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Whaler 27 Full Cabin Removal
Islander67	#1  Posted on 10/31/19 - 11:10 AM
Member Posts: 14 Comments: 0 Joined: 10/16/19	Has anyone removed a 27 full cabin and converted to an open boat/center console? I am looking at a boat to convert but want to make sure gunwales would be intact once the cabin was removed. Not sure if the cabin is just an added feature .
biggiefl	#2  Posted on 11/01/19 - 6:50 AM
Member Posts: 890 Comments: 4 Joined: 05/08/06	I think it is impossible to do but I also think you should look at the boat in person because it might be a moot point once you see it. 24 Whalers so far....
Islander67	#3  Posted on 11/02/19 - 6:23 AM
Member Posts: 14 Comments: 0 Joined: 10/16/19	Yes. May be more trouble than it is worth. Just curious whether anyone had successfully done. Finding an older open 27 is not too easy to come by. Would ideally like to find an Offshore 27.
gchuba	#4  Posted on 11/02/19 - 9:39 AM
Member Posts: 1675 Comments: 0 Joined: 03/31/13	Several years ago I acquired a hard top and framework from a 27' mid 80's Whaler that was located at Moss Landing CA. The owner has a wholesale fish business and a small fleet of 27' Whalers (5 or 6 as I recall). He operates all his boats as center consoles. My hardtop was from a cabined boat he acquired and did the cabin removal /conversion (his boats were all red dots/govt.). He showed me the boat it came off of and I could not tell that there was a cabin ever on it. Then again, he had an open commercial check book going to various auctions and the such getting the specific 27' hulls he desired. He told me there was a lot of below deck fish storage lockers. I do not know if customized or standard for that hull. I know it can be done but the framework I picked up (the hard top itself I sold.....way too heavy for my boat) fit my 22' 1979 Revenge with some minor modifications. I love the cuddy cabin for storage and ride. I did fabricate (with a metal working friend) a higher bow rail to make the bow accessible without going through the hatch and a kinda walk around feature. Anything is possible with a boat.
Islander67	#5  Posted on 11/02/19 - 3:41 PM
Member Posts: 14 Comments: 0 Joined: 10/16/19	Thanks for the info. I agree and have done several mods on other boats. Would have to believe there is a complete gunnel under the cabin and cap as the main structure.
JRP	#6  Posted on 11/03/19 - 1:14 PM
Member Posts: 755 Comments: 2 Joined: 08/29/14	I think you would be miles ahead by starting with something like this instead: https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/bo...13138.html 19 Outrage II (1992)
gchuba	#7  Posted on 11/04/19 - 7:05 AM
Member Posts: 1675 Comments: 0 Joined: 03/31/13	I recall chatting with Chuck Bennett at Whaler before he retired. He said the cabins were "plopped" on Outrage hulls from the factory with no modifications to the hulls. The decks were identical. The step down cavity in the hull for the cabins was a under deck locker for the Outrage. I believe he also said that Whaler installed a bilge pump in that area. What held the cabin on was a seem inside the cabin where the hardware was hidden by a trim piece.
Joe Kriz	#8  Posted on 11/04/19 - 10:30 AM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11434 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	The 27' models were never called an Outrage model. https://www.whalercentral.com/userpho...lbum_id=64 Only the 25' and below models were named using Outrage so Chuck might not have been referring to the 27' models.
Islander67	#9  Posted on 11/04/19 - 12:48 PM
Member Posts: 14 Comments: 0 Joined: 10/16/19	Thanks both of you for your input. Gchuba, if that is correct, that is exactly what I was hoping to hear. The floor I can deal with but having a finished gunnel would be ideal
Joe Kriz	#10  Posted on 11/04/19 - 1:04 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11434 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	Like you mentioned above; 1st would be an Offshore 27' 2nd might be a 27' Walkaround WD https://www.whalercentral.com/userpho...lbum_id=64 Or the 27' CC Cuddy that JRP mentions above in post #6
Islander67	#11  Posted on 11/04/19 - 2:22 PM
Member Posts: 14 Comments: 0 Joined: 10/16/19	Yes, exactly. And I like projects and the one I am speaking of is a very good deal and I am tempted to take it on. I would have a walk around/offshore when it is all said and done
gchuba	#12  Posted on 11/04/19 - 11:26 PM
Member Posts: 1675 Comments: 0 Joined: 03/31/13	Joe, You are quite correct. When chatting with Chuck about this several years ago we were referencing the Outrages and Revenges. Length of all the hulls never was brought up. However, I did see that 27' red dot/govt model that was a conversion and it was a clean looking vessel. I could only assume that for production reasons..........putting a cabin on a 27' would follow a similar path. As a fellow who only fished his Whaler for a couple of years and now has 4 years sitting on my driveway as I find time between boats and work to work on it..........I hope the fellow knows the volume of work he is getting into.
Islander67	#13  Posted on 11/05/19 - 5:59 AM
Member Posts: 14 Comments: 0 Joined: 10/16/19	I have done conversions on other boats but not a Whaler and modified and done extensive glass and gelcoat work. It is not beyond my scope but just trying to familiarize myself with the construction methods of the different 27 models. I appreciate all of the input, as it is a very valuable resource.