Old Whaler

[DAQ]

13' Whalers are excellent little boats, specially for a first boat. They are easy to trailer, unload, load, maneuver and maintain. Also, there is very little that can go wrong with them.

The 13' Whaler is also a very capable little boat that would serve you well in a bay or outside if weather permits. Heck a fellow board member took a mid 60" tuna in his this year.

They are also a great boat if you want your kids to learn how to handle a boat. Even the smallest kid can see over the front of a 13' Whaler.

If the boat was trailered all of it's life waterlogged foam is probably not an issue. If the boat was soaked there might be a problem but not necessarily so.

As for price it all depends on the set up. A base hull with tiller steering could go for around $2000 where as an SS with a newer 4 stroke might go as high as 5.5-6k.

If I were to pick up another boat 18' or under I would look at a Whaler.

[fishfood]

Originally Posted by DAQ

If the boat was trailered all of it's life waterlogged foam is probably not an issue.

I've actually heard that foam hulled boats generally don't get waterlogged from sitting in the water... it's sitting in backyards soaking up rainwater that gets them.

[JayR]

Originally Posted by Chief2

choptank is absolutely right. These boats are HORRIBLY notorious for retaining water on older models.

That is one large load of misinformation.
Whalers have been known to take on water but it is an exception not the rule.

I have own 5 Whalers, all 20+ years or older, the oldest being 42 years old.Not one of them had any water in them.

Like any boat beat to hell and not taken care of,expect problems in those cases but a well maintained hull will outlast most peoples lifetimes.

Personally,I think I the ride of the older hulls is reason enough to stay away. I credit my Montauk with being reponsibile for all my spinal problems. Hardriding is an understatement.

The 20 foot and larger hulls were not as bad,in fact better than most rides.

BUT the waterlogged BS is just that, BS>>>>>>>

[VOVO]

Pick up the boat for short money you said he was trying to get rid of it. He probably would rather see you and your children enjoy the boat and if it doesn't work out after the 1st season you can always throw the motor on a aluminum durantic and use the trailer and cut up the whaler if it is waterlogged.