1968 Boston Whaler

James Johnson

James Johnson

New member
Hey guys, I need some of your opions & knowledge about the Boston Whaler before I go look at one.
It's suppose to be a 14ft 1968 model. Does anyone know of any issues to look for other than the ovious hull patches
& visible modifactions someone has done themselves?
I've been told the foam that is inside the hull will become waterlogged over time. Is this true?
If it is true how can you tell if it's waterlogged?
If it is waterlogged how do you dry it out?
Any know weakness's of this boat?


Thanks, James
 
If the hull is waterlogged it will weigh more.
The easiest way to get the water out would be to open up the fiberglass skin and let it dry out or drill some holes and let it drain. Then weigh again to see how close you are to specs.
You may have to dig out the old foam if it's bad and mix up a new batch to fill in. Then glass back over. They are good boats and worth saving if you want to put the time into it.
 
If the hull is waterlogged it will weigh more.
The easiest way to get the water out would be to open up the fiberglass skin and let it dry out or drill some holes and let it drain. Then weigh again to see how close you are to specs.
You may have to dig out the old foam if it's bad and mix up a new batch to fill in. Then glass back over. They are good boats and worth saving if you want to put the time into it.
Click to expand...

Sounds like alot of work digging out the old foam.
Anybody on here ever done that?
 
Unless you are madly in love with this boat - run away - you will never get your investment back even if it's free. Great design on hull but there are tons of boats out there so if you see it with a soft transom or floor - pass and go get something worth putting alot of time and money into it. Many years as a boat lover and repair are talking here -
 
I've got the same boat not sure the year and its water logged, when and got worse over time, I cut the whole floor out and pulled all the foam out of it, took me and a friend a few hours, I then replaced the floor with marine ply wood built pedestals for seat and glassed it all in it wasn't alot of money and was kinda a fun summer project. I did cover the whole inside with tuff coat I'm not to pleased with that but the boats great, I use it to hunt out of and fish alot during the summer. I also added a home maid blind to that i got the idea from someone else.
 
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Any foam cored/floatation boat can get waterlogged. Particulary a boat that "lives" in the water/on a mooring.

On the other hand, a smaller trailored 1968 vintage boat could be a good deal.

A buddy of mine had a 34' sailboat surveyed before he bought it. His surveyor nixed a couple before he found one 100% solid. The technique was mostly going around with a small metal hammer.

Boston Whalers are two fiberglas "slices of bread", glued around the edges, and filled with foam. A 5-10 year old boat could be trashed too if the fittings were not properly bedded to keep the water out of the core.
 
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