Whaler Volume 1 Issue 1 by Dino Marketing Group

whaler THE

B O S T O N

UNSINKABLE

W H A L E R

LEGEND

B O A T S

volume 1 issue 1

M A G A Z I N E

www.whaler.com

whaler president’s le+er Keeping the legend growing.

President, Boston Whaler

John W.S. Ward Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Customer Service

Benjamin Cast

WHALER

Magazine

President/Publisher

Douglas Leik

The Legend Grows

Account Executive

Annie Brown Editorial Director

Randy Hess Managing Editor

Jennifer Chesak

Welcome to the premiere issue of Whaler magazine. More than 50 years ago Richard Fisher, the man who crafted the first Boston Whaler, built more than just a boat, he built a legacy.

Senior Editor

Roger Kamholz Associate Editor

Elli Thompson Editorial Interns

Sarah Hess, Nick Weldon Creative Director

Russell Duncan Production Director

In 1961, Life magazine pictured Richard in a Whaler that had been sawed in half. His stunt demonstrated the boat’s incredible unsinkability. Since then, Boston Whaler’s legendary reputation has only grown. roughout the years, Whaler has been a pillar of security on the water, thanks to Richard’s early innovative construction efforts and Whaler’s ongoing dedication to safety. More than that, Whaler has become an icon for classic style. You can read more about Richard’s legacy on page 22 and about Whaler’s manufacturing processes on page 36. Our launch of Whaler magazine celebrates the Boston Whaler legend, which continues to expand with each new unsinkable model that comes off the line and each new satisfied owner who shoves off from the dock. I’ve learned that every Whaler owner has a unique story to tell. At different events, I’ve heard tales about big fish, favorite Whaler magazine days on the water and even how Whalers have kept owners safe provides a chance to in harrowing rough seas. Whaler magazine provides a chance to share your adventures along with valuable information to share your adventures enhance your on-water lifestyle. You’re part of the Whaler legend along with valuable and family, and this is a place for us to come together when we’re information to not out on the water. enhance your I hope you enjoy Whaler magazine, and I look forward to on-water lifestyle. seeing you on the docks. Happy and safe boating!

John W.S. Ward President — Boston Whaler

Kraig Devenport Art Director

Robyn Bendle Art Director

Carrie Ferris Photographers

Mike Calabro, Steven J. Conway, Robert Glover, Bill Schild, David K. Witty

Whaler magazine is published two times a year for Boston Whaler by Dino Publishing LLC. Any correspondence should be directed to: Dino Publishing 350 W. Hubbard St, Suite 400 Chicago, IL 60654 Tel: 312-822-9266 Fax: 312-822-9268 email: dleik@dinopublishing.com

The opinions expressed in this magazine are not to be considered official expressions of Dino Publishing or Boston Whaler. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject all editorial or advertising ma.er. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or artwork. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph, or illustration without prior wri.en permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Printed in U.S.A. Copyright © 2010 Boston Whaler.

whalermagazine

Contents

volume 1 issue 1

features

16 The Action Hero Boston Whaler introduces the newest addition to its versatile Super Sport lineup, the 170. See what makes this all-around performer go.

22 The Stuﬀ of Legends Remarkable tales of durability and ingenuity ﬁll the pages of the Whaler history book, and that tradition of excellence continues today.

28 A Toast on the Coast Launching a summer-long celebration of the Boston Whaler boating lifestyle, the inaugural FishTopia Signature Event brought people together for a weekend big on ﬁshing and fun.

36 Maintaining a Legacy e legend of each Boston Whaler begins with a meticulous, unrivaled manufacturing process. Find out what it takes to be unsinkable.

42 The Not-So-Li le Vessel That Could

The Stuﬀ Of Legends

d e pa rt m e n ts

With its outstanding maneuverability and deep-sea grit, the powerful new 370 Outrage turned heads amidst a ﬂeet of megayachts in the Bahamas.

Navigate Kids go ﬁshing, inﬂatable shirts, legendary shoes, Whaler combat boats and more.

Adventure Two boaters rely on a 190 Montauk to bring them to shore safely when the Bay of Fundy turns a routine trip into a battle for survival.

Satisfaction Whaler’s multifunctional Super Sport line gives boaters the freedom to fully customize their crafts.

Quality e groundbreaking 370 Outrage comes with 24/7 access to Whaler’s large boat go-to man, Wil Rogers.

on the cover: Boston Whaler quality has spanned eras and generations, always providing reliability, durability and unsinkability. Cover Photo by Charlie Foss

hooks, news, gear and info

navigate whaler

upgrade your shade

volume 1 issue 1

Everything about the new 370 Outrage is so spectacular, there’s nothing on it you’d ever

want to cover up… Well, except maybe the alfresco kitchen when you’re mixing up a

batch of guacamole under a blazing midday sun. The SureShade® automatic sunshade system, available as an option on the 370, provides hassle-free shade on-demand® for sun protection, comfort and convenience. The automated shade extends more than 6 feet.

Hooked on Helping

Unsinkable Accolades Whaler racks up awards for design and innovation

BOSTON WHALER’S DEDICATION TO building unsinkable, innovative and legendary boats earned awards from around the globe this year. The National Marine Manufacturers Association gave its prestigious Innovation Award to Whaler for the groundbreaking new 370 Outrage. (For more on the 370, turn to page 14.) Whaler’s largest model yet stood out among its peers in the Cruisers category—which included boats rang-

For more Boston Whaler news and updates, go to www.whaler.com.

vol. 1, issue 1

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ing from 25 to 140 feet—with its broad functionality, superior comfort and its accommodating two-person berth. The 370 also won the 2010 European Powerboat of the Year Award, while the 320 Outrage earned a spot on Boating magazine’s Best Boats of 2010 list. Whaler’s 150 Super Sport brought home Trailer Boats magazine’s 2010 Editors’ Choice Excellence in Design Award—standing out for its in-depth customization options and brilliant engineering. (To learn more about Whaler’s Super Sport program, turn to page 12.) The 150’s range of optional accessories, patented Unibond™ construction and legendary unsinkability impressed the editors.

THIS SPRING, BOSTON WHALER GAVE ITS SUPPORT TO A cause close to home. “The Unsinkable Legend” helped sponsor the 14th annual Bucket Full “O” Fun fishing tournament in Palm Coast, Florida, near Whaler’s manufacturing facility in Daytona. The Flagler County Sportfishing Club hosted the event, which raised nearly $4,000 from its sponsors for the Halifax Health Hospice’s family caregiver program. The program provides caregivers with a relief option while they look after terminally ill loved ones. Trout, flounder, drum fish and redfish all counted toward top-weight prizes for tournament winners. “It was a great success,” says Johnnie Carrow-Nelson, Halifax Health Hospice’s marketing and event coordinator. “Boston Whaler really helped drive funds and awareness for our program. It’s a testament to the work that our team does when a company like Whaler supports our organization.”

Social Whaler

SureShade contributed to the 370’s NMMA Innovation Award, won at the Miami International Boat Show.

Its integrated, self-supported design acts as a natural extension of your boat—so it looks great and doesn’t interfere with activities like fishing. The sturdy SureShade can withstand all the elements, including winds more than 50-mph, so you can even use it while underway. Visit www.SureShade.com.

