toocoys
Guru
Besides the 11ft Boston Whaler, what other companies make smaller boats like these?
Or what would you recommend in this size range?
Or what would you recommend in this size range?
11ft Whaler Knockoffs?
- Thread starter toocoys
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O C Diver
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I've been thinking about this one. There just up the road from me. Been meaning to go up and take a look.
Skiffs For Sale | Bluewater Baby | Your Boating Adventure Awaits!
Ted
Skiffs For Sale | Bluewater Baby | Your Boating Adventure Awaits!
Ted
caltexflanc
Guru
I'm a Whaler man, but have always thought the Livingstons, Sturdees and Bullfrogs were pretty cool little boats too.
OP
OP
toocoys
Guru
Oh wow! That's a nice one!
caltexflanc
Guru
More interior room.
OP
OP
toocoys
Guru
More interior room, and less maintenance. PVC and hypalon degrade far faster than fiberglass in the sun.
psneeld
Guru
There's a list of advantages and disadvantages for both.
One can go round and round with them. It
But I don't see less maintenance.....maybe shorter lifespan....but mine gets washed and protectorant probably less than some wash and wax their hard dingies.
One can go round and round with them. It
But I don't see less maintenance.....maybe shorter lifespan....but mine gets washed and protectorant probably less than some wash and wax their hard dingies.
The main thing, is that an 11 foot Whaler, is as close to an indestructible dinghy as you can get. We took one to the Bahamas twice, It laughed at nail ridden dinghy docks, razor sharp coral beaches, and raised outboards!
ssobol
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All commercially manufactured boats 16' or less have to be unsinkable when swamped to get USCG approval for sale.
I know a guy who was importing a small FG boat from NZ. He had to jump through a lot of hoops with the USCG to demonstrate that his boat met the requirements including going out in the harbor and swamping it with various amounts of "damage" to prove that it would not sink.
angus99
Guru
You should check them out, Ted. One of the few dinghies approaching the quality of your Cherubini. We bought one from the previous owner/inventor of BWB, but—at about 500 lbs fully dressed out—we need to beef up our davit and boat deck before we can put it on the Defever. It has significant room inside—even with the console—for an 11-footer. The owner told us the new manufacturer is making them to a higher quality standard than he was able to.
I’m 60 years old and I’ve seen plenty. You need to go to a place like the Bahamas, where you see hundreds of very old, beat to hell, but still serviceable 11 though 17 foot Whalers in use by the locals ( and relatively very few other brands in use in that size range). When boats are 40 or more years old and still in daily hard use, nothing more needs to be said about their build quality.
And, no I don’t own a Whaler right now, but I’m looking for an old 13 or so to take on our next cruise.
toocoys do you really need a high quality and expensive dinghy? Gunna own it for 3-4 years then moving on in life? Do you have kids and grandkids who would love to jump, bang, beat up and sink it?
You can think about buying one or two of those plastic skiffs. They stack and are rather durable. Or how about a “boatstogo” inflatable or RIB?
You can think about buying one or two of those plastic skiffs. They stack and are rather durable. Or how about a “boatstogo” inflatable or RIB?
psneeld
Guru
I think it's 20 feet or less, and having salvaged plenty of sunk boats under 20 feet...not sure how well this requirement is enforced or paid attention to by builders....
From the CFRs....
Subpart G—Flotation Requirements for Outboard Boats Rated for Engines of More Than 2 HorsepowerSource:CGD 75-168, 42 FR 20243, Apr. 18, 1977, unless otherwise noted. General§ 183.201 Applicability. (a) This subpart applies to monohull outboard boats that are 1) Less than 20 feet in length; and(2) Rated for outboard engines of more than 2 horsepower.(b) This subpart does not apply to sailboats, canoes, kayaks, inflatable boats, submersibles, surface effect vessels, amphibious vessels, and raceboats. [CGD 75-168, 42 FR 20243, Apr. 18, 1977, as amended by USCG-1999-5832, 64 FR 34716, June 29, 1999]<A name=seqnum 183.202>§ 183.202 Flotation and certification requirements. Each boat to which this subpart applies must be manufactured, constructed, or assembled to pass the stability and flotation tests prescribed in §§ 183.225(a), 183.230(a), and 183.235(a).
I don't think Whalers are bad boats...like many higher end things in life....owners believe more in their rep than I have experienced. Especially being around USCG vessels and commercial vessels for over 35 years. I can remember when the USCG purged their fleets of whalers... although I think BW got a contract for USCG Reserve port security boats.
I would always buy a knockoff unless I needed yacht pretty.
Last edited:
Donsan
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Our 19' Hurricane got a recall notice from Godfrey Marine because it did not comply with USCG float regulations.
Comodave
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Metan Boats builds a Whaler knockoff. Saw them on Ship Shape TV. Looked very nice.
Benthic2
Guru
I would not trust the "unsinkability" of a 40 year old whaler. Once their foam gets waterlogged, all bets are off.
That's a 16 foot Sturdee in my avatar. Very seaworthy at lower speeds. Borderline dangerous at higher speeds.
That's a 16 foot Sturdee in my avatar. Very seaworthy at lower speeds. Borderline dangerous at higher speeds.
