Boston whaler for 3 years while living in HI (2011-2014). The Hull was made in 1976 but the console was replaced in the 90s. It was an awesome boat. Flat bottom so I could run it over the reef at high tide but also stable enough to bring it off shore in seas under 5-6 foot (just bring a pair of goggles to keep the salt spray out of you eyes). Got caught off shore a few times in some bigger seas than I needed to be in but I just took my time getting back in and was fine. Only improvements I made to it was to add some electronics and lights which included removing/replacing all the old wiring. Boat was pretty easy to work on. Only watch out is to make sure the hull or deck isn't cracked. There were a couple whalers running out of the same Island I was on that had cracks/leaks. The hulls are foam filled making the boat "unsinkable" but a leak can water log that foam and make it very heavy. Good luck

 

[Darryl Steight]

I knew you boys would come through. Good stuff, SPS.