Safe-istication SAFETY AND STYLE HAVEN’T ALWAYS GONE HAND-IN-HAND.

Float-Tech® is set on changing this perception with the Inflatable PFD all-season jacket, seamlessly integrating a U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation device with a stylish, convertible waterproof jacket. The versatile jacket also features zip-off sleeves that turn it into a light, breathable cutoff. The PFD automatically inflates within three to five seconds of being submerged in the water, allowing 32 pounds maximum buoyancy. It can also be manually activated with the pull of a lanyard or by oral inflation.

To order, visit www.whalerapparel.com.

Boston Whaler is taking its customer relationships to new heights by introducing social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr. Get connected at www.whaler.com, and follow the links.

hooks, news, gear and info

navigate whaler

upgrade your shade

volume 1 issue 1

Everything about the new 370 Outrage is so spectacular, there’s nothing on it you’d ever

want to cover up… Well, except maybe the alfresco kitchen when you’re mixing up a

Hooked on Helping

Unsinkable Accolades Whaler racks up awards for design and innovation

For more Boston Whaler news and updates, go to www.whaler.com.

vol. 1, issue 1

www.whaler.com

Social Whaler

SureShade contributed to the 370’s NMMA Innovation Award, won at the Miami International Boat Show.

Safe-istication SAFETY AND STYLE HAVEN’T ALWAYS GONE HAND-IN-HAND.

To order, visit www.whalerapparel.com.

Boston Whaler is taking its customer relationships to new heights by introducing social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr. Get connected at www.whaler.com, and follow the links.

ofishallysix

clean machine

The 1st Annual FishTopia Signature Event in Port O’Connor, Texas, was special for all young people involved, but for Melissa Smith (right), it was extra special. She turned 6. “I caught three fish today. They were about this big,” she said, holding her hands about six inches apart. Plus, the whole crowd, led by Whaler president John Ward, sang “Happy Birthday” to her. Does it get much better than that? Not according to Melissa: “This is the best birthday ever!” www.fishtopia.net

Shurhold Industries has long been the

trusted supplier of marine care products

and tools for Boston Whalers. Shurhold’s latest tool, the Dual Action Random Orbit Polisher, makes waxing, buﬃng,

polishing, cleaning, and paint-defect and swirl removal absolutely goof proof. “You do not have to worry about creating

• MarineMax Destin FishTopia

UPCOMING EVENTS

burn

marks,” says

Barry

Berhoﬀ, president of Shurhold. “Anyone can

Destin, Florida; June 18-19

use this.” Find additional tips at www.shurhold.com.

• MarineMax Houston FishTopia Seabrook, Texas; July 2-10

Special Offer: Get a $40 bonus pack with the purchase of the Shurhold Dual Action Polisher. The pack includes Wax, Pro Polish Pad, Microfiber Towel and a 16-ounce Wax. Enter coupon code BWB at checkout.

• B&E Marine FishTopia Michigan City, Indiana; July 10

• Russo Marine FishTopia Medford, Massachusetts; July 17

• Island Marine Center FishTopia Cape May, New Jersey; July 24

• FishTopia Fano, Italy; July 31

• Schock Boats FishTopia Newport Beach, California; August 14

Jeﬀ-of-all-Trades AS

BOSTON WHALER’S FIVE-PERSON Jeff Furches takes on a wide range of responsibilities—overseeing prototype assembly, validations, warranty repairs and providing technical assistance at boat shows and photo shoots. Jeff came to Whaler 15 years ago from a construction background. “I’ve spent seven years in production and the last eight in engineering,” he says. “We’ve got a strong brand, a great product and a strong companybacking us.” Jeff manages his crew by developing project schedules and allocating resources. “I’ve got a really solid team of dedicated people,” he says. “There’s a lot of versatility with my group. We get exposed to a broad spectrum of the business.” Jeff appreciates seeing his personal touches on the finished boats. “For pretty much everyproduct in our lineup, I’ve been involved in the prototype assembly and integration into the production environment,” he says. “I’m proud of that.” THE HEAD OF

PRODUCT SERVICES TEAM,

Indestructible just as boston whaler has an affinity for sawing boats in half to prove unsinkability, diehard® enjoys proving the indestructibility of its batteries with a series of “torture tests.” Several (shocking) experiments show the astounding power DieHard batteries generate. In a particularly telling test, technicians at the DieHard lab successfully jumpstarted six cars with a single DieHard Platinum battery—while the battery was frozen in a large block of ice! In another test, a single battery was used to run a home stereo, an electric saw, a hot dog grill, a tanning bed and a hot tub, all before starting a car. Seeing is believing, so check out videos of the torture tests yourself and get more information on the DieHard Platinum Marine & RV battery by visiting www.DieHard.com.

Life Demands DieHard™

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linkable legend Already known as a leader in navigating the world’s waters, Whaler has re-envisioned the way customers will navigate its website. The site will launch early this summer and will feature plenty of incredible photography, information about every Whaler model, plus special customization tools to help you decide what boat is right for you. You’ll also have opportunities to connect with the ever-growing Whaler family! Stay tuned for the all-new www.whaler.com.

“We’ve got a strong brand, a great product and a strong company backing us.”

Two of a Kind Innovative. Legendary. A passion for the sea. Boston Whaler and Sperry Top-Sider share these qualities, and with more than 125 years of boating experience between them, it’s no wonder they’re both considered classics. Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Sperry Top-Sider began its legendary story in 1935, when Paul Sperry invented the world’s first boat shoe a;er noticing his dog Prince’s ability to quickly maneuver over ice and snow. Paul cut siping into the outsole of a rubber sneaker to imitate the traction. His revelation has led to more than 400 styles, all grounded in an iconic brand. Share your passion for the sea with us through words or pictures for a chance to win a free pair of shoes. Email whalermag@dinopublishing.com.

ofishallysix

clean machine

Shurhold Industries has long been the

trusted supplier of marine care products

and tools for Boston Whalers. Shurhold’s latest tool, the Dual Action Random Orbit Polisher, makes waxing, buﬃng,

polishing, cleaning, and paint-defect and swirl removal absolutely goof proof. “You do not have to worry about creating

• MarineMax Destin FishTopia

UPCOMING EVENTS

burn

marks,” says

Barry

Berhoﬀ, president of Shurhold. “Anyone can

Destin, Florida; June 18-19

use this.” Find additional tips at www.shurhold.com.

