1968 Boston Whaler 13

[JBooth]

I got a good deal on a 68 13' whaler. It is a bit of a project but not to bad. I was wondering, before I buy, if a '05 15 hp Johnson would be a sufficient outboard for this boat. I normally fish with one other person and would like to be able to move 25mph+ due to distance. Will I be able to reach this? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, John

 

[steelespike]

Re: 1968 Boston Whaler 13

No I don't think 25 is possible with 2 and gear.Is it a 2 stroke or 4 stroke do you know the gear ratio?You can figure gear ratio by pulling the plugs,Put a mark on the flywheel and count turns of flywheel till the prop goes around once. probably be about 2 times. My research came up with 2.00,2.42 and
1.92 ratios,so you'll have to look carefully.
The 15 might do 25 with one and a light reasonably fast boat.
With very careful setup and minimum load you might get 20 or 21.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 1968 Boston Whaler 13

We used to run 40 hp on those things back in the 'old' days. 15 hp would be way light. It is a heavy boat, but with enough power (30 hp +) it will get out of the water and fly.

 

[JBooth]

Re: 1968 Boston Whaler 13

Thats what I was afraid of. I have it on a 15 foot jon boat that weighs 275-320lB alone. Fully loaded (450-600lb depending on who I take) it will run 27-31 mph. The Whaler is shorter and wider. The Johnson is two stroke...not sure on the gear ratio.

 

[JB]

Re: 1968 Boston Whaler 13

A Boston Whaler Sport 13 (console steering) is rated for up to 40HP but performs very well with a JohnnyRude 25. Mine would cruise at 23-25 with three aboard.

As a tiller boat, however, the max HP rating is 20HP. You might get 20mph if she is properly rigged.

Of course she is heavy compared to a tinny or a jon. She is not a light skiff, she is a serious fishing boat. I have seen them 5 miles out in the Gulf Stream.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 1968 Boston Whaler 13

Didn't you see me wave at you??
I have had a 40 on mine for many years, but I started out with an 18 on it when I was a boy. It would scoot along with the 18, but both me and the hull were lighter then.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 1968 Boston Whaler 13

I still have my '64. Grew up with the original 18 and it was fine. did some skiiing but then I ws a skinny 14 year old. Recently replaced with a merc 200 and it's still right fast.

Growing up, though, the guys with the 33 did great. Now, if I had the choice, i'd rig with a 25 for general purposes, 40 for speed and skiing. All of course with a console.

Originally, with the 18, we'd leave the plug out at night and it was self bailing. No battery; 6 gallons gas amidships. KISS

The 15 will be ok for putting around and you should get on a plane solo. They were often rigged with 9.9's for utility use.

 

[JB]

Re: 1968 Boston Whaler 13

Didn't you see me wave at you??

Was that you? Did you have 2 young girls and a wife with you? I remember heaving to to watch one of the girls fight a schoolie mahi mahi that thought it could fly.

Of course that was 1984, so maybe it wasn't you.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 1968 Boston Whaler 13

Was that you? Did you have 2 young girls and a wife with you? I remember heaving to to watch one of the girls fight a schoolie mahi mahi that thought it could fly.

Of course that was 1984, so maybe it wasn't you.

No, I was still in college in 84. Much more lake fishing and Intercoastal stuff in C. Fla then. Did the "near stream" stuff off West Palm in 87-90. Of course the blue water can be right on shore there.....big Wahoo, little boat. :facepalm:
The little Whaler can normally take much rougher seas than the operator can take. It's like riding on a cooler top with a motor...and about as comfortable and wet as riding on one......