Are Boston Whalers as prone to waterlogging as other boats?

[Beagleville]

They are known to be well built and "unsinkable" and usually are pretty expensive, but are Whalers as prone to waterlogged foam as any other older fiberglass boat? A 1995 Dauntless has caught my eye but man, I just don't know about that waterlogging issue.

 

[robert graham]

That’s the first I’ve heard of it….mostly they last for decades….guess that’s the reason for their cult- like following and prices$$$

 

[ahicks]

Wouldn't be the first I've heard of. Weigh it.

 

[racerone]

Saw one ( 18' ) about 8 years ago , water logged.------Took the 100 HP motor off it.----I think the boat went into one of those tub grinders , made into little pieces.----Yes just like other boat , car , appliance companies the promotion is often better than the product.-----Many folks will find that out with the electric vehicles in my opinion.

 

[tpenfield]

. . . If the floor or hull were to crack, then yes . . . water will get into the foam to some extent over time. As to how much, it is anyone's guess.

Otherwise, it is all good, as the boats are a fiberglass/foam 'sandwich' making them strong and floaty . . .

 

[airshot]

Usually the water comes from some hull damage that went on without repair. Unfortunately hulls can be repaired long after the damage so you will never know. Ask the owner if he will subject the boat to a marine survey, they sometimes go in thru the drain plug hoke and take a core sample for testing and have saw in years past they actually drill thru a deck to get a core sample, then repair/ seal it back up!! Yep....who wants hokes drilled into their boat, but for a thorough inspection it must be done. Another method is to get a factory weight and weight then get a weight on the boat your interested in. If you can find a good one they are great boats !!

 

[Scott Danforth]

once the foam is saturated with water, it is no longer unsinkable and you can not dry the foam out.

weigh the boat. I can tell you that a new whaler will weigh within 5# of the spec weight as delivered dry (based on weighing tenders for use on a yacht)

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Whalers are over priced crap,.... I've seen many that folks put seats, or whatnot into 'em, 'n drilled holes in the skin,....
Next thing ya know, it's saturated,....

Friend found a 14"er, 'n bought it, as it was clean as a whistle,....
Put a brand new 40 hp merc on it, 'n it was a pig,....
Had me look it over to see why it was a dog,....
I had it pulled, 'n weighed,...... over 800 lbs over spec,....

Worst yet, due to their construction, they're Not rebuildable,....

You couldn't pay me enough to take a Whaler,....

 

[jimmbo]

BW used to use a lot of Balsa Wood in it's Boats. I guess it too can absorb water

 

[mr 88]

A lot of haters on here. Go to Facebook, Everything Boston Whaler , you will get honest answers there. Yes 99 % of Whalers have some sort of water in the foam . It's not the end of the world .

 

[JimS123]

It is my understanding that waterlogged hulls are due to damage of some sort or someone drilling holes and not sealing them. Regardless, a "little" water isn't the end of the world. Remember that they are constructed without stringers (no wood at all) so rotten innards is never part of the problem.

I also understand that current manufacturing methods are superior to what they did 20+ years ago, so newer boats don't carry the same stigma.

After owning more boats than I can remember, we bought a Whaler 6 seasons ago. Once you ride in one you'll never look at another brand. The performance is awesome. Fly thru a heavy chop and you'll think you're in a much bigger boat. The low fuel consumption is hard to believe.

If you're looking at a center console, competitive brands are cheaper, for sure, but the upcharge is not significant in my mind. You get what you pay for. Plus, trade in value is extremely high.

 

[jimmbo]

Whaler is very good boat. Our Fish and Wildlife dept uses them almost exclusively. Even the 13 footers can handle surprisingly rough water.

 

[mr 88]

BW used to use a lot of Balsa Wood in it's Boats. I guess it too can absorb water

Nope . They did not use balsa wood. You can have 150 lbs of water in a 13 ' and never know it .

 

[jimmbo]

Yes they did.

 

[JimS123]

According to the History of Whaler, right after college **** Fisher began building small light weight boats out of Balsa wood. In the 1950's when poly foam was invented, he began experimenting building skiffs with foam cores. When he perfected the hull design he began marketing his boats as Boston Whaler.

So, the answer is yes, the inventor used balsa wood, and no, none were named Boston Whaler.

 

[jimmbo]

Reviews of Whalers in the 70s always mentioned Balsa being used in the Boats

 

[Sprig]

People think that because whalers are basically double hulled that they can’t become waterlogged or the flotation saturated. That just isn’t so. Through a hole or crack water can get between the hulls and saturate the foam.

 

[jimmbo]

Complete foaming of the Hull to the Deck has been happening for over 60 yrs. OMC was doing to their boats back in the early 60s, and I doubt they were the first

 

[mr 88]

I have seen Whalers motoring along in the Caribbean with parts of there sides missing / ripped off . Closed cell foam doesn't " absorb " water until a cell is compromised ,either from the hull pounding on it to screw holes and whatever else smacks the hull. Unless the hull is stupid heavy as in the waterline is 2 + inches or so above the original line everyone just runs them . Yes you can drill a couple holes in it and let it drain for as long as you want but most of the water isn't coming out once it gets in the foam it stays there.

 

[jimmbo]

Put a very strong Shop Vacuum over the Holes with a good seal, and let it run for a few days, maybe weeks, that might remove the water from the foam