• MarineMax Houston FishTopia Seabrook, Texas; July 2-10

• B&E Marine FishTopia Michigan City, Indiana; July 10

• Russo Marine FishTopia Medford, Massachusetts; July 17

• Island Marine Center FishTopia Cape May, New Jersey; July 24

• FishTopia Fano, Italy; July 31

• Schock Boats FishTopia Newport Beach, California; August 14

Jeﬀ-of-all-Trades AS

PRODUCT SERVICES TEAM,

Life Demands DieHard™

vol. 1, issue 1

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“We’ve got a strong brand, a great product and a strong company backing us.”

on target

Whaler Strong

Raymarine’s all-new 18- and 24-inch Radome Radar Scanners provide map-like

digital picture clarity for unmatched safety and navigation, and, with 4kW transmitters, offer premium performance. Raymarine’s exclusive HD Digital Signal

Processing technology allows for superior long- and short-range target detection,

unmatched high-speed target tracking and automatic bird detection mode to give

anglers an edge tracking down schools of fish. You can pair your Radome Scanner with Raymarine’s new E-Series Widescreen with HybridTouch™ digital navigation

display. Inspired by modern smart phones, the easy-to-read and fully customizable

BOSTONWHALER SHOWED OFFTHIS CUSTOMIZED 25-FOOT GUARDIAN GUNBOAT at the 2010 Miami International Boat Show. The dynamic craft—made specially for the French Army—represented Brunswick Boat Group’s Commercial & Government Products (BCGP) fleet, a series of boat models custom outfitted for a number of critical tasks— including combat, special ops, homeland security and law enforcement. BCGP has even customized craft with giant dive doors that allow trained dolphins to swim into the cockpits for research purposes. Because of the brand’s trademark unsinkability and well-known quality, most of the boats are Boston Whalers—including Guardian, Justice, Challenger and Vigilant models, ranging in length from 15 to 37 feet. “Commercial and government boats go through rigorous tests every day, and Whalers really hold up well,” says Catherine Morgan, marketing manager for BCGP. BCGP’s clients include every branch of the United States armed forces and those of more than 20 foreign nations, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. National Park Service and the FBI. Visit www.brunswickcgp.com.

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touchscreen display gives captains seamless access to their HD radar, fishfinder, chartplo<er or any other navigational tool. For more on Raymarine’s lineup of marine electronics, visit www.raymarine.com.

Before You Launch… When the summer boating season begins, it’s easy to get lost in the thrill of being on the water again. But it’s an important time to remember onboard safety and how to protect your Boston Whaler at the end of the day. Be sure your vessel meets all safety standards (for information on free safety checks by the U.S. Coast Guard, visit www.uscgboating.org/safety), and understand and obey navigational rules. To prevent the? a?er docking, never leave the key in the ignition, secure your boat properly (whether on the water or on a trailer) and install an anti-the? alarm and tracking system. Finally, check the status of your boat insurance policy so you can rest assured the whole season long.

For a free quote or to learn more about Progressive’s boatcoverage options, visit www.progressive.com or call Boater’s Choice Insurance—an authorized Progressive agent and one of the most trusted names in marine insurance—at (800) 768-2121.

Experience the Shady Side of Boating

The SureShade automatic sunshade system contributed to the 370 Outrage winning a National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Innovation Award at the 2010 Miami International Boat Show.

Automatic SureShade system on 370 Outrage

Manual SureShade system on 285 Conquest

Keep your cool while cruising, fishing, or lounging with the SureShade® retractable sunshade system. SureShade provides hassle-free shade on-demand® for sun protection, comfort and convenience.The SureShade’s integrated, self-supported framework design looks like a natural extension of your boat and won’t get in the way of fishing rods.The robust framework can sustain 50-mph winds, allowing the shade to be deployed at any time, even when your boat is underway. Automatic (as shown here on the Boston Whaler 370 Outrage) or manual shade deployment options are available enabling a shade solution that fits every budget.

SureShade is an available option on all types of new and used Boston Whaler boats.

For more information, visit www.SureShade.com or contact a Boston Whaler dealer at www.whaler.com.

whaler

adventure

A Perfect Storm A Whaler returns two men from the clutches of the raging sea with nary a scratch

Story by Elli Thompson

the bay of fundy has a bad temper. Like a toddler happily playing one minute and suddenly screaming the next, this bay might act up at any moment. Situated between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Canada, the Bay of Fundy has one of the highest tides in the world. More water flows through it during one tide change than all the freshwater rivers of the world combined. Pair this monstrous fact with the area’s notoriously hard-to-predict weather, and you have a serious force to reckon with. Art Gaetan learned this firsthand, and without the rugged strength of his Boston Whaler 190 Montauk, things could have turned out much worse. For as rough as the Bay of Fundy can be, it’s also fiercely beautiful and home to a startling array of wildlife. So if you can find just the right window of time, getting out on the water is worth it. Art had his eye on the bay as a place to gather research for one of his businesses, Oceans Wild— an educational company that tours schools around much of eastern Canada and teaches children about marine life. Art was on a mission to satellite-tag porbeagle sharks, and although he and his buddy Dave Dogget specifically planned a trip to coincide with a predicted three-day patch of calm weather and smooth seas, they ended up with a big shock. Art and Dave left the dock around 6 a.m. in complete darkness. As the sun rose higher, the sky turned bright blue, the temperature climbed and the water became the picture of calm. It was turning out to be a spectacularly gorgeous day for mid-September. As Dave lathered on the sunscreen in the middle of the afternoon, ominously dark clouds appeared over Nova Scotia in one direction and New Brunswick in the other. Soon, the two men were battling with a porbeagle shark that was stubbornly hiding under their boat. After 45 minutes, they successfully tagged it, a victory for Oceans Wild research. But as evening set in, their good luck began to change. “I just had this feeling something kind of wasn’t right,” says Art, who began fishing at the age of 5 and served in the Canadian

| Photos by Jim Gallop

Navy for 20 years. “I felt a couple of puffs of rain, and I told Dave to reel everything in and throw it back into the boat.” Soon wicked winds and pelting rain bombarded them. Darkness fell over the sea just as the storm came to a head. The winds and the bay’s racing current collided to produce massive crests of water, and the men had to rely on their ears alone to sense the next impending wave to crash against the Whaler. “It was like someone putting you in a closet and closing the door,” Art says. “You could put your hand two inches from your nose and not see it.” Both had on floater suits and debated calling the nearest search-and-rescue team. But even as the piercingly cold water filled the boat up to their knees— and sent most of their gear out into the vast unknown—they concluded that they were on their own. It would take longer for a crew to find them than to inch their way back by themselves. “It was a matter of survival at that point,” Art says. After four and a half frightening hours of enduring a constant barrage, Art and Dave finally reached the shore— soaked, cold, tired and relieved. Car headlights lit up the shore like lightning bugs, as many of the locals had driven out to the shoreline to look for them. “When we got the boat in, I hopped off, bent down and kissed the wharf,” Art says. Although Art could take some of the credit for the safe return, thanks to his extensive experience navigating rough seas, he gives it all to his “Unsinkable Legend,” which handled the near-disaster with muscle. “The only reason we made it back was the Whaler,” Art says. “I used to think, there are a lot of other boats out there. But I can vouch that there probably aren’t. I fully expected to see cracks when we got back, but it looked like it was straight out of the factory. It’s a comforting feeling to know that you’re standing on something that, no matter what happens, is going to float.” Art’s story is shared by countless others who have found themselves in rough waters or wild weather and, thanks to a trusty Whaler, have returned to shore safely. If you’ve got a Whaler tale, write to info@whaler.com.

Art (le#) tags a porbeagle shark and Dave fishes in the Bay of Fundy before wicked weather has them fighting to make it back to shore in one piece.

Darkness fell over the sea just as the storm came to a head. The winds and the bay’s racing current collided to produce massive crests of water…

vol. 1, issue 1

www.whaler.com

whaler

adventure

A Perfect Storm A Whaler returns two men from the clutches of the raging sea with nary a scratch

Story by Elli Thompson

| Photos by Jim Gallop

Art (le#) tags a porbeagle shark and Dave fishes in the Bay of Fundy before wicked weather has them fighting to make it back to shore in one piece.

