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Looking to Purchase project whaler
gettinthere	#1  Posted on 08/02/21 - 8:45 AM
Member Posts: 4 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/02/21	New to this forum but I am an active user on other forums. I was told this where to go for all things whaler. I have owned boats for the last 25 years and have been eyeing a semi abandoned Whaler that is in the canal near me in S. Florida. It is sitting in the water and I assume the bottom was painted at some point but you can tell the boat hasn't moved in years. The bottom is covered in growth and the lower unit while tilted up is covered as well. Its hard to tell the model how its docked, but it seems to be a mid 1990s outrage 18 w/ a Yamaha SWS II 150. Boat seems to be in pretty good condition otherwise. What I was wondering was if there is anything hull wise I should be worried about. I have heard about the foam getting water logged, any easy ways to check? Fuel tank issues? Looking to knock on their door and offer them a few thousand for it. Just wanted to make sure I am not getting into something ill regret. Thank you for your help! Frank
Phil T	#2  Posted on 08/02/21 - 8:54 AM
Administrator Personal Page Personal Album Project Albums Posts: 6994 Comments: 6 Joined: 03/26/05	Look at the waterline on the transom. Is it below, at or above the drain tubes? Inspect the drain tubes. Inspect the deck and hull for penetrations into the foam. Expect you will need to replace the tank (1K) and hoses. Possibly repair the fuel tank cover. Edited by Phil T on 08/02/21 - 8:55 AM 1992 Outrage 17 I 2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+ 2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT
gettinthere	#3  Posted on 08/02/21 - 12:01 PM
Member Posts: 4 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/02/21	Thank you Phil, Ill keep an eye out for those details.
Finnegan	#4  Posted on 08/03/21 - 1:08 AM
Member Posts: 1926 Comments: 16 Joined: 05/02/08	Believe me, you are getting into something you will regret! At least if your description is correct. I know these boats well. I bought one new in 1986, and still have it. You will need to invest hundreds of hours and maybe 20K into a restoration like that, to have a nice family recreational boat. When looking for an old Whaler to restore into a nice boat, buy the best condition boat you can find. The cheapest is almost always a bad decision. As you have probably seen, there are many half completed "project" boats on the market, where the seller got in over his head, both time wise and financially. If you want an Outrage 18, expect to pay 10-20K for a reasonably nice one.
mtown	#5  Posted on 08/03/21 - 1:29 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 609 Comments: 5 Joined: 07/06/08	There is nothing wrong with saving a classic whaler. Being left in the water makes the possibility of some wet foam a larger possibility but as Phil stated, look at the water line. If you have a place to work on it yourself it can be worth while doing it. I do not post much here, but I have done some pretty major surgical repairs to a couple whalers and what most quote as labor and material costs are way over what I ended up spending. I own a 1985 18' outrage and love the boat. It is not one I have done any real repair to though.