Boston whaler

One Caveat: don't dare drill into the hull to attach accessories or BW will void the hull warranty. This includes ski tow bars, hand rails, and even boat cover fasteners. Best to spec everything from the factory, or attach your additional accessories to pieces that are not part of the hull.

This is probably overkill on BW's part even though the boat is so over-engineered that it can be cut in half and each piece will still float:

 

I'm familiar with BW, my Dad is a fan and owned several........ Great rough water boats. Yes, very solid thud VS rattles when it gets rough.

 

My fathers first BW was in the early 1980's. A 22 Revenge with twin Mercury 150's. It was like this one: https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/nvn/boa/d/boston-whaler-22-revenge/6491137285.html I miss it even today, it was an awesome machine. Felt like a bigger boat size wise even in rough ocean seas. I'm not surprised they hold value even decades on.

 

This is because the foam is ultamitly porous. Yes it’s a closed cell foam but it will absorb water over time, thus adding weight to the boat.

 

I have a 2005 320 Outrage. It's as solid as new. Not a rattle in it. Really a well made boat.

You're 350 is miles ahead of mine. enjoy and congratulations!

 

Are you saying Boston Whalers will absorb water ? As in its a reason to not buy one ?

I’ve never heard that and always liked them.

MDS

 

If you hole them, drill holes etc. through the GRP and don't repair them properly, i.e. allow a route for the water to get into the foam, then my understanding is closed cell foam will absorb water over time (it takes some time mind you). I have first hand experience of this on another boat.

That said, a well maintained boat there should be no problems. I also like Boston Whalers. We had them as instructor boats when I was a teenager teaching sailing. They took a huge amount of abuse without any problem.

Is the above a reason not to buy one? Not in my opinion. Most all GRP boats have a limited amount of closed cell foam in them, generally to help shape longitudinal/frames etc. I'd certainly consider one if I was looking for a boat in that size range; they are cool boats.

 

Which explains why little used Whalers retain their value so well (i.e. not cheap).

 

No kidding. A 13' foot boat from the '70s will go for $5k.

 

You can't beat a whaler! I have a 2015 Boston Whaler 170 Dauntless, I bought new and I cannot say enough good things about her. I have hundreds of hours on her now and in all sorts of conditions. She is built like a pocket sized Destroyer. The quality and the workmanship is exceptional. Most importantly, the hull is profoundly rigid. No matter what kind of pounding she takes, you never feel any resonance or flexing in the hull. You can trust a whaler to get you home every time and in any condition. As long as you do your job, she will do hers. It's a really special boat and worth every bit of the premium you pay. Like you, I cannot conceive of owning another make of powerboat.

 

This is not accurate. Whaler’s proprietary closed cell foam will never absorb water. Boats built in the 60’s and early 70’s though, this is not the case as the foam technology hadn’t advanced yet to make it completely impervious. Many older 13’s, 16’s and 17’s are “heavy”.

Whaler makes two different types of boats - the Super Sport, Montauk and Dauntless are all one piece hull/deck/gunwale and Outrage, Vantage, Conquest and Realm are one piece hull with deck/gunwale/cabin structure added as separate components. Regardless, as LarryH points out, the foam is pressure injected into the hull and liner molds as the fiberglass is curing creating a true one piece hull of fiberglass-foam-fiberglass. That’s why Whaler calls it “Unibond”. The strength is unmatched. I have seen Whalers sustain ridiculous amounts of hull damage and still be driven home.