Darkness fell over the sea just as the storm came to a head. The winds and the bay’s racing current collided to produce massive crests of water…

vol. 1, issue 1

www.whaler.com

whaler

quality

Outrageous Obsession Wil Rogers is the go-to guy for Whaler’s large boats, and he’s at your service Story by Jennifer Chesak | Photos by Bill Schild

when you buy a large whaler, you not only get a

great boat, you get access to a great phone number. Jangling the keys to the new 370 Outrage, for example, also earns you the business card of Wil Rogers, Boston Whaler’s large boat business manager. “Call me if you have a question or a problem,” he says. “It’s my cell phone, and I always pick up.” Wil, an eight-year Whaler employee, goes on to tell the story of a time when an owner—a doctor—had called him. “I could tell that he was doing something really important, maybe even surgery, by the sounds in the background,” he says. “I assured him, ‘If you need to concentrate, I can call you back.’” The owner insisted on continuing the conversation, Wil remembers with a laugh. “I answered his questions about the boat he wanted to buy, and he was able to make an informed decision.” Wil’s story goes to show just how seriously Whaler owners take their boats, and therefore why Boston Whaler has incorporated so many serious innovations into the 370 Outrage. The largest of Whaler’s line, the 370 is ideal both for offshore fishing and for onboard entertaining. The boat brims with cool features for all sorts of activities, but the three that stand out the most are a large “garage” (perfect for rods, dive tanks, shore power cables, etc.) that when closed is a comfy, forwardconsole sun lounge; a summer kitchen hidden in an optional leaning post, which—by the way—can be covered by an optional SureShade® automatic sunshade system (see more about SureShade on page 5); and a unique portside walk-through dive door that opens inboard. Those incredible features are responsible for the 370 earning awards like the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Innovation Award at the 2010 Miami

International Boat Show and the 2010 European Powerboat of the Year Award. The 370 obviously learned a thing or two from its kid sister, the 320 Outrage, which earned a spot on Boating magazine’s Best Boats of 2010 list. Clearly, the 370 Outrage is raking in accolades from around the world, but rave reviews mean nothing if the very owners who take the helm aren’t satisfied with every aspect of their experience. Enter Wil and his trusty cell phone. Whaler introduced the Large Boat Strategy to aid dealers and customers with questions related to the 370 Outrage and the 345 Conquest. Wil’s job, aside from assisting customers over the phone and in person, is to educate dealers. He teaches salesmen about all of the features, helps dealers with stocking and makes sure their service teams know the intricacies of servicing the 370 and 345. “Rest assured,” Wil says, “we’re here for you. We’ve got your back.” He develops a relationship with Whaler’s large-boat customers so they feel comfortable calling him in the middle of the night or from the middle of the ocean if they have a question. He stresses that he’s met 80 percent of those customers in person and is hard at work making that number 100 percent. Wil knows every inch of both boats, having lived and fished on them for extended periods of time. Before making a delivery, he often spends a weekend onboard inspecting the boat from bow to stern. In fact, when it comes to the 345 Conquest and 370 Outrage, Wil is borderline obsessive. “I’ve even read the owners manual cover to cover right before going to bed several times,” he says. And his cell phone has always been right there next to him, just in case.

Boston Whaler’s Wil Rogers stands before a boat he knows well, the 370 Outrage. Based at Whaler’s Florida production facility, Wil is always available to inquisitive customers.

“

”

I’ve even read the owners manual cover to cover right before going to bed several times.

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whaler

quality

Outrageous Obsession Wil Rogers is the go-to guy for Whaler’s large boats, and he’s at your service Story by Jennifer Chesak | Photos by Bill Schild

when you buy a large whaler, you not only get a

Boston Whaler’s Wil Rogers stands before a boat he knows well, the 370 Outrage. Based at Whaler’s Florida production facility, Wil is always available to inquisitive customers.

“

”

I’ve even read the owners manual cover to cover right before going to bed several times.

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The

Action Hero Built for the do-it-all boater, the fully customizable 170 Super Sport is ready for anything Story by Nick Weldon

â&#x20AC;˘ Photos by Bill Schild

The

Action Hero Built for the do-it-all boater, the fully customizable 170 Super Sport is ready for anything Story by Nick Weldon

â&#x20AC;˘ Photos by Bill Schild

“As the Super Sport models grow, not only do they get roomier, but they also have the ability to support more activities.”

ey call it the Whaler Smirk.

Created by carrying the chine line higher and wider around the bow, the smirk—an original Boston Whaler innovation still employed today and seen clearly on the hull of the new 170 Super Sport— provides a dry ride and exceptional handling, especially through rough chop. “It’s an old saying they must’ve started back in the ’60s and ’70s to describe the look of the hull,” says Charlie Foss, a designer at Boston Whaler and the creative brains behind its unique, versatile Super Sport line. “If you look at the boats from the front, it’s like they’re smirking at you.” e word “smirk” can sometimes carry negative connotations, but in the case of the 170 Super Sport, that telltale grin signals an enticing mixture of conﬁdence, capability and sense of adventure. “We wanted the boat to look a bit sexy,” says Ron Berman, Whaler’s vice president of product development and engineering. “It needed to exude excitement on the water, at the showroom or just sitting on the trailer. e lines of the boat are more dramatic than the conservative looks of the past. We tried to emulate something you’d walk up to and go, ‘Wow! at’s a good-looking boat,’ while still maintaining the core brand principles of building a superior quality, unsinkable and legendary boat.”

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What sets the design of the 170 apart is its length, which accentuates the characteristic verve of the other Super Sport models. “e extra feet help emphasize the lines of the boat,” Charlie says. “e proportions are even better. And we added a subtle curve to the design to give it an even sleeker, faster look.” But the 170 is more than just a looker. Standard deck and cockpit features include welded stainless steel side rails, a bow locker with fiberglass cover and overboard drain, a heavy-duty rub rail, transom boarding steps, a swim ladder and a portside storage compartment with mesh retaining net. e console offers even more storage— including a dash glove compartment and a watertight Pelican Case with a spot for your cell phone—not to mention its side-mount Mercury Boston Whaler’s unique Super Sport program allows owners to completely engine remote control, stainless steel customize their boats with easy-tosteering wheel, fiberglass helm bench install features to suit their boating lifestyle. See page 12 for more details. seat with two beverage holders and a console side seat cooler. e 170 comes with a standard 60-hp FourStroke Mercury engine, plus dual sixgallon portable fuel tanks, navigation lights and no-feedback steering. Even more impressive is its host of upgrade options. A wide-open, practical layout common among the Super Sport line facilitates the endless possibilities for accessorizing and outfitting the boat to meet your exact needs. “As the Super Sport models grow, not only do they get roomier, but they also have the ability to support more activities,” Ron says. “We’ve developed a line of accessories that can be easily added to the boat by the dealer at the time of purchase or as upgrades afterward.” e “Buy Super Sport Accessories” section on Boston Whaler’s website allows customers to view all the customization options, buy them and have them shipped to their local dealer. “e idea is that maybe they buy the base boat today,” he continues, “but in six months they want a color wrap or sport bucket seats. We make it easy to upgrade throughout the life of the boat.”

“As the Super Sport models grow, not only do they get roomier, but they also have the ability to support more activities.”

ey call it the Whaler Smirk.

