9’ whaler vs 11’

[madhatter1]

9’ whaler vs 11’

Looking for a 11’ Whaler as a tow behind tender. Of course all I can find Are 9’s and 13’s. 13 is too big. Is the 9 footer stable with 2 adults in it? Just mainly concerned with boarding off the swim platform. It will only be used for short distance runs and towed in overall calm weather.

 

[Boatsb]

Re: 9’ whaler vs 11’

I have an 11 with a 20 hp johnrude. It's small for a tow behind but works in calm water. 9 is definitely small.

I may consider selling.

 

[MadHatter53]

Re: 9’ whaler vs 11’

I wouldn't trust a 9' with two, I would be uneasy in a 11' with two unless its with a skinny blonde. My slip neighbor has an 11 and it's sits very very low with just him. He is thinking of selling for that reason.

 

[Fanfare]

Re: 9’ whaler vs 11’

I have a 1975 11' Whaler (bought new--match that, inflatables!) with a four-stroke Yamaha 15. I am afraid I do not remember ever towing it at cruise speed, 16 kts. and up. I sometimes do at hull speed but then I have to have someone tending the painter when I reverse. Mostly I winch it up behind my flybridge where it is stable and I don't have to worry about my backing up or it being stolen. It is fast with one adult, planes with two. I have snorkeled with four in reasonably sheltered waters (Harbour I. Sound). The Yamaha replaces a Johnson 15 that was stolen. It's much heavier so I wish I had gotten a 20 hp or somewhat larger.

The Whaler is the third dinghy for Fanfare. Its stability more than makes up for its rough ride. Great for kids. My early model is a bit short on storage space so I added a lockable bin under the main seat for stuff like flares and handheld VHF. Things can get wet here so have to use waterproof bags and equipment. It has been a great boat. Any chance you could mount one up front?

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Re: 9’ whaler vs 11’

I have owned a 9', two 11', and two 13' Whalers. The 9' is small and only rated for a 5hp. It will not plane. The 11' is much more boat. And the 13' is perfect for fishing, water skiing, and handles four adults with ease. Just my 2 cents on the matter.

 

[Mike36c]

Re: 9’ whaler vs 11’

I bought a 9’ but after taking it on a few test runs I sold it never putting it into service, way too tippy and small. I settled on a J12 and have been very happy, very stable and doesn’t ride any harder than a whaler imho. Plenty of room for the admiral and I plus two 50lb dogs, runs fine with a 20hp.

 

[madhatter1]

Re: 9’ whaler vs 11’

Not going to take it on long trips so only going to be a tow behind. We live in an area that has lots of little beaches and want a way to anchor out in safe deep water and get us and the pooches to dry land.

Scott, what are you looking for on yours if you sell it?

Merry Christmas all!

 

[Boatsb]

Re: 9’ whaler vs 11’

I'll talk to the kid and let you know.

 

[Fanfare]

Re: 9’ whaler vs 11’

I feel the 13 ft. Boston Whaler is the greatest small boat ever. Just too heavy and long for flybridge mounting on a 50 ft. oceangoing Hatteras so I had to compromise on the 11.

If you are going to tow anyway why not just get the 13 footer? Should give you the best of both worlds. Plus they are available.

 

[doc g]

Re: 9’ whaler vs 11’

I towed our 13 from place to place when it was calm, it did get a bit squirrely when I went too fast. There are a bunch more 13 's a round and as someone else said if your gonna tow anyhow go bigger. I would not tow anything smaller than that 13 ..........Pat

 

[MadHatter53]

Re: 9’ whaler vs 11’

I am also a fan of the 13 Whaler. I had a 1991 GLS 13 and it was a great little boat 15yrs later I got a 1986 15ft SS which is also a great little boat. If I was going to tow one I would go for the 15 as it feels like a much bigger boat for just 2ft.

 

[Glory]

Re: 9’ whaler vs 11’

I have towed an 11 and a 13 to Nantucket and the Chesapeake both tow well, even in 4 to 6'ers.

With a 13 you can have a 40 hp and get in plane with 4 adults.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck.

 

[madhatter1]

Re: 9’ whaler vs 11’

If I leave a 13 in the water with a painted bottom and pull the motor will it self bail in heavy rain? There is another 13 cheap nearby so maybe that's the way to go.

 

[MadHatter53]

Re: 9’ whaler vs 11’

They aren't self bailing. You can hook a float and pump up and rig a hose overboard for discharge. A waterproof cover will help to,keep most rain out. They won't sink but who wants a swamped boat to deal with.

 

[nor'easter]

Re: 9’ whaler vs 11’

pretty sure the super sports are self bailing still. My late 1970s 15 was. Left it on a mornin, no bilge pump, never a problem.

 

[Fanfare]

Re: 9’ whaler vs 11’

If you take the outboard entirely off the boat and pull the drain plug I think any Whaler will largely self bail. I have had a 13 with a 25 hp 2-stroke Johnson and my 11 with 15 hp Johnson 2-stroke. Unfortunately I cannot remember which one I experimented with by leaving the outboard on the boat but lifted up out of the water. The stern filled. The engine was so low to the waterline that a wake could have swamped it. The boat would have kept afloat but ruining the engine. I am 95% sure this was the 13 Whaler but can't be sure as this was long ago. The new 4-stroke outboards are even heavier so even more likely to swamp. My newer 15 Yahama (replacement for the stolen Johnson) is so heavy that it is a chore to remove from the Whaler.

 

[nor'easter]

Re: 9’ whaler vs 11’

my 15 had a 70 rude, the old standard sport layout with mahogany seats and small offset console. She never collected any water with the plug out on the mooring all summer. My dads newer (2000s) 15 with the 60 big foot mercury stays on a mooring in Maine for weeks at a times, rainwater never collects aboard. I guess if you left a lot of gear aboard, fuel etc....maybe

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Re: 9’ whaler vs 11’

My 1986 13' Super sport will fill half way with water if you pull the plug. Original 40 Yami on it.

 

[BOATER BOB]

Re: 9’ whaler vs 11’

Check out Rigid Boats I have a 12' with a 25hp on it .You can stand on the side of it looks like an inflatable but all fiberglass.
Bob

 

[madhatter1]

Re: 9’ whaler vs 11’

Just scored a nice 89 11' Whaler. Looks to be perfect size for what we want. Has a Merc 8HP 2 stroke that I am going to go through the carb before trying to start. Does bad gas sitting in these kill the carbs or are the jets above the bowl? The adventure begins.