Refurbishing a 17 Foot 1972 Boston Whaler - Ready to catch some BIG FISH!!

[@TheDecguy]

I’ve got a 1966 17 Ft Whaler thatI bought in 1985. I did a complete restoration at that time. New console, new Yamaha, new Interlux inside and out and a leaning post from Birdsall. Bobby (dad Birdsall) told me it was the first one they ever built for a 17 Ft Whaler. He always kidded me about how much money he lost making it. Now it’s time for a new restoration. Just getting started. Good to see your restoration. Now it’s time to get mine looking good again.

[@fishbluewater]

Nice. We definitely enjoyed doing our little restoration. We just released a video of fishing on the whaler offshore.

[@DarolTuttle]

I have the exact same boat. Same year hull even. I have a Yamaha 115 four stroke. I moved to Puerto Rico and bought it in Florida. I really don't know boating. So, I am learning as best I can on it. Right now, I am having a power steering issue. Your video is inspiring. Keep up the good work!

[@fishbluewater]

Thank you!!

[@HolyMillerOutdoors]

Beautiful set up. Clean, I have a 1965 16.5ft whaler completely gutted with a 2024 Honda 60hp tiller and a u shaped tow bar it is used for fishing salmon and I love whalers

[@fishbluewater]

Sounds like a great boat!

[@emorejhotepra2628]

I have seriously watched this video over 50 times and have shared it many times as well what a simple clean boat

[@fishbluewater]

Thanks! It’s definitely a great boat! We need to get out and do some more filming in it!

[@bd_jiggin]

Great looking boat! I’ve got a ‘65 17ft whaler myself. Still running strong & catching fish! Great boats. Nice restore

[@fishbluewater]

Nice on your whaler. 65 is deff a classic. Thanks for the kind words on the restore. Plenty of more fishing to be done on it.

[@alanmckenzie3228]

Awesome video! Everything you said was spot on and very good restore, cool color you chose too. I bought my 88' Newtauk (Newport converted to Montauk) on Superbowl Sunday of 2020 and it has been the best thing I ever bought. She has taken me and 2 fishing buddies from San Diego to the Coronado Islands in Mexico for YT and used only 10-11 gallons of fuel. I will never sell that boat, it will go to my son and daughter when I'm in a walker. Tight lines and again, good video.

[@fishbluewater]

Thanks for the kind words 🙏🏼

[@Whalermansteve84]

I love my 13 whaler. Wouldn’t trade it or sell it for anything!!! Great boats and very solid

[@fishbluewater]

Def!!! New video coming out tonight fishing offshore with the whaler

[@Whalermansteve84]

@@fishbluewater I’m waiting on the outboards to get back into stock so I can repower. I have a 2006 15 Merc 4 stroke. It pushes it , but not fast enough for me lol

[@fishbluewater]

@@Whalermansteve84 more Powaaaa! 🤣

[@Whalermansteve84]

@@fishbluewater need a 40

[@jackshittle]

I remember being in 10th grade and me and my grandfather went to our slip to take out our brand new 13' Whaler to fish in the Manasquan River in NJ. He was enraged & disgusted (as was I) that somebody went in our boat & squeezed out a log of shit right in the middle of the boat. I had to use our net to try & scoop it up but it started breaking apart & falling through the spaces in the net. We eventually had to do a fresh water/high pressure wash down along with Clorox bleach. I wish back then they had security cameras (this was around 1985 or 1986). This 17' Whaler came out terrific! Great job!

[@fishbluewater]

WOW who in the right mind would do that. Crazy stuff in NJ. Thanks on the compliments on the whaler. We are happy with it and continues to put us on the fish.

[@SFROutdoors]

some might say it is more fun fishing on little boats like these, we love punching through the inlet flying a couple flags on our 17ft bay boat

[@fishbluewater]

Super fun and def a head turner. New video coming out today of the whaler going offshore for pelagic

[@anthonydick4936]

Would you mind sharing what the “textured” paint was that y’all did in the interior to better hide the spider cracks? Thanks!

[@fishbluewater]

Sorry don’t know what specific paint it was but feel free to call Pride Auto & Marine in Pompano Beach. They will know as they painted the boat

[@Adam12Designs]

Beautiful 16 “custom”. The ProXS is a good match for that hull.

[@fishbluewater]

Agree 👍🏻

[@didijustbuymygrandmothersh9541]

Great show I got a 17ft montack 1985 its great.

[@fishbluewater]

Thanks!