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Fun comes standard with the 170 Super Sport, but for a list of upgrade options, visit www.whaler.com.

The range of options available on the 170 allows customers to transform their boats to fit their personalities, whether they want maximum comfort, a fisherman’s best friend, the ultimate watersports machine or some combination of these things. “The Super Sport family of boats is designed for a wide variety of applications,” Ron explains. “The 170 is a natural extension of this line. At its size, it can accommodate more storage and handle more speed, as well. It’s a multipurpose boat.” Seating options include simple snap-on cushions, a helm seat with hinged backrest, and deluxe sport bucket seats that can easily turn 1 0 degrees so that when pulling a water-skier, the driver can face forward while the spotter looks aft. Additional comfort options take advantage of the 170’s unobstructed, open layout. These include a bow cushion that overlays the anchor locker and a large sunpad filler system that runs from the bow all the way back to the cooler. Anglers can equip the 170 with a bow-mount fishing seat, clamp-on rod and tool holders, and a carry-on livewell. Perhaps the most exciting advantage to the increased size of this grinning beaut is its capacity for full-throttle watersports action. With the optional 90-hp FourStroke Mercury engine, the 170 can top 47 mph; and adding an optional ski tow or tow arch (with or without bimini top) to the formula delivers some serious wakeboarding or water-skiing. Opt for a stereo with speakers, and you’re set for a fun-filled day on the water from start to finish. Although its edgy design and high-energy features will surely appeal to a younger boating crowd, Charlie has seen that the 170’s broad functionality and array of custom options make it resonate with just about everybody. “What’s been actually quite surprising to me is the age range of people who have had a positive reaction to it,” he says. “We’re finding that in addition to interest from younger

customers, there are also many grandparents who want to take the grandkids out on a Super Sport.” Simply put, the 170 is a prime-time performer. It bests three of its top competitors in the market with superior top speed as well as better fuel economy at optimal cruising speed. “It’s economical to operate, purchase and own in the long run, and Whalers have fantastic resale value,” Ron says. “e 170 is purposefully engineered to provide the basic features needed for a great day on the water.” And a great day on the water is bound to put a smile on anyone’s face. In the case of the 170 Super Sport, you could call it a Whaler Smirk.

Fun comes standard with the 170 Super Sport, but for a list of upgrade options, visit www.whaler.com.

stuff ofof legends

â&#x20AC;˘

Boston Whaler rememBers the man Who Brought fame to the unsinkaBle Boat

Story by Jennifer Chesak

stuff ofof legends

â&#x20AC;˘

Boston Whaler rememBers the man Who Brought fame to the unsinkaBle Boat

Story by Jennifer Chesak

By definition, a legend is a historical account— often one that can be hard to believe and gathers momentum like a wave. When Richard Fisher built the first Boston Whaler in a shed in his backyard with friend and naval architect C. Raymond Hunt, they engineered a legend—a boat that could withstand not only rough waters, but also the waves of disbelief that began to circulate. His 13-footer made its debut at the Boston Boat Show in 1958, and the stories of its indestructibility began to roll around the world. This revolutionary vessel could hold 10 passengers without sinking, people had begun to say. The stories grew. It could remain afloat after 1,000 rounds of automatic weapon fire were pumped into its hull. Really? The legend went on: It was a boat that would not go down even after being sawed in half. Come on, that can’t be true! Richard proved his boats’ unsinkability to the world by being pictured in Life magazine in 1961, and the stunning photos made Boston Whaler famous. Life featured Richard sitting in the stern of a Boston Whaler while a diver used a bucksaw to cut the boat in half. He was then photographed casually using the stern to tow the bow back to the dock. A Harvard grad, Richard ran an electrical manufacturing company—also out of his backyard shed— with business partner Bob Pierce. In his spare time he had pioneered a revolutionary production process called Unibond™ that produced what is now known among boaters everywhere as the “Unsinkable Legend.”

A Whaler’s unique hull design provides unsurpassed flotation, stability and rigidity, which deliver the ultimate peace of mind out on the water. Despite the unpredictability of the sea and the harsh marine environment, Whalers are truly indestructible.

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He had pioneered a revolutionary process called Unibond that produced what is now known among boaters everywhere as the “Unsinkable Legend.” “First, the boat was pure brilliance, and then the magazine photo was pure brilliance,” says Ben Cast, vice president of sales, marketing and customer service at Boston Whaler. “It’s an extraordinary image and a testament to the value Richard had placed on quality construction and safety. Anytime someone asks me why they should choose a Whaler, I show them that photo.” Although Richard’s 13-footer appeared lighter than air, it was in fact as rock solid as the legend he had just cemented. Unibond—still employed today—involves the sandwiching of two fiberglass skins to create the Whaler’s hull and deck. Liquid foam is then injected in between. As the foam expands and hardens, it fuses to the fiberglass pieces to form a single, inseparable unit. The confined expansion space causes the foam to become very dense, which provides strength, rigidity and unsurpassed flotation. Today’s Boston Whalers have more than double the amount of foam required to meet Coast Guard standards. Every bit of space in the Unibond hull is filled, right up to the gunnel. This not only provides a protective, level ring around a Whaler’s passengers, but also delivers sound and vibration absorption and increased durability. In addition to the bucksaw stunt, Richard drove his Whaler up rocky rapids to showcase its strength. The lore lived on. Stories flowed

in about a Whaler accidentally going over Niagara Falls without suffering a scratch and a Whaler that had returned from 30 miles offshore with a 3-foot hole in it—still afloat, of course. Richard had designed his boat with three keels as opposed to a more common V-hull. The hull had slowly evolved from a two-keeled design when it was originally modeled after a boat called the Hickman Sea Sled. Testing had revealed cavitation problems, however, and Richard added the third keel. The extra keel provided better performance, maneuverability, load capacity and serious stability. A man could perch himself on the gunnel of a 13-footer, if he so desired. “At a time when fiberglass boats were just gaining popularity,” Ben says, “Richard came along and built a vessel that had advantages on every front: The first Boston Whaler was strong, rigid and light, and to this day, the company keeps those very design footprints at the forefront when creating each new model.” Later, Boston Whaler added a wraparound bow chine referred to as a “smirk,” which enhances handling and speed and offers an even drier ride. The three-keeled design evolved into a twin-sponson design, which is used on the current Sport and Montauk models. These models deliver superior stability, shallow draft and optimum performance with minimal horsepower. The Accutrack™ hull design of the

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Dauntless and Conquest lines has a deeper V entry for slicing through unruly chop or offshore swells. Reverse chines provide superior recovery, stability and a dry ride, and the Outrage model sports the sharpest V entry for incredible offshore adventures. “Thanks to Richard’s early efforts and the dedication of our designers and engineers today, Boston Whalers are some of the most sought-after boats on the water,” Ben says. Almost immediately, the U.S. Government recognized the merits of Whaler vessels. The company provided military and commercial boats in the 1960s, and in 198 Boston Whaler launched a government and commercial division to complement its recreational sector. Boston Whaler Commercial & Government Products—incorporated in 001—eventually expanded to include other Brunswick Boat Group brands; the outfit changed its name to Brunswick Commercial & Government Products, but steady demand continues for sturdy Boston Whalers. They are used for fire and rescue, homeland security, military combat and law enforcement. The image of men in uniform using Whalers to do their jobs showcased just how high Richard had set the new benchmark for vessel safety and reliability. Richard continued his pioneering efforts by introducing the first center-console design. Moving the helm from

Richard Fisher created a legendary boat in 1958 and became a legend himself for the unprecedented ways he demonstrated its unsinkability. Each Whaler built today is constructed with the same care and quality that Richard put into that very first boat, ensuring that the merits of safety and solid engineering run from bow to stern.

