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Hello,
I am getting close to buying either a 15' or 17' Sport. Are the hull shapes identical on these two boats? The reason I ask is the the boat will spend time on a canal where the tide comes and goes, so at low tide, the majority of the boat will be beached. I feel like I need as flat a bottom possible so it doesn't tip. Do earlier whalers have flatter bottoms...should I be looking at 13'??
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Evan

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Evan,

What harbor are you in?

Vamanos

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We're in Newport Harbor...Grand Canal.

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Evan,

I know that canal well. There is quite a bit of flow through there. Really depends if you are going to go out of the jettys much. a 13 is fine for the bay but you really need the bigger hull of you are going out of the harbor very far. The 13 can do it but I would much rather be coming home from Irvine Cove in the afternoon in a 15 or 17.

I am in Newport Heights with a shore mooring in Balboa Coves.

Check your PM.

Cheers,
Vamanos

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I'm Not sure of the cond. in your area, I have the sport 15' and I "Beach" it often. I like it because, it's "LOW", so boarding and unloading is "EASY" on the sand w/ the kids. The 17' rides BETTER, and has higher sides, it's also a lot easier to stand up in at speed, the 15 is more of a "Sit down" boat, my brother had the 17', he seemed to have no problem beaching it. The larger you go, the more expensive it get's, this is the attraction for the 13' Whaler model (low cost, smaller motor, ease of Maint., fast, fun). The 15 was brought into production in 1975 to fill the gap between the 13' and the 17' models, it has the classic "Cathedral" shaped hull to cut into a wave smoother than the "Classic" 13' shaped hull (depending on model yr).

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You shouldn't have a problem with any small Whaler going high and dry at low tide, assuming you anchor over relatively flat ground. They float like corks.

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EM, Take a look at this article below. In it Joe has a picture of a Outrage 22 completely beached, not really leaning much at all. So I don't think you have to worry regarding which hull to pick based on that...

http://www.whalercentral.com/infusion...er_id=1376

Edit:
Changed link to show the entire personal page

Thanks for the change Joe, you can even see a 17' Whaler beached in one of the pic's now.

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Vamanos, MW, Theo and Derwd24,
Thank you so much for all the great info...it was all very helpful. I guess the 13' is too small for ocean runs, so I'm going to shoot for either a 15' or 17'...just try to find the best boat possible.
All the best and will post pics when I pull the trigger.
Thanks again,
Evan

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I love my 15, and it certainly showed it's "Merit" to me many times, most "Whaler owner's" purchased their boat's because, we are on the side of "Caution" as Mariners (we've seen what can happen on the water). The 15' is a great Bay boat but, I feel the hull is too small for "Open water" (ocean), it's under 16' so it is classified as a "Tender" and NOT "sea worthy" (believe me, I hate saying that but, it's true). I just don't want to see anyone get hurt, you might want to choose a larger "Whaler" model for "Open Water" (ocean). Good luck on the "HUNT", it's half the fun, let us know.

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MW,
Thanks for the advice. I guess the 17' it is...
Everyone thanks for all you help and enthusiasm...good to know Im not the only "whaler nut" out there.
Evan

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There have been 13, 15, 17 and 18' whalers in the grand canal for many years. You will not have a problem with the 15 nor 17 in this location via a sand mooring. I have shore moored my 18 Outrage and now a 15 SSL on Balboa Island with no problems in the last 10 years. The only issue that I have found is that you need to be careful when pulling it close to the beach as you tend to run aground and "sand" the bottom paint off the keel.

As mentioned earlier in the discussion, the 17 is probably a better all-around solution for you in this harbor.

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I have a 15 and dearly love it, but if I had it to do over again I would probably go with a 17. It's amazing the difference 2 ft can make when you are carrying a little larger load than normal as well as the difference in rougher waters. Not complaining about my 15 at all, but I do think the 17 would be a little more comfortable

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WestCoastWhaler & Tom,
Thanks for the replies. I was in Newport today and like you said there are several whaler in the canal with no issues. So, the 17' hunt is on!! Tom, your 15' is beautiful!
All the best,
Evan