Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: 1988 Boston Whaler 27FC questions...

Posted by Silentpardner on 10/19/13 - 10:46 PM
#5

I also have a 1989 Whaler 27 FC WD that will be going into saltwater in the Gulf of Mexico day after tomorrow. I have previously replied to you both regarding the bed filler pieces, and I have the photos of the bed filler piece in place, the support tube and the blocks for this hinged 2-piece folding filler, all in place, with and without the cushions on top that make the complete mattress for the bed conversion on my Flickr site here :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/99787852...909375698/

You only need to measure the opening for the dimensions for the wooden cushion support piece to fabricate this support. A piece of 3/4 inch EMT conduit will suffice as the support tube across the front of the opening. What is pictured on my photo site is the actual OEM setup for this, and the table is also OEM. It seems that it would be very simple to reproduce these pieces, although I have not had to do this on my boat, they were already there. The closet at the top of the stairs on your left as you descend into the cabin is there for storage of these pieces when not in use. When the table is set in place, the folding wooden insert and the support tube are kept in the closet. There are actually wooden blocks in this closet to support these pieces inside it, and there is also room for the 3 cushions as well. When the bed filler is in place, this closet is used to store the table top and the pedestal for it.

3 support blocks are used around the inside of the opening for the 2-piece wooden bed filler insert, and 2 more blocks with U shaped notches the size of the tubing are located at the front, or widest, points of the opening. The tube is laid across these 2 blocks and then the hinged filler board is unfolded and laid across the tube and supported around the opening by the 3 wood blocks at the edges. All of these blocks, tubing, and hinged filler components, as well as the cushions, can be easily seen in the pictures at the link above.

I have never seen more than 2 gas tanks as OEM on any Whaler 27 version. The offshore model came equipped standard with 2 fuel tanks, but 2 fuel tanks were optional on all models. I would be very careful assuming that just because you have 2 or 3 openings for filling in the gunnels, they are all for fuel. I have 1 fill opening in my gunnel for fresh water. If you have 3 fill openings, check carefully to insure that they all actually go to fuel tanks before filling, as you could completely ruin your entire freshwater system very quickly if you hauled off and filed it with fuel. This would also create a serious hazard if the hotwater tank was accidentally filled with fuel and then turned on.

I have no filler openings in my stern at all, there are 2 baitwells and a originally there was a large fishbox between them, but mine has been replaced by 2 tackle box inserts for trolling lures. I still have the fishbox insert.

Originally, all the filler opening caps look identical with markings that indicate the liquids to be filled. The fuel tank caps and the freshwater cap appear as identical slotted caps with the only difference being the words written on them. The freshwater system filler cap could have been previously replaced with one that had fuel or gas cast into it by a previous owner, as both filler openings are the same size, and all the caps could be interchangeable.

At any rate, it seems that it would be prudent to verify each fuel system, water system, and waste system component before worrying too much about the bed/table in the lounge. I have pictures of the wiring behind the dash at the helm for reference as well. I will have pictures of the 120V breaker panel as well soon, I am verifying it as well now. I am sure that my 120V system works now, as I have had shorepower plugged into it, but I intend to install a generator and studying of this system is underway currently.

The stern cavity on my 27 is VERY cavernous. It's a LONG way down there! I just had the aft bilge pump, which is located at the bottom of this cavity replaced with a new one, and I recommend that anyone with one of these boats do this before trying to launch, as this bilge is the lowest bilge in the boat. There is a plug at the bottom of this stern well bilge as well, and this should be in tight and sealed BEFORE launching the boat. I have a lot of wiring in this stern opening for the 12 volt system batteries and charger system, all the 12 v battery switches, baitwell pumps and washdown pumps, as well as motor control wiring. I would be very concerned if there were a fuel tank in this stern cavity, as access to these important components would be blocked.

My boat came from the factory with only 1 170 gallon fuel tank. It is located in the center of the boat under the deck. A 25 gallon fuel tank was added on top of this tank for the trolling motor later. I have removed the trolling motor and I intend to use this small tank for my generator in the future. I do intend on adding a second full-size tank to the boat soon to increase range, but I have not decided yet where exactly I will locate it. There are several possible locations and I may even relocate my waste and fresh water tanks to accommodate this.

Good Luck! Be safe and studious! Again, for pictures of details, check out that Flickr link above.The pictures of my repower and electronics upgrades and many miscellaneous detail pictures I have used to study conditions of plumbing and wiring are located here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/99787852...505480963/
These may be useful to you as well, but remember, your boat may be set up differently, as no 2 Whaler 27' are identical.

Take photos of your boats details as they won't be exactly like any other 27, and transfer them to your computer to study. I have found this technique to be very helpful. You can use the flash on your phone's camera to get details that you can't actually see behind cabinets and in the head area to help determine condition of plumbing and electrical components. If you spot a potential problem, you can get it up to par BEFORE you get out on the water and have a catastrophic failure that could do more than just ruin your day!

Edited by Silentpardner on 10/19/13 - 10:57 PM