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Whalers are renowned for their safety and performance, no doubt, but they are also recognized for their iconic style.

starboard to the center of the craft delivered a roomier, more versatile layout while further increasing stability and control. Whalers are renowned for their safety and performance, no doubt, but they are also recognized for their iconic style. Richard made every attempt to create a top-of-the-line boat, but he didn’t stop after building safety and performance into that very first vessel. He clearly wanted to present a boat that had style to match its construction quality. Molded, custom-fit railings and oversized, through-bolted lifting eyes provided extra strength, while mahogany seats and consoles and stainless steel fittings added a classy element to a boat that was destined to become a classic. Whalers of today honor Richard’s tradition of top-notch finishing touches. Corrosion-resistant, 316-L stainless steel hardware, such as bow and stern eyes, latches, hinges and bow rails, stand up to the intense marine environment. Latches and hinges are molded and recessed, and hatches are finished on both sides for ease of cleaning. Even the bilge has a smooth, molded gelcoat surface. Indeed, Whalers are nice-looking boats. It’s a shame the company keeps cutting them in half—only now with chainsaws. Richard built the very first Unsinkable Legend, but each one that comes off the Whaler line, be it a Super Sport used for family fun or an Outrage for fishing, becomes a legend in its own right. The owners at each helm make it so every time they shove off from the dock in pursuit of a new adventure.

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Whalers are renowned for their safety and performance, no doubt, but they are also recognized for their iconic style.

Boston Whaler oWners, dealers and staff gather on the texas coast for fishtopia, a celeBration of family, fishing and the freedom that comes With oWning an UnsinkaBle legend

Story by Elli Thompson Photos by Steven J. Conway and Jennifer Dunlap

a toast on the coast

Boston Whaler oWners, dealers and staff gather on the texas coast for fishtopia, a celeBration of family, fishing and the freedom that comes With oWning an UnsinkaBle legend

Story by Elli Thompson Photos by Steven J. Conway and Jennifer Dunlap

a toast on the coast

The sun began to slip below the horizon, country music floated through the air and a hearty spread of Texas-style food lay before me—complete with shrimp, grilled corn-on-the-cob and margaritas. A strong, cool breeze off the Gulf of Mexico whipped through the clubhouse patio at The Sanctuary at Costa Grande, where couples and families mingled around, trading stories about their Boston Whalers and their fishing outings on the bays and lakes of Texas. The inaugural FishTopia Signature Event, a new annual celebration of the Boston Whaler lifestyle, was off to a fun-filled start, and I was ready to enjoy myself long into the night. Until an hour later, that is, when things started winding down and people began heading back to their hotel rooms in Port O’Connor, the small fishing village just a few miles from The Sanctuary. One of the partygoers asked me: “So, what time will you be here tomorrow for the fishing tournament? 6 a.m. or earlier?” Earlier than 6 a.m.? Excuse me? That’s when I realized that this event truly did encompass the Boston Whaler lifestyle. For as much as Whaler owners are about family, fun and relaxation, they also like to get out on the water for some down-and-dirty fishing. “FishTopia isn’t like other hardcore fishing tournaments, but we’re more than just a social event,” said Ben Cast, vice president of sales, marking and customer service for Boston Whaler. “We’re right in the middle, and everyone can have a good time.”

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Fishermen of all ages (as well as some furry friends) bring in catches for the leaderboard—from John Brodrick’s 30-pound stingray (far top le5) to Logan Gordon’s redﬁsh (below). John Ward, president of Boston Whaler, and Rod Malone, president of Sail & Ski, celebrate with Javier Arguello at the awards ceremony (right).

“I said, ‘Dad, let’s just spend a day out on the water.’ And then voilà! FishTopia came up. It was perfect.”

Boston Whaler staff members dreamed up the idea of FishTopia last summer, envisioning a single event that would bring together the Whaler community. Realizing the widespread scale of this group, Whaler developed FishTopia into a summer-long series that will take place around the world—from locations across the U.S. to some overseas, including a stop in Fano, Italy. Each event has its own design and schedule of activities, but the central focus remains the same. In fact, in an effort to connect these far-flung communities, FishTopia is offering a unique virtual weigh-in on its website, www.fishtopia.net, where anglers can upload photos of their biggest catches and compete with other Whaler owners from waterways across the globe. “e virtual weigh-in is a great way to allow those who can’t make it to an event to still be a part of the FishTopia experience,” Ben said. “Anyone from anywhere can compete to win.” Although a few of the more adventurous fishermen at the FishTopia Signature Event in Port O’Connor did venture out on the water at dawn,

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most in the group headed out mid-morning as the sun began peeking from behind a layer of soft, gray clouds. Kids’ Camp—full of arts and crafts, a pool party and a mini ﬁshing tournament—began at nine. John Ward, president of Boston Whaler, and Rod Malone, president of Sail & Ski, made sure activities involved both kids and parents, stressing that family lies at the heart of Whaler. “Sail & Ski has had a blast being a part of FishTopia,” Rod said. “We’ll jump at any chance we get to enjoy a day of boating with our customers and their families.” Matt Butler, host of the popular “Great Outdoors” program on Austin’s AM 1 e Zone, couldn’t have agreed more. He relished the opportunity to promote outdoor fun among the younger generation while he broadcast his show live from e Sanctuary’s grounds in the company of the early-risers. “at’s my job—to get kids back into the great outdoors,” Matt said. “Because of all the video games, you can go ﬁshing on TV, on the

computer. You’re letting your thumbs do the work. Kids should be hooking and fighting real fish instead.” e young ones indeed had their fun under the sun without the assistance of modern technology. And while the youngsters fished from dry land, the older children and adults braved the day’s choppy waters offshore. Liz Ware couldn’t help but show her enthusiasm as she, her father, Dennert Ware, and friend Raleigh Morrison got their poles ready and prepared to head out from the dock in Opa’s Boat, a Outrage named in honor of Dennert, whom Liz’s children call Opa (German for “grandpa”). “I said, ‘Dad, let’s just spend a day out on the water,’” Liz said. “And then voilà! FishTopia came up. It was perfect.” A few slips over, I hopped in a 4 Outrage with Eric Garcia, a salesman at San Antonio’s Sail & Ski, a main sponsor of the Signature Event. As we made our way through the canals and waterways near e Sanctuary, the beauty of the Gulf Coast dazzled from every angle.

Longhorn cattle grazed lazily on the shores. Port O’Connor’s rustic docks and salt-worn fueling stations sprung up before us, showcasing the history of the quaint fishing town. When we neared the jetties, pelicans with their prehistoric-looking beaks swooped to the water as dolphins sliced the surface in pairs, their wet fins glinting in the streaming sun. e near-perfect day was hampered only by fierce winds. Nearing the open water of the gulf, 5-mph gusts created - to 5-foot waves. e 4 handled them with ease, cutting through the crests and charging forward. Despite the waves, not a splash of water landed inside the boat. And, as if my ride wasn’t affirmation enough of the rugged strength of a Whaler, a 7 Outrage, the newest model in the brand’s lineup, passed to port. e 7 ’s triple -hp Mercury FourStroke Verado outboards blasted it off into the distance. For as wild as the water was, “I didn’t feel a thing,” said Mike Dyson, a Sail & Ski salesman who was onboard. (For more on the new 7 , see page 14.)

