1. Use the full 4 digit year for everything you are asking your question about. Example: 1962, 1988, 2000, 2011
2. Include the correct name of your Whaler model. Example: Montauk 17, Montauk 170, Outrage 26, Outrage 260
3. Include the length when necessary. Example: 16, 17, 18, 20, 22
4. Do not post your email address anywhere on this site as it is already in your user profile.

Compare 13 ft. Whalers
airwright	#1  Posted on 01/21/09 - 7:30 PM
Member Posts: 1 Comments: 0 Joined: 01/20/09	Hi, I'm looking at two different 13 ft. Whalers that I'm going to use for lake fishing and river fishing, primarily by myself. One Whaler candidate has a forty hp outboard and has a center console and seat that appear a bit too tall and large for a 13 ft. Whaler. They appear to me that they would be more appropriate for a 15 or 17 ft. boat. The other Whaler is very clean and has a 25 hp outboard with standard bench seating. So, my question is: will the first one be tippy or topsy-turvy with the tall seat and console (I'm a pretty good size guy)? And for the second boat: Is the 25 hp an OK motor for this boat? I don't want to win any races but want the boat to run on a good plane. All advice will be appreciated. Edited by Tom W Clark on 01/22/09 - 9:09 AM
Tom W Clark	#2  Posted on 01/21/09 - 7:42 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 4280 Comments: 7 Joined: 09/30/05	25 HP on a classic Sport 13 is excellent power. It will plane four adults easily. If this boat has its original configuration and all other things are equal, it is the best choice. Edited by Tom W Clark on 01/21/09 - 7:53 PM
BAY2SAV	#3  Posted on 01/21/09 - 7:45 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 93 Comments: 0 Joined: 06/24/07	Having a 13' Sport with a 25hp 4-stroke, I concur with Tom's remarks. Denny 1972 13' Sport Smirked Hull and Blue Interior Nissan 25hp 4-stroke
CES	#4  Posted on 01/21/09 - 8:00 PM
Member Personal Page Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 2681 Comments: 7 Joined: 04/27/07	Ok, I am going to go against the general consensus to this point. As you say you are a "pretty good sized guy" I can only assume that you are larger than the standard 170lb man that the government defines as "average sized". With that in mind, I think a 25hp would be too small for you. In fact, I feel the 25 would leave you yearning for more power as it may seem large enough for you and your purposes at the moment, after you get used to the boat....you'll wish you had more power. For a 13', it is usually a good idea to go with the 40hp motor as it will provide you with more versatility and options for use of your boat. As for the 13 being "topsy turvy", the 13' is an incredibly stable boat that will not tip from one side to the other as easily as other boats of similar proportions would do. Cliff 1966 13' Sport with a 1993 40hp Yamaha 2 Smoker
Tom W Clark	#5  Posted on 01/21/09 - 8:09 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 4280 Comments: 7 Joined: 09/30/05	Four 170 pound adults weigh 680 pounds. I agree that if airwright weighs 680 pounds or more, then a 25 HP motor will not be adequate. However, if airwright weighs 680 pounds or more, he has no business standing up in a 13 foot Whaler. In fact I am not sure he should be in a 13 foot Whaler at all ;-) But seriously, the motor can be swapped out. The best choice will be based on the Whaler's condition, condition, condition. Stock Whalers are worth a hell of a lot more than funky, modified bare hulls. Edited by Tom W Clark on 01/21/09 - 8:10 PM
Binkie	#6  Posted on 01/22/09 - 2:40 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 2012 Comments: 0 Joined: 12/19/05	!I`m in agreement with both of Tom`s posts. I have had two 13 footers over the years. My current one has a 25 4 stroke, and the one I had years ago had a 25 2 stroke. Both of them would run at 28-30 mph with me alone, I`m 215 lbs, although the 2 stroke had more torque. My daughter`s 13 footer has a 40 hp 2 stroke, and although it will run in the high 30`s its unneeded power, and a really rough riding boat. Although I love fast boats, the 13 footer with its hooked bottom is no speed boat anyway, and not designed for that purpose. There are so many 13 foot Whalers that have been modified (butchered) by owners with ridiculous oversize center consoles. If you are a big man why would you want to have to move around a huge center console anyway. Buy the stock boat, its worth more money too. The ideal 13 footer will have a 25hp 2 stroke OMC that weighs about 105lbs. that was what the boat was designed for, but unfortunately isn`t available anymore new. Rich