[@bruceking8178]

Killer job!!! I have a 1967 whaler that I've been working on and your boat has steered me away from my original plan for the boat.You covered everything, but unless I missed it, where you got the console. Maybe you could give me the model and manufacturer or the width. I thank you, and once again super impressed by your vision!!! Tight lines, Bruce

[@fishbluewater]

The console was with the boat when we bought it. I believe it may have been purchased at a local marine flea market. Checkout CM Marine online. They have a number of aftermarket consoles that would work great

[@bruceking8178]

@@fishbluewater Thanks for the info, and once again enjoy that beautiful boat!!!! Tight lines, Bruce

[@countrywalklogistics7200]

Any chance you can share the dims on the center console and the leaning post? Would be nice to know where I can get the rod holders.

[@fishbluewater]

The rod racks on the console are from Birdsall Marine in West Palm Beach. I can get you some measurements also

[@fishbluewater]

Leaning post measures 19 inches deep by 26.5 inches tall and 30 inches wide. It was built by Birdsall. It also has a back rest that can flip forward or backwards.

[@fishbluewater]

Console is 19 inches deep x 31 inches tall x 22 inches wide

[@asemeleer2475]

Nice job mate Very interest in the rod holder you have for trolling and on the side . Tnx

[@asemeleer2475]

Could you give me the info on the rod holders , were can I buy the same style. I have also a boston whaler classic 17 . Next month Im starting the rebuild . Tnx in advance 👍 Ps very nice build you did there

[@fishbluewater]

I don’t recall where they came from but you can Google removable rod holder or flat plate rod holder and should be able to find them online

[@SFROutdoors]

Gotta love getting it done on a single engine no T-Top boat

[@fishbluewater]

We have been fishing alot more with it offshore. New video will be released tonight with the whaler

[@denispelosini5685]

Looking great. Do know each model is this one?

[@chuck8576]

Love the boat! Job well done. Where is the gas tank and any info on it? Thanks

[@fishbluewater]

Fuel tank is above deck and strapped in under the leaning post

[@familypalencia]

hello, what kind of rough budget range would I have to plan for a similar project? Thanks for the video. I've always wanted a Montalk, but the new ones are out of my price range.

[@fishbluewater]

Glad you enjoyed it! Somewhere in the $25K to $30K range is a fair estimate

[@andyreece5700]

Where can i buy those rod holders ans brackets

[@fishbluewater]

Don't think they make them anymore

[@arielschoenfeld5407]

Nice I just bought a72 and haler today .I plan to restore it too!

[@fishbluewater]

Good luck!

[@nickgower1121]

Great video! I have a 17ft whaler (1965) that I need to repower and I’m looking at that 115 Pro XS. I noticed you have the command thrust version (I’m trying to decide between the CT and the regular). What’s your top speed with the CT?

[@fishbluewater]

Runs about 45 top end

[@nickgower1121]

@@fishbluewaterthanks!! What propeller are you running? And what made you choose the CT over the regular pro xs?

[@josephmejia6746]

nice job brother God bless you

[@henryc8443]

Nice boat, about the live well tank did you install overflow hose? I didn't saw any holes in the tank.

[@fishbluewater]

Yes, it has a 1 1/2 inch overflow

[@henryc8443]

Thank you

[@jasonsmith7809]

im considering re-powering my montauk. Is the splash well constantly filled with water due to the weight of the 115?

[@fishbluewater]

No. It handles the weight fine

[@BlowtheBridge]

How do you like the smaller center console? I just took out the enormous factory console on my vintage 17 Montauk. I'd like way more walk around room with a smaller one.

[@fishbluewater]

Love it. Create more room in the boat and a lot more fish ability

[@BlowtheBridge]

@@fishbluewater It's just wasting real-estate on a small boat. Great to know, thanks!

[@calekight9312]

Have the same year Newport that I have restored and I was wondering where you put your fuel tank and what size it is and what kind of range you get on a full tank

[@fishbluewater]

Fuel tank is under the leaning post. It’s 12 gallons and range really depends on how you are running the boat but around 30 miles

[@252drew]

Where did you get the flat ended rod holders?

[@fishbluewater]

You can search them online but they are hard to find now. I think it was West Marine back then

[@FlyGuy1]

Great job!! I have a 17’ Montauk from 1989 and was thinking about adding sea deck to it. I use the same power (115xs). How well do you think the current sea deck you have would fit the same hull but in white?

[@fishbluewater]

It’s all about personal preference. I chose gray this boat because I thought it would compliment the blue hull and the gray rub rail nicely. I thought it also might hide the dirt better. White would look just fine but I might go with something a little off white so it’s not too bright.

[@sofrondoco2000]

Great video, please can you post the rod holders link? thks

[@fishbluewater]

Don't think they make them anymore

[@stephanszymanski9348]

Beautiful build and equipment, what rod and reels are those ?

[@fishbluewater]

Randy Towe rods and Shimano reels

[@stephanszymanski9348]

@@fishbluewater thank you!