“I said, ‘Dad, let’s just spend a day out on the water.’ And then voilà! FishTopia came up. It was perfect.”

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Catching some family time: (clockwise from here) Dennert Ware, his daughter Liz and friend Raleigh Morrison out to sea on Opa’s Boat; the trio gets ready to launch; Melissa Smith fishes from shore; three generations of Valuks take a break a5er two rounds of fishing; the Brodrick family docks a5er a successful day on the water; Greg Smith looks for a good spot in Happy Hour; Brandon Puccio shows off his catch at Kids’ Camp.

“FishTopia is about getting together—owners, kids and dealers. It’s about fishing, family and freedom.” e security and strength guaranteed in each Whaler out on the gulf allowed for more focus on the task at hand: catching an awardwinning fish. Frank Valuk, who’s owned Whalers for more than 1 years, opted for fishing in a protected pass of water before the jetties with his son Ken and grandson, Collin (1 ). Using a retractable power pole to secure Frank’s Dauntless to the muddy bottom, they hoped to entice fish running in the tide looking for mullet and shrimp. As the clock ticked closer to noon, Collin was having a good time, if not much luck. “I caught a shrimp,” he joked, holding up his bait. In need of a break from the relentless wind, Eric and I headed in around noon to grab some lunch. As we cruised back to the marina, e Sanctuary gracefully spanned the shoreline, and I could only imagine what it looked like all lit up at night. e development project that started three years ago is near completion. All the amenities—which include a marina, clubhouse and pool—are finished, and building will begin this year on the homesteads spread throughout the property. e only big marina development on the Texas coast, e Sanctuary exists for maximizing family life on the gulf, which made choosing it as the site for FishTopia a no-brainer. “We wanted something for the whole family,” said James Hanson, project director for e Sanctuary. “We’re not going to have the restau-

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rants and activity that people are used to in Houston, San Antonio and Austin. When you get down to the coast, it’s shorts, flip-flops, family time and just enjoying the outdoors.” Having taken a short break, fishermen were ready to get back out on the water to do just that. Knowing where to find the calmer waters, their afternoon proved much more successful. By 6 p.m., all boats had returned to the marina for the weigh-in. Coastal Bend Weigh Team of Hitchcock, Texas, gathered the official results. Charles and Tammy Brodrick and their children, John (18) and Ashley (15), came back with two catches that made them multiple winners. A -pound stingray won John first place in the Wild Card category and the Male Angler award; and a 5.6-pound bonnethead shark won Tammy the Lady Angler award and Ashley the Junior Angler award. A beautiful sunset unofficially marked the end of the first FishTopia, and the smell of fried fish and hush puppies filled the barbecue area— a testament to the event’s success. But even more noticeable was the easy conversation and constant laughter that carried across the evening air. e strengthening of the Whaler community was palpable. “FishTopia is about getting together—owners and kids and dealers,” John Ward said to the crowd. “It’s about fishing, family and freedom. And it’s only going to get bigger and better going forward.”

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m a I n ta I n I n g a l e g a c y Boston Whaler’s unsinkable legend isn’t just a tale already spun. It’s a story retold with each boat that comes off the line Story by Randy Hess

• Photos by Bill Schild

m a I n ta I n I n g a l e g a c y Boston Whaler’s unsinkable legend isn’t just a tale already spun. It’s a story retold with each boat that comes off the line Story by Randy Hess

• Photos by Bill Schild

Imagine the challenge. Boston Whalers have been famously cut in half; they’ve had thousands of rounds of ammunition fired into them; they’ve had massive earth movers parked on top of them; they’ve had their plugs removed and have been loaded way beyond capacity.

all of this without sinking. now, picture that your job is to build 23 models of this, ranging from 11 to 37 feet in length, day in and day out. at’s a lot to live up to. “I can’t imagine doing anything else,” says Rebecca crews, Boston Whaler’s director of manufacturing and plant operations. Rebecca has been with Whaler for 13 years, so she thoroughly understands what customers expect. But instead of causing panic or instilling anxiety, customers’ expectations deepen her sense of pride for what she and all the employees at Whaler achieve every day. “We know how demanding our customers are,” Rebecca explains. “We know the pride they feel owning one of the boats we build, and so that pride crosses over to the employees. From hourly workers on the floor to managers to sales and support people, it’s all the same. Whaler gets under your skin and becomes a part of you.” But still, imagine the challenge. It’s much more than living up to that legend or exceeding expectations. It’s also a manufacturing challenge. no other boats are manufactured like Boston Whalers; so the problems and solutions, the opportunities and successes, are singular, as well. “Our Unibond™ construction process is completely unique, and that presents its own very specific manufacturing requirements,” Rebecca says. If you’ve been to other boat-building plants before, the first thing you notice at Whaler is that the molds for the hull and the inner liner are much larger and heavier. e reason they are so much bigger (i.e., stronger) is these two pieces come together while still in their separate molds, giving them the strength to stand up to the expanding foam that is shot into the cavity in between and fuses them into a single structure. Unibond construction was the flash of genius that struck c. Raymond Hunt and Richard Fisher when they began building Boston Whalers outside of Boston in 1956. If you think of the hull and inner liner of each Whaler as pieces of bread, imagine the peanut butter and jelly being fired in between under pressure, perfectly filling the space and

Every Boston Whaler model benefits from Whaler’s proprietary Unibond construction process. By injecting foam into the closed mold assembly of deck and inner liner (opposite, top), Whaler creates unsinkable boats. Beautiful designs and hands-on a*ention to detail ensure outstanding results.

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bonding the pieces together as a unified and delicious whole. Of course, it’s a great deal more technical than that. But just as PB&J are crucial ingredients to the sandwich, the foam is the pivotal component in a Whaler. How the foam goes, so goes that boat, and the seconds it takes to fill each Whaler with that expanding closed-cell foam is the single most crucial period in that boat’s production. “e expansion of the foam displaces all the available space within the cavity,” Rebecca explains. “e result is an incredible cubic volume of closed-cell buoyant material, which is why Whalers are unsinkable. It also ends up denser than the foam placed in most other boats, which is why ours are so strong.” Whaler uses a more environmentally friendly foam that doesn’t include HcFcs or cFcs as blowing agents. Whaler’s proprietary foam instead uses water, which, as part of the chemical reaction, creates the air bubbles that provide the buoyancy. e foam gun combines two different agents that react with each other just like an epoxy from the hardware store. ere are only 45 seconds to fill the cavity inside the hull before the foam starts to rise. most Whaler models are filled with a single shot from the machine, but some models over 30 feet in length require a “double shot.” “e foam machine is programmed with the specifications for each of our models,” Rebecca says. “We know how much foam should go into that cavity, and if it measures out the right amount, we can be confident we successfully filled and joined the two halves. e amount of foam used for each boat then becomes a permanent part of its hull record.” Inside the cavity where the foam is shot, other proprietary elements unique to Whaler tie the two halves together. Workers pre-place chases for wiring and reinforcement materials like Whaleboard, or “phenolic”—half-inch thick slabs of resin-impregnated material—where cleats and most hardware end up being attached on the finished boat.

