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I am currently in the market for a used boat and my Wife and I have been doing some research and narrowing down our selection. Still learning the boating language so apologies firstly for my ignorance.
We were looking for something that we could cruise in, spend nights in, long weekends and maybe a week, enjoy with family and friends, fish (we are not serious anglers yet!) and just general everyday use in the Pacific.
We are hoping that it will be moored so we do not have to launch every time we use it and would be available all year round.
The Boston Whaler 305 Conquest seems to have ticked all of our boxes but we are still open to suggestions, my wife loves the interior cabin, it is spacious enough for us for now and she would not really want to go any smaller.
There are a few for sale up here on the West coast of Canada ranging from 2005 to 2008, and judging by the prices they seem to hold the value pretty good.
The smaller Boston Whalers have always been in the family so i guess we are a little biased towards them.
A couple of questions
Have there been any design changes from 2005 2008/9 that we should be aware of?
Are there anythings that are a real must have?
Is there anything to really watch for? (Before i made a commitment i would have it professionally inspected)
What do you think of the details of the boat below up for $134K?
I do not really have anyone i know that is familiar with this size of Whaler so thought i would ask the enthusiasts / experts.
If anyone is willing to have me send them a few links of boats we are looking at to give us there opinion it would be greatly appreciated.
Here is one of them:
2005 Boston Whaler Conquest with twin 250HP Mercury Verados that only have 300 hours on them.
Has the 4KW Kohler diesel Generator, curtain package and all available options plus fresh bottom paint and a full detailing.
Depthsounder - NorthStar 491 black box with 1 kw transducer new 2007
Fishfiner - Lowrance HDS-7 fishfinder/plotter with structure scan new 2011
Plotter - NorthStar 6000i new 2007
Autopilot - TR-1 with handheld remote new 2007
Compass
GPS - NorthStar 6000i new 2007
VHF - Icom M422 new 2007
Radar - 1942 Furuno 64 mile with 4' open array new 2007
CD player - Clarion stereo
Downriggers - Scotty 1106 new 2011.
I absolutely love our 06 305 – with the exception of an improperly sealed deck plate (which Whaler promptly fixed), the boat and motors have been flawless. It is perfect for my family of 5 and the kids love the mid berth (they are still “little” enough to all fit very comfortably). We have overnighted several times and have always been comfortable (the AC/Heat does an incredible job..) and it has plenty of room for fishing, entertaining, etc.
Based on the options and engine hours (plus a trailer), the price seems very fair in my opinion.
With 05 Verado’s, make sure the FSM(s) have been replaced and all updates have been performed. At 300 hours they are also due for scheduled maintenance (if not already done).
The design and options have not changed that much over the years – its mostly been creature comfort items like the entertainment package/iPod hook up and direct fresh water hookup – Whaler also started using Panda generators, but I believe has switched back to Kohler.
Only objections: 1)I am 6’ tall and the top of the windshield cuts/splits my view when standing and 2) wish it had a bow thruster (more of a nice to have, than need to have)
Good Luck. Feel free to send me the link if you want.