[@bret2972]

Any hull modifications to handle the speed and weight of the 115?

[@fishbluewater]

Nope. Handles the weight just fine as is. The newer 115 Pro XS is lighter than previous models

[@jimbotentacion7599]

Nice job love the boat

[@fishbluewater]

Thanks!

[@UrbanFisherman]

Nice looking boat 👍🏾

[@fishbluewater]

Thanks

[@theloudprofessional]

Hoping to build something like this one day.

[@fishbluewater]

They are so much fun!

[@RJC-x5s]

What brand is that stern light on the cowling?

[@KevinTheDiveKidd]

I love it bro but I have an 15,5 whaler but am thinking what kinda seat I should put bro

[@fishbluewater]

Really depends on how you are going to use the boat most often

[@KevinTheDiveKidd]

@@fishbluewater mostly for spearfishing

[@RJC-x5s]

what brand is the light on the cowling?

[@fishbluewater]

Unfortunately don’t know the answer to that one

[@adrielmendoza801]

How much did the total build cost?

[@fishbluewater]

Hard to put a number on it because some of it was done through barter

[@jerimahjohnson8698]

I have a 65 17ft whaler I'm redoing again. Need a new motor and console. What motor would you recommend buying that does not weigh too much? I crab and duck hunting out of it. No speed demon just don't want to change stance of how she sits. Also need to buy or build new console. Please advise sir.

[@fishbluewater]

The new Mercury 4 strokes are light yet plenty powerful. I would look at the 90hp. For console I would search for any FB whaler marketplace groups and see if you can find something there

[@CHdollar06]

Do you have a link to where you got those rod holders?

[@fishbluewater]

Don’t have a link but if you Google flat plate rod holders or removable rod holders you should be able to find them

[@issacrobertson]

Hi, what rod and reel setups do you have? Are tge biutts allaluminum?

[@fishbluewater]

We have a lot of different rod and reels. Our live bait rods do have aluminum butts and we have some with slick butts also

[@anthonygiacchino2317]

How much did u spend in total?

[@fishbluewater]

That’s like asking a woman how old she is 🤣

[@xOLDGUYx]

very nice

[@fishbluewater]

Thanks

[@JimmyJammer1]

Isn’t that engine a little bit much , all the info I read says anything over a 90 is too heavy and too much.How big is fuel tank?

[@fishbluewater]

Handles it just fine. 15 gallon tank

[@ryleybunn4688]

Pimped out!

[@fishbluewater]

For sure.

[@jasielm5258]

The whaler runs!

[@fishbluewater]

She’s a runner she’s a track star!!

[@adriancarreras4020]

Do a video of you fishing on it?

[@fishbluewater]

We will do a few of them!

[@fishbluewater]

Gonna be releasing a offshore video today with the whaler

[@baysidejim]

When it’s all said and done, couldn’t you have bought a boat that’s just a couple of years old for the same money you have invested in that thing?

[@fishbluewater]

The way the market is today not likely but that’s not what it’s about when it comes to restoring classic hulls

[@gbass7328]

Look at all of the 16' comments. You had to have been alive back then to know.. We are just telling you what it was.

[@gbass7328]

BW 16'

[@gbass7328]

Known and sold by Boston Whaler as a 16' everyone fyi.

[@fishbluewater]

Registered as a 17 everyone fyi

[@gbass7328]

Well that's wrong lol

[@gbass7328]

16' !!!

[@fishbluewater]

title says different 😎

[@gbass7328]

@@fishbluewater That title is wrong. Call Whaler and ask them how they advertised and sold those in 1972.

[@fishbluewater]

@@gbass7328 nah I’m good with the title lol

[@gbass7328]

@@fishbluewater 👍🏻

[@teddobol]

Horrible riding boat and no storage the two most important things about a boat. To each their own though.

[@fishbluewater]

Yes, it’s definitely not the boat you buy for either of those reasons but it’s a lot of fun inshore around the inlets and stuff like that

[@TheDecguy]

I agree it doesn’t ride like a deep V but if you learn how to cross a sea without hitting it head on it’s not that bad.

[@alanmckenzie3228]

But, the Boston Whaler will get you home safe. It is the boat so many other company boats compare their 17 foot boats too.

[@Kyle-dg5sk]

This beaut for sale? Lol

[@fishbluewater]

It may be in the near future

[@Kyle-dg5sk]

@@fishbluewater I’m in the market now but I’m no rush and have a few I’m interested in but I’ll hold out for this thing. Could I get in contact with you about it?

[@fishbluewater]

@@Kyle-dg5sk send me your email or phone number and I will reach out

[@Kyle-dg5sk]

Sent you my phone #/email through Facebook and instagram.