Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by powdahbonz on 08/15/10 - 5:56 PM

SO here I am...grew up on a Sakonet that was a screamer with an old 135 Mercury that we'd blast with ether..boy it screamed...and my wife completely floored me with a birthday gift of a 20 outrgae powered by a 175 Yamaha with 50 hrs. She's beautiful...and the boats nice too. After the first weekend on her, couple of things I need to address immediately. The plexi fuel window to the fuel tank is cracked and water will seep through. I quickly noticed this today in the 3-5 ft stuff we were in today. After reading some concerning discussions about fuel tank removal and what could lie beneath, where can I find a replacement cover and what should I prepare for in the off-season. The boat has not been in the water, obviously salt, in 2 years until this weekend. I'm not a fatalist but who knows how long it's been cracked. I talked with the previous owner, who is the second owner and he's had it for 10+ years. I can't smell fuel, although I thought it was odd that it seems to list to the portside with just over a half a tank. Is it possible that it's water weight down below?
I'm still in euphoria with my first boat of my own so try not to shatter me but I'd rather tackle this project sooner rather than later.
Glad to be aboard..her name is Dark & Stormy

Posted by coopgraphic on 08/16/10 - 4:04 PM

Congrats on the boat. I have a 1980 Outrage V-20. Mine also had a cracked fuel window. Its a standard size inspection port and takes about 15 minutes to replace...fairly cheap too. If its any consolation, mine lists to the port as well. I know there is dampness in the foam but its a 30 year old boat...its to be expected. I have also seen diagrams that show the placement of the fuel tank and it does seem to sit a bit to the port side. Not sure if thats part of the cause but it might be. Not really answers but more of comparisons from a fellow Outrage 20 owner. Enjoy it...its a great boat!

-chris

Posted by powdahbonz on 08/17/10 - 12:43 PM

Thank you for the welcome-any suggestions on where to source the replacement fuel window? Where did you get yours? Also, on your Outrage, does your center console have a light post dead center? I have a hole in my console and I thought there was an annoying, eye-level light that used to be on Outrage's center consoles. Can't tell from many pictures.

Posted by coopgraphic on 08/17/10 - 1:25 PM

Mine did have the masthead light but I opted to remove it. If you do, be sure to modify your sternlight to be a 360 degree light so you are legal. As far as the inspection port, I got mine through Hamilton Marine. I had trouble finding one that matched the putty color of the boat so I went with black. It looks nice and fit right in.

-chris

PS...Just saw where you are from. Funny thing is that I got my inspection port cover while on vacation in Maine when I visited the Hamilton Marine store in Portland.

Edited by coopgraphic on 08/17/10 - 1:28 PM

Posted by powdahbonz on 09/16/10 - 12:33 PM

Got the cover from beckson marine-they were the original supplier.

There are a number of things I have been searching for, mostly the Outrage canvas enclosure. Were the 18, 20 and 22 significantly different in measurements that these may be usable on my 20? Also, has anyone used newer model years canvas to outfit their older Outrage?

Posted by Phil T on 09/16/10 - 5:38 PM

If you take a look at the model specs (left sidebar) you will see there were 2 designs for the classic Outrage 20. The first generation was referred to as the Outrage V-20 and was produced from ~1979 till the mid '80's.

Keep this in mind when discussing your model.

I am just up the road from you.

Congratulations!

Edited by Phil T on 09/16/10 - 5:49 PM

Posted by grahamh on 09/17/10 - 10:20 AM

#10

powdahbonz-

I too am a recent owner of an outrage (86 18ft) and had the same concerns about water in the fuel tank compartment. I know there is some water in there for a few reasons - one, there is condensation on the clear plate two, i can see water and saturated foam when i left the stern plates.

I too, thought this meant a quick end to my tank etc. I think the water must be getting in a few ways. First, the tank cover (the large fiberglass cover) is not well sealed. As well, the deck plates are not well sealed.

I have been thinking about taking the console off and the tank cover off and really drying the tank compartment out this winter.

However, I am beginning to wonder if ANYONE has a dry tank?!?! Even with all of the plates well sealed etc water can still get in under the console - where the wires come up from the tunnel.

I have looked at every Outrage i can find in every marina in the last few months and they ALL have condensation on the clear deck plate (which - i assume - means they all have water in that compartment).

I was having some glass work done in Portland (yes, the one just north of you) by one of 'the best' guys around and we were talking about tanks in Outrages. He claims he has never seen a dry one and cant figure out why some last 30 years and some 5 years. He says stop worrying and just drive the damn thing. (His language was actually a little rougher than that).

BTW - he also says the only dry whaler hull he has ever seen was sitting on a showroom floor. one season in the ocean and it is 'wet'.

So I guess my questions to everyone here are these:

One - does ANYONE have a dry tank compartment and how do you keep it that way.

Two - should we really care? I mean, so far my 'wet' tank has lasted 25 years. Not so bad.

Graham

Posted by PJHarold on 09/17/10 - 10:51 AM

#12

How these old classics were cared for is the key to the tank's longevity. I solved the problem at least in my brain by shortening the new tank I installed to create a sump area where I installed a pump. You can see in pictures on my personal page. My boat had been used as a tender so it spent alot of time in salt water. I'm sure that had a lot to do with the tank's demise. Good luck!