Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by action on 06/21/15 - 6:15 AM

My Montauk 17 is my first Whaler and my first boat in many years. I was wondering how these boats fare out through the inlet and fishing a few miles off the south NJ coast. It has been great in the back bays near Ocean City and I would like to tet to aa couple of spots outside like the Ocean City Reef.

Posted by Phil T on 06/21/15 - 9:57 AM

I frequently piloted my Montauk in the open ocean off the coast of Maine in less than ideal conditions.

While the boat can handle more than you want to, I would say, general guide with a light or moderate load are swells up to 6', breaking waves up to 2' and 20 Kts of wind.

Up to the limits of a small craft advisory is a good measure.

Posted by wing15601 on 06/21/15 - 12:33 PM

I've had boats all over south New Jersey from Cape May to Barnegat. That boat can handle any of the inlets and take a lot more than you can, however, don't push your luck. Use good electronics and know how to get home without them. Watch the marine weather forecast. Have a reliable marine radio and get a membership in a towing service.

Posted by Finnegan on 06/21/15 - 1:41 PM

The biggest risk to your well being in a Montauk is the risk of getting flipped over (and into the water) by a large wave. They are not even as stable laterally as the 16' non-smirked hull they replaced.

About 15 years ago I remember a story on the local of news of three men who spent the night (and about 12 hours) on the up turned bottom of a Montauk after it capsized in 6' seas off New Buffalo MI on Lake Michigan. I know they were salmon trolling but don't remember the circumstances. It could have been an engine failure, but not sure. I remember them saying the wave caught them by surprise and they were in the drink before they knew it. They were lucky to be found and the Whaler clearly saved their lives, but it's not anything we would want to have happen to ourselves.

So my advice to Montauk owners out in big seas, is watch your lateral stability and a large breaking at the crest wave hitting you sideways. That could be trouble.

Posted by Rockfish on 07/04/15 - 12:45 PM

I have a 1978 Montauk and have taken it many times to Avalon Shoal about 7 miles outside of Townsends Inlet. It has always been calm. Got caught one time half way in as a fierce thunder storm approached from the west. Got to the dock safely. Always watch the weather and you will be fine.

Posted by RogueII on 07/06/15 - 7:12 AM

I have a 1987 17 Montauk and a 23 Mako. I love my Whaler and take it in the ocean all the time...however as others have said on the wrong day it will beat you up.

There is just no comparing the ride comfort of my two boats.

The Whaler is awesome and will handle any sea I've thrown at it...however I've had some miserable 6-7 mile rides home when the wind picks up.

Posted by action on 07/13/15 - 2:17 PM

#10

Saturday was nice at the Jersey shore with seas about 2 feet and winds about 10 knots. We took the Montauk to the Ocean City Reef (about 4 miles offshore) and caught some nice 21 - 25" flounder. The boat was great. From start to finish we put about 37 miles on the GPS and burnt about 7 gallons with the ETEC 90.

Posted by mtown on 07/13/15 - 2:45 PM

#11

Good first trip. I used to take my 16' 6" about 12 miles off OC Md to the bass grounds. Unless the "world is coming to an end" the worst trip back is slow and wet. Better to be in deeper water actually.

I encountered my worst experience in the bay behind OC. A storm swept thru and I could literally see the sunshine on the water 1/4 mile to each side. I was attempting to help a group of teenaged kids on jet skis when it hit. Almost positive I was going to flip bow over stern just trying to keep the bow into the wind/waves.
All this time in 6-8 feet of water and 300 yards from shore. Entire event lasted 10 minutes. Boat did great, I was glad to not have passengers on that one.

Posted by action on 07/14/15 - 1:22 PM

#14

No aux motor but there was about 50 boats in the same area. I would not have hesitated to go out 10 or more miles that day. The weather was favorable and we were in a very stable air mass. Sunday would have been even better because the winds were lighter but my son in law and his wife took the boat and went crabbing.

Posted by Whalerbob on 07/18/15 - 1:32 PM

#15

I took my Montauk 17' out 20 miles off Ocean City MD last weekend for the second time this season. This trip I caught 4 Dolphin to 20lbs, a Cobia, and a bunch of Sharks. I won't go unless it's forecast (and actually) flat calm which it was as you can see.
http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w...sokcl6.jpg

Both trips the wind was forecast to blow less than 5 kts out of the west in the AM, lay flat, and then turn to the SE in the afternoon which is ideal. On that forecast I run out, fish, and once the wind starts to pick up I start heading home with the wind at my back. I have a 6hp kicker, PLB in pocket, and all necessary safety gear. Pick your days and use common sense.

Edited by Whalerbob on 07/18/15 - 1:57 PM

Posted by mtown on 07/19/15 - 3:44 PM

#16

Bob,
Great photo. Amazing how fast the space disappears on a small boat when you rig for a little offshore run. Imagine if you added a couple more humans and their ****.
Nothing more fun than being in those conditions where you went.

Try the Southeast lump sometime [just inshore of where you were.]

Posted by Whalerbob on 07/20/15 - 3:41 PM

#18

Shoot me a PM, happy to elaborate or buddy boat next time. I slept on the boat the night before in AssOwoman so in addition to sleeping bags etc I had a lot of stuff I really didn't need so yes it was crowded. Next time I plan to dump a lot of that crap in my truck the morning before I run out to lighten the load. I only burned about 16 of my 24 gallons but I also brought an extra 12 gallon tank that I kept in the starboard corner and burned first so I probably had close to 20 gallons extra. The center cooler you see is my bait well and the other cooler to port is for bait.
I also had trolling gear and a harpoon in case I got a mako but didn't use/need any of it. I bought a 4 gallon bucket of bunker chum and netted a half bucket of peanut bunker plus loaded my live well before heading out. I also put a dozen small Jacks in the well at the sea buoy on the way out, that's what the cobia ate. I had a much larger Dolphin eat a 3lb Bonita on my shark rig but it jumped off. The previous trip I had a White marlin tail past me while I was out there so I figured those jacks would be good pitch bait or possibly tuna candy. Originally wanted to go to the 20f fingers but with the late start and possible PM thunder I figured Jacks Spot was far enough. I monitored WX regularly through the day to make sure nothing was developing, that's one of my biggest concerns

I cleaned the fish at Sunset Marina, the guys at the tables looked at me like I was nuts when I started pulling Dolphin out of my cooler, perhaps.

Edited by Whalerbob on 07/20/15 - 3:45 PM