Frequently Asked Questions:

To find an answer to your question, please review questions by topic and the topics are listed below. If you are unable to find what you need, please click here to submit your question to Boston Whaler.

E-mails will be responded to in the order that they are received. Please do not send duplicate questions or copy several different departments as this will only add to response time.
Office hours for Boston Whaler are Monday through Friday 8 am-5 pm. Please be patient, as e-mails will only be responded to in this time period.

For Product information and dealer pricing, contact your local Boston Whaler Dealer. Pricing and parts are available though your nearest Boston Whaler Dealership only.

BOSTON WHALER SAILBOATS

Q. Did Boston Whaler ever produce a sailboat?
A. Yes, Whaler produced and sold several sailboat models through the years.

Trident (Sunfish Type Craft), 1958-1960.
Squall (Rowing and Sailing), 1965-1979 (revised edition between 1983-1985)
Harpoon 5.2 with cuddy, 1976-1983.
Harpoon 5.2 sans cuddy, 1978-1983.
Harpoon 4.6, 1977-1983.
Harpoon 6.2, 1979-1983. (For more information on Harpoon Sailboats try: www.ruach.net/Harpoon.shtml )
Super Cat, 1984 only Super Cats and parts are still available through:
Aquarius Sails
Phone: 651-462-7245
www.aquarius-sail.com

Classic Whaler Owner’s Association: http://home.att.net/~classicwhaler/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html 

ENGINE/MOTOR, PROPELLER AND FUEL

Q. I would like to install a bow-mounted trolling motor on my Boston Whaler. How do I know what shaft length to order, and how many pounds of thrust will be required?
A. Most trolling motor manufacturers recommend that the center of the motor be at least 9 inches under the surface of the water.

For a general idea of the needed shaft length, measure from the top of the bow to the waterline, as typically loaded. With a measurement of up to 16 inches, the shaft length should be a minimum of 36 inches; from 17 to 22 inches, a minimum 42-inch shaft length is needed; from 23 to 28 inches, the shaft length should be 48 to 52 inches; and from 29 to 34 inches, the shaft length should be 54-62 inches. If you fish in rough waters, add 5 inches, and if your boat is hand-steered, you might add another 12 inches to get the handle in a useable position.

For thrust, as a rule, you should always go with the highest thrust motor that your budget will allow. That way you’ll have plenty of reserve power when the wind and currents get stronger.
Boat length
Minimum thrust 11-13 feet 30 lbs.
14-15 feet 36 lbs.
16-17 feet 50 lbs.
18 feet 55 lbs.
19 feet 65 lbs.
20-21 feet 74 lbs.
22 feet 101 lbs.
If you typically fish with heavier loads or in rough waters, you may want to choose the next higher thrust motor.

For more information on trolling motors, visit www.motorguide.com or www.minnkotamotors.com. 

Q. My area is now using ethanol in its fuel, but I’ve heard that it can damage fiberglass fuel tanks. Does my Boston Whaler have a fiberglass fuel tank, and how will the ethanol/fuel mixture affect my boat?
A. Boston Whaler does not install any fiberglass fuel tanks at the factory. Only aluminum and polyethylene have been used through the years. However, the 10 percent ethanol/fuel mixture will not harm either of those materials.

If your boat has an after-market, above deck, fiberglass fuel tank produced before 1991, you may want to consider replacing it with an updated version. The resins in the older fiberglass fuel tanks may not be compatible with the ethanol, and they can end up being carried to the engine, where severe damage could occur.

Your Mercury engine and Boston Whaler fuel system components will withstand up to 10 percent ethanol content in gasoline, but you should not exceed this amount. Check fuel hoses and fittings for deterioration regularly and replace as needed.

When storing your boat for long periods of time (two months or more) it’s best to remove all fuel from the tank. This is recommended because as the temperature goes up and down in partially full tanks, the void space above the fuel allows air movement that can draw out water through condensation. Ethanol draws that water into the fuel. Significant amounts of water will cause the ethanol and water to separate from the bulk fuel and sink to the bottom of the tank where they can be pumped directly into the fuel system and engine, potentially causing significant problems.
Because of this, it is best to first introduce an ethanol fuel mixture into a dry tank and be careful to keep the water out. Other precautions include keeping the fuel tank full (to prevent condensation) and always having several fuel filters handy (ethanol will act as a cleaner to any gummy deposits).
If it’s not possible to remove all fuel from the tank, the next best option is to keep the tank full and add a Mercury-recommended fuel stabilizer. When starting the boat after a long storage, run the engine for 10 minutes, shut off the fuel supply, and then let the engine run until it stops. Top off the fuel tank and cap any openings to reduce the amount of airflow that could cause condensation. 

Click here to continue reading the Boston Whaler FAQ's.