Boston Whaler

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Image:Boston Whaler.jpg

Boston Whaler, classically, refers to a series of small open boats characterized by a fiberglass, foam cored, twin V-hull, outboard engine and a center steering console. They are manufactured by Boston Whaler, Inc.

The original 13 foot (4 meter) Whaler hull was produced in 1956 by Richard T. "Dick" Fisher and C. Raymond Hunt. The hull used, the then new, polyurethane foam to fill a fiberglass skin<ref name="orig design">Hebert, Jim. (Feb. 2000). "Original Design and Conception of the 13-foot Whaler Hull". Retrieved 2006-06-09</ref>. This design is now common amongst a large number of manufacturers and provides tremendous strength, buoyancy, and sound deadening when compared to wooden or aluminium boats.

The Boston Whaler, or just Whaler, was one of the manufacturers that earned a reputation for being a tough work boat in coastal New England waters. Boston Whaler boats have been purchased by coast guard and naval units, worldwide<ref name="exports">Patrol Craft Sold for Export. Retrieved on 2006-06-24.</ref>. The Whaler is also a popular recreational boat. It is used for sport fishing, water skiing, runabout, and as a tender on larger yachts.

Although originally Boston Whaler boats were manufactured in Massachusetts, the current manufacturing facility is in Edgewater, Florida. After numerous ownership changes over the years, Boston Whaler is currently owned by Brunswick Corporation in Lake Forest, Illinois. Brunswick also owns Mercury Marine; as a result, new Boston Whalers ship from the factory pre-powered with that type of engine.

1 Current recreational models
2 Unsinkable
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Current recreational models

Current recreational production models range in centerline length from 11 to 32 feet (3.4 to 9.8 meters). Models include:

Tender (11 feet)
Sport (11, 13, or 15 feet)
Montauk (15, 17, or 19 feet)
Dauntless (16, 18, 20, or 22 feet)
Ventura (18 or 21 feet)
Outrage (19, 21, 24, 27, or 32 feet)
Conquest (20, 23, 25, 28, or 30 feet)

[edit] Unsinkable

Boston Whaler has, for years, sawn boats in half as an advertising gimmick. The original 1961 Life magazine ad pictured Dick Fisher sitting in a floating 13' Whaler with a crosscut saw half way through the hull<ref name="orig design"/>. After the cut was completed, Dick used the stern section to tow the bow section back to shore. Modern Whaler advertising uses a chain saw. Due to the foam core construction, the Whaler will remain afloat when sawn completely in half. Boston Whaler boats would also remain afloat when completely swamped (full of water). Because of these attributes, Boston Whaler's trademarked sales line was and is "the unsinkable legend."

However, in modern times, the "unsinkable" attributes associated with Boston Whaler boats are not unique. All modern boats under twenty five feet manufactured for sale in the United States are required by law to have positive flotation so that a completely swamped boat will still float.<ref>Boatbuilder's Handbook - Flotation. U.S. Coast Guard. Retrieved on 2006-09-19.</ref> This is accomplished by the use of closed cell flotation foam incorporated in the boat.