![]() This places the rig somewhere between a utility style boat and a conventional runabout. Overall, the Montauk stays true to the classic Boston design with an emphasis on engineering and design rather than creature comforts. This will improve offshore handling and I reckon that’s a good step forward. With that kind of backing they have expanded the range to include 18 craft from 12′ to 35′ with hull designs that include the classic twin sponson set-up and a mono-hull range.īut the new 170 Montauk comes from the classic stable of craft, though I noticed that the hull now has a more defined ‘Vee’ towards the bow in between the twin sponsons compared to the older designs. These days Boston Whaler boats are owned by the Brunswick Corp ‘ the huge US marine conglomerate that also produces Sea Ray, Bayliner and Maxum boats, plus Mercury engines. Now the 13ft, 130 Sport Model, is the closest to the original design, but I reckon the newer model’s hull has more deadrise, so it should produce a softer ride in the rough stuff. Thousands of the 13′ designs were sold and I wouldn’t be too surprised if most of them are still up and running today. The first hull released was a twin sponson, 13ft tub which, for many years was regarded as the ‘Classic’ Boston design many would be familiar with. The company has also conducted other stunts like shooting 1000 rounds of ammo through a hull ‘ it didn’t sink ‘ and driving a massive 32 tonne mining truck over another hull didn’t crush it. In May 1961, Boston Whaler got some great press when Fisher chopped a hull in half and headed off down river in only half a boat. Once the foam expands and sets the skin and foam become one.īut this foam is a lot denser than your average batch, because it expands in a confined area, so the hulls end up extremely rigid and buoyant. The method involved filling two fibreglass skins with liquid foam. So given that I still own an old Boston Whaler I was looking forward to putting a new 16′ 6′ (5.05m) big brother of my Classic through its paces to see how things have been progressing.Īs it turned out, the 170 Montauk is a fine example of the evolution of a classic design.īut before I give you the low-down on the Montauk, it may help if I told you a bit about the Boston Whaler Company itself.īoston Whalers have been around since 1958, when the founder, Richard Fisher, developed a new method of hull construction called ‘Unibond’. After 10 years hard labour it’s still ticking along with no cracks and twice the hull’s rated horsepower hanging off the back. The tinnies often needed rewelding, while one of my glass boats had to have its transom replaced. No, I haven’t tried to chop it up into 10 pieces, but it’s had a hard life for all those years.Īs a youngster I was hard on my boats. I can confirm the strength of these vessels, because I have owned a 13ft Classic Whaler for more than 10 years. If you chop a surfboard up into 10 bits, all the bits will still float. How’s that you say’ Well, the concept is pretty simple. These US-built boats are one of the toughest fibreglass boat around and they are virtually unsinkable. For those new to Boston Whaler boats let’s make it clear from the start.
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