moose	#7  Posted on 01/22/09 - 6:01 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 543 Comments: 1 Joined: 03/07/07	As stated, the 13 is an incredibly stable boat FOR ITS SIZE. If fishing is your goal, and not resale, a center console might suit you more than stepping over seats to move around. I leave the forward seat out of mine for more space. My other boat is a cc and I use it more because of the moving room for fishing. If you can, I'd recommend putting each in the water for a sea trial before deciding. If you're alone most of the time I'm sure the 25 is adequate. I seldom fish or boat alone and love the 40 hp. Let us know what you decide. Either is a great boat. Mike
burtim	#8  Posted on 01/22/09 - 7:09 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 178 Comments: 0 Joined: 02/10/08	This brings up an interesting point. My boat is newer (2001) and has the 40 hp 2 stroke. I can get 3 adults up on plane without problem. I have noticed it to be difficult to get 4 adults up to speed as Tom Clark had suggested it should do without difficulty. The 25 HP weighs so much less that I tend to think it would actually do a better job with the increased load of 4 people over 3 versus the 40 horse. On flat water, with two in the boat, the 40 horse is alot of fun though!
Binkie	#9  Posted on 01/22/09 - 7:42 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 2012 Comments: 0 Joined: 12/19/05	The newer 13 footers weigh a ton. Too much weight for a 25 to push around with more than one person. Rich
jsb91010	#10  Posted on 01/22/09 - 12:08 PM
Member Posts: 128 Comments: 0 Joined: 05/01/08	i'd say get whatever boat is in better shape, then put a bigger engine on it!!!!...my 13 only goes 30-31mph with my 35hp johnson pushing it...I want to go faster already i mean...besides...i don't want anyone beating me to the honey hole
burtim	#11  Posted on 01/22/09 - 12:16 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 178 Comments: 0 Joined: 02/10/08	"The newer 13 footers weigh a ton. Too much weight for a 25 to push around with more than one person." Any theories on what the real cause of all this weight is?
Tom W Clark	#12  Posted on 01/22/09 - 12:35 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 4280 Comments: 7 Joined: 09/30/05	Any theories on what the real cause of all this weight is? The newer 13 footers are bigger.
JJorgensen52	#13  Posted on 02/05/09 - 12:36 PM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 9 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/17/08	The newer hulls are much deeper, their hull profile is more like a 15 or a 17 than the classic 13s. They also have a flat floor = more foam. IIRC, they weigh something like 635 lbs dry?
moose	#14  Posted on 02/06/09 - 7:56 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 543 Comments: 1 Joined: 03/07/07	One thing not mentioned that I just thought of is if you are a big guy, sitting on a seat as low as a sport 13 has and cruising for a while will be very uncomfortable. I'm 5'9" and I don't like to ride for very far sitting that low, especially without a back rest. Binkie and others have raised their seats to the top of the side rails for comfort. Go sit in both and see what you think. Mike
carvendive	#15  Posted on 02/09/09 - 11:58 AM
Member Posts: 5 Comments: 0 Joined: 10/22/08	Regarding Heavier / lighter... Also keep in mind that the older whalers core material absorbed water. I have mine (13' with a 35 hp Johnson 2cycle 3 cyl) on a transom fork that's rated for up to 1000#. Because of the weight consideration I had mine weighed. Motor, 6 gal of gas, battery, boat cover the works. 825#. Myself and my wife are both overweight. The gas tank and battery are in the rear of the boat meaning that all the weight is in the back. NO PROBLEM getting up on plane and my eyes tear at near full throttle.