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So after 3 years with my 1969 13' Whaler, I have decided to move on to a 16/17 hull. My family as gotten bigger so a bigger boat is needed. My questions are, I see that most boats have ether a 75 or 90 hp outboard. Is there a huge difference between the two? Is the power difference that much? Also a 16' model vs. a Montauk? What would be a better buy for a family man like me? We would like to ski behind the boat. And take friends out. Thanks for the info and help,

Sean

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I just purchased my first boat this past spring - 17 foot whaler. Love the boat - but man, wish I had gotten someting a bit bigger.

three small kids, a a wife, and me make for a tight fit. Mine has a 75 hp and is good enough to ski with.

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Sean,

Most all of us have a story like Sisslechest.
Here is mine.

I owned a 13' Sport for 13 years and satisfied my needs at the time.
When it came time to get a larger Whaler I went looking for an Outrage 18'....
Couldn't find the elusive Outrage 18' so I ended up with a 1978 Montauk.
I owned the Montauk 17' for 15 years and finally moved up to an Outrage 18'.
Although I really enjoyed the 15 years with the Montauk, I wish I would have found the 18' originally and bypassed the Montauk.

I think the 2 most sought after Whalers for general all around use are the Montauk 17' and the Outrage 18'...

Since then I have owned several other Whalers including another Outrage 18' with twin motors, and Outrage 22' Cuddy, and an Outrage 17' II....
I am now down to just the one Outrage 18' with one main motor and kicker.

My first choice would be the Outrage 18' with a 150hp and second choice would be a Montauk 17' with minimum of 70hp and preferably a 90hp

Look at this chart of members that have listed their boat info.
You will see more Montauk 17's and Outrage 18's than just about anything else listed.
Click on "Model" at the top of the list and this will arrange the list by Model.
http://www.whalercentral.com/boat_lis...st/bl1.php

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Sean,

Difference between the 75HP motor and 90hp?
Top speed is about 5 mph faster on the 90.
Watersking the 90 will pull you up faster if you are a heavy guy if you are a 100lb kid not much difference. If you like to barefoot ski you probably want the 90.

16 vs 17 if you are on an average size lake not much difference. If you go offshore the 17 will ride better in steep or close waves (slightly less pounding).

The other option is center console (Montauk) vs "Sport or Super Sport" interior if you are going to be on a lake hauling people around there is more seating area with the Sport interior. If you are going offshore or doing a lot of fishing the center console or Montauk interior is easier to run while standing and is easier move around in.

Montauk models have a higher initial cost and a higher resale value in general.

Note that your 16's are going to be older so have a lower initial cost but most likely will require more restore work. The 17's are newer so they usually get a higher initial cost and usually require less restore work.

Look at my Personal page where I restored a 1973 16 and took it from a Currituck (Sport type) interior to a Montauk (Center Console) interior. By the way 1973 was the first year of the Montauk. Prior to that Whaler had center console models under different names even some with a rear seat. Look at pictures in the Whaler Models section of this website or click here http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...allery.php

By the way one of the sponsoring vendors on this website has replacement wood interiors for just about all models of the 16 or 17 they are called Specialty Marine.

Good Luck!


Review the

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I encourage the 90 HP. I have the 100HP and is considerably more than is necessary.

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I think the 90 is more than you really need. It is fun to have but not a must.

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Thanks for all the answers. Lie I posted in another thread, My towing car is a Subaru Outback. While I think I can tow an Outrage 18 with it, I guess my question is, Is there that much of a room diffrence between a Montauk and an Outrage? This boat will be used on Lake George and other inland lakes, So hull shape ain't tha big of a deal.

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A huge difference.

2 feet longer and about a foot wider.

Also rides much better in the chop when the wind comes up.

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I have a '05 150 sport with a 60 merc and a subaru outback. I only have a wife and a 3 yr old daughter but the boat really can move with 4 adults and a couple little kids and there is plenty of seating for cruising around. I had a Logic 21' with center console which was great for fishing with a couple guys but not much good for seating a wife and kids. About the outback, I checked the manual and you DO NOT want to even try to tow a 15' with it. It's a great car for getting to the mountain for some skiing but it's a passenger vehicle only, not meant to tow anything more than a walk behind lawnmower. If I ever need to take my boat out of the water I borrow my dad's v8 pickup. Don't ruin your outback. Either rent a slip or get a truck.

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btw, sean, I run my boat at Cranberry Lake, not too far from Lake George where you are. The Adirondacks is a great region with tons of boating opportunity. Have fun!