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Wife and I had sailed for years and last had a 34' sailboat in Miami. Now live in Central Florida close to the St. Johns River. Found a nice marina close by our home and really like the Montauk 170 and am planning on looking at a few and buying a used one in nice condition. Couple of questions to the Whaler experts on this forum:

-Power. In my mind Yamaha makes the best OB's and I was surprised to see that virtually all
Whalers come stock powered with Mercury OB's. The one I am looking at has a 90 HP Merc
4 stroke ... and from what I have seen online they are quality motors. Comments regarding the Mercs?

-What sort of range is feasible at moderate cruising speed with the "stock" two fuel tanks (6 gal each)?

-I see that some people have "upgraded" by replacing the two portable tanks with a Moeller 22 gallon fixed
tank. I read a couple of comments mentioning that the tank has a tendency to pinch the fuel line which is
located under the tank. One person mentioned mounting the tank on 1/3" tall brackets (one on each corner)
so the tank doesn't hold moisture under it and also doesn't impact the fuel line. Any recommendations
or comments on that topic?

-T tops ... have seen a couple of photos of boats with a "foldable" T top ... top half comes off so that a boat
can be put into a garage or a covered slip if it has a low roof. Anyone use a T top? Provides shade?

Really looking forward to getting the Montauk 170. They look like a high quality product and should be great fun
tooling around the St. Johns River (River is 310 miles long ... runs from Vero Beach to Jacksonville ... and passes
through lakes, springs, with Manatees, Gatos and tons of fish and birds. Thanks in advance to any comments that might answer my initial questions.

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All Boston Whaler boats were and continue to be sold with Mercury outboard engines.

With the exception of the 2003-2006 model years, the Mercury 90 EFI and FourStroke are decent engines.

There are too many variables to predict range.

Mounting the tank on Dri-dek squares allow water to pass underneath.

The Montauk 170 for the years 2002- 2008 are all the same. The 2009-2017 Montauk 170 have a slightly taller console. In 2018 the model was changed with substantive changes to the hull and interior.

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Compare the specifications of Montauk 170's here:
https://www.whalercentral.com/userpho...lbum_id=34

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I am currently looking at a 2006 Montauk 170 and it has a 2006 Merc 4 stroke with under 200 hours. So that is a potential problem?

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Not at all.

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Well i came across a 2008 with under 200 hours on the Merc 4 stroke ... that might be a potentially less problematic motor ... is that correct? Would rather dodge a bullet if possible. Thanks for the input.

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I'm in the same area, and that would be a great boat for exploring the St. Johns. Something you may want to consider regarding the T-Top is the overall height while on the water as well. The railroad bridge at the mouth of Lake Monroe next to I-4 is commonly down, and with current water level you'd probably have to lower the top or wait for the bridge to raise (if you travel that direction, not a problem if you stay downriver of Lake Monroe.)

In my experience T-Tops only really provide good shade when the sun is directly overhead. A bimini top would be far more versatile. On a smaller boat like the 17 a T-Top may also effect handling in high winds. Normally wouldn't be a problem in the river but if you did happen to get caught in a storm out on Lake George it could make things a little dicey.

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We are in DeLand and will be using a marina on the St Johns River close to Lake Beresford. The boats we are looking at have bimini tops and you're right about the T tops ... protection from direct overhead sun ... maybe some rain. We will be using the bimini. Really looking forward to it ... the St Johns is a pretty interesting body of water.

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Know that area well, lots of great places to explore around there. Have had some very enjoyable days running to Deleon Springs for pancakes in the morning, followed by some snorkeling in one of the other springs. Enjoy!

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I’ve just purchased a 2016 Montauk 170 after 20+ years in. Grady Cuddy Cabin and while is a learning curve 8m enjoying this little boat more than I thought I might!

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FOUND MY BOAT!!! Spoke with a yacht broker last night ... down in SW Florida. They have a 2007 Montauk 170 that I looked at today and now have under contract pending sea trials on Tuesday:

-90 HP Mercury ... 2007 model that IS 100% Merc EFI (no Yamaha
power head)

-Total hours on boat and motor = 101

-Boat has been kept in a garage ... hull has no bottom paint and is shiny original gel coat.

Boat and motor and cushions as well as bimini and cover ... are all like new.

Due to being a bare gel coat hull ... and my plan is to keep her in a covered wet slip ... on the River ... fresh water ... I am going to have the hull epoxy coated and then bottom paint. Cannot wait. Was a worthwhile drive today for sure.

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Congrats! That sounds like a great find, Good luck with it!

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Boat is at a yard pending epoxy bottom job and bottom paint. Can't get the Merc serviced until 8-25. Dealer is backed up. So ... won't be in the water until the 26th. Haven't had a chance to get onboard and check out the fuel tanks ... has the two 6.6 ( I did order a Moeller 22 but they are backordered ... no idea when it will arrive).

Are the two 6.6 gal tanks connected "in line" or do you simply switch a quick connect fitting from one to the other when one is low?

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The twin tanks are not connected and only require moving the fuel supply line to the alternate tank.

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Thanks ... replacing the two 6.6 gal tanks with the Moeller tank is then a pretty simple process. I saw photos of one install in which the owner used two 3/4" thick * 5" wide strips of marine HDPE that he used as a support (each screwed to the deck with 8 ss screws) ... he had routed a slot under each to run the strap ... in his case he used a 2" wide strap and fabricated ss buckles (apparently has quite a shop). Then just use the existing fuel line to attach to the tank. Thanks. Rick

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For securing the tank:

4 footman loops - https://www.mcmaster.com/8030T37/m/8030T37/

8 stainless oval head sheet metal screws - ~ #4 or #6 x 1"

2 Straps - https://www.acehardware.com/departmen...owns/87477

Sealant - Boat Life Marine Sealant.

Some sit the tank on 6 squares of white Dri-Dek to protect the deck and allow water/debris to pass underneath.

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Thanks again ... much appreciated.

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Had ordered a Moeller tank from West Marine .. cancelled as they are backordered with no idea on ship dates. Hamilton Marine had one in stock. What is needed to connect the existing fuel line to the Moeller tank? That wasn't very clear. Will mount either on dri-deck or on HDPE strips that would have a routed channel under neath to run nylon straps.

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You need a 1/4" NPT threaded hose barb that allows you to connect the hose and yellow (gas rated) teflon tape.

https://www.wholesalemarine.com/tempo...79347.html

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-1-2.../202078116

Wrap the yellow teflon tape around the threads twice. Insert into tank.

Use stainless clamp on fuel hose. Tighten and then wrap in black electrical tape to keep loose end protected.

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Thanks!!

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Finally received the tank ... great looking unit. Will mount on two 18" long * 4" wide strips of 3/4" HDPE screwed to the deck and slotted underneath for nylon straps to pass through. Ordering the hose barb ... 1/4" NPT ... but is the barb side supposed to be 5/16"? or 1/4". BELIEVE it is 5/16" but not sure. Will seal with Permatex Aviation Form a gasket #3 which is recommended by fuel line and tank companies as less prone to fragmenting and causing problems with injectors (as is reported with teflon tape). Thanks.

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5/16

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Thanks Phil!! Had a chance to go out on a Pursuit 23'8" the other day ... electronic power steering and electronic throttle (no cables) with a 300 Yamaha on it. Those electronic controls are slick. The throttle especially.