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en, when the foam is shot, workers keep their eyes on vent holes in different parts of the mold assembly that allow the trapped air to escape. If the foam has filled and expanded correctly, foam snakes or buttons come up through the holes. after the foam cures and the boat is de-molded, they double-check for trapped air in the hull by tapping it with a hammer, much how you look for studs in a wall, except listening for the empty sounds rather than the solid ones. So obviously Boston Whaler beauty is much more than skin deep, but oh The Boston Whaler manufacturing what beautiful skin! Premium gelcoats facility in Edgewater, Florida, creates the safest boats in the and resins are used throughout, and industry. And with nearly 2 milWhaler employs a cold-press process on lion man-hours without a fiberglass lids, which provides a smooth lost-time incident, those boats are being built in one of the finish on all sides. the hardware is safest facilities in the industry. 316 grade stainless steel, the same stainless used on luxury watches and to clad some skyscrapers. Stainless steel Whaler fasteners are triple chrome plated for additional corrosion resistance and shine. is splendid marrying of form and function extends into each of Whaler’s designs, where ergonomics, fishability and performance do their own shining. It’s not just for their unsinkability that Whalers are the first choice of countless government agencies when they contract for rugged, highutility workhorses.

after 13 years at Boston Whaler, Rebecca knows company employees are up to the challenge of building these incomparable boats. She is proud of the results and now also proud that the plant is rapidly approaching 2 million man-hours without a “lost-time” incident. In July it will be three years since an employee had an accident that caused him or her to miss any time at work. “We have the safest boat in the industry,” she smiles, “and I’d like to think we have one of the safest manufacturing facilities, too. It’s another challenge, but one more place where we set the bar for everyone else.”

th e No t- S o -L i t t l e Ve s s e l

that Could

i n a Bahamian marina full of megayaChts, Boston Whaler’s neW 370 outrage stands out on its oWn terms—performing With poWer and soaking up all the aCtion, sun and fun of a ClassiC fishing shootout Story by Elli Thompson

• Photos by Mike Calabro and David Witty

th e No t- S o -L i t t l e Ve s s e l

that Could

• Photos by Mike Calabro and David Witty

The new 370

powered forward with ease

as Captain Wil Rogers made his way back to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas. That’s an impressive feat, seeing as Wil was up against nearly 200 miles of ocean topped by 5- to 8-foot waves. But it’s even more impressive knowing that the 370 performed at this level right after its five-day stint as a support and hospitality boat for the 30th Annual Bertram-Hatteras Shootout Tournament on Great Abaco Island. Most workhorses need a break after intensive labor. But for a boat built to withstand the toughest conditions, or simply continuous use, the 370 ran as it did on its maiden voyage. “It was a very good trip,” said Wil, large boat business and sales manager for Boston Whaler. “It handled really well in really rough seas. It performed great.” Although a far cry from the rough waters on the ride back to Florida, the sea surrounding the Abaco Islands gave the 370 its own version of a workout. e enticing, crystal-clear expanse ensured the vessel was nearly always on the go, jetting from the shore out to the blue and hitting many of the cays in between. Boston Whaler wasn’t an official sponsor of the tournament, but it offered up the 370 to support staff from sponsor MarineMax, and to take eventgoers out for spins between tournament hours. Each spring, the tournament pits Hatteras Yachts against Bertram Yachts,

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Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas oﬀers a plethora of colorful a7ractions. The red-and-white-striped Hope Town Lighthouse is one of the last Caribbean lighthouses to use kerosene, and the brightly colored sign above displays the distances to faraway locations. But it’s Mother Nature who truly explodes with color—from blue skies to turquoise seas to white-sand beaches.

with the team that catches the heaviest fish over the course of three days taking the top honors. Despite a rainy start this year, the battle raged on. Anglers left shore in the haze of dawn, their towering vessels advancing toward the horizon like a fleet of warships. After hours under the Bahamian sun, they returned mid-afternoon with marlin, sailfish and dolphin for the weigh-in. Great White Too, a Bertram team, reigned supreme over the 26 participating yachts with 900 billfish points. e team of Guillermo Belloso, Guillermo Belloso Jr. and Hernando Hernandez bested runnerup Breakaway, a Hatteras team made up of Dave and Debi Erickson and Jim and Mikki Anderson. With an abundance of mega vessels navigating in and out of the marina, only a sleek, easily maneuverable support boat would cut it. e brilliant engineering and unmistakable muscle behind the 370 Outrage, the newest model in Boston Whaler’s lineup, fit right in. But despite keeping company with large yachts, it did anything but disappear into the shadows. As the brand’s largest model yet, the boat itself was a sight

The new 370

powered forward with ease

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“The 370 is just full of innovation, with so many features you quite literally don’t find on other boats.” to see. And people took notice, asking questions and stealing a peek inside whenever possible. “Everybody who walked by the boat on the dock absolutely loved it,” Wil says. “ey thought it was spectacular and very trend-setting.” e bustling marina and the open water were deﬁnitely the main focus of the Shootout, but the idyllic tropical island oﬀered more than enough to see onshore. Towering palm trees shoot up in the middle of empty white-sand beaches. First-class, state-of-the-art resorts lie just miles from quaint villages still reminiscent of the colonial era. Marsh Harbour is the biggest city in this string of Bahamian islands, but the fact that it has only one stoplight indicates its laid-back and carefree vibe. With minimum hustle and bustle, visitors can easily get around and see the sights—whether it’s the range of resorts, restaurants and bars

that make the island a hot spot, the two golf courses, or the picturesque historical towns. Hope Town, on an island east of Marsh Harbour, garners immediate attention thanks to the red-and-white-striped Hope Town Lighthouse that ascends above its shores. e 120-foot landmark is one of the last Caribbean lighthouses lit with kerosene and speaks to the fascinating history of this part of the Bahamas. In the 18th century, Marsh Harbour became a refuge for hundreds of British Loyalists who fled newly independent America after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. Various landmarks draw attention to this unique history, as well as offer a sober reminder of the slavery that accompanied it. To get a glimpse of the local arts, an artists’ colony known as Little Harbour lies just 30 miles south of Marsh Harbour. Pete Johnston’s Foundry practices an old wax method to create beautiful bronze pieces. e colony is the perfect place to browse a variety of artisans’ works. For those who yearned to feel the spray of the warm sea, the 370 provided the perfect escape and its own awe-inspiring elements. Wil gathered up MarineMax staff to do some offshore fishing of their own. Gliding on the shallow, glassy waters of the Sea of Abacos, Wil took them out to the open Atlantic. e seas east of the Abacos are a fisherman’s dream. Not only teeming with sailfish, dolphin and wahoo, these waters are home to some of the largest blue marlin caught in the Bahamas, with weights hovering around a half ton. Blue marlin also earn

(Opposite) Tournament yachts charge out to sea at the ﬁrst light of dawn for an intense day of ﬁshing. (Here) The 370 Outrage takes a slight breather near shore in between outings.

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(Opposite) Tournament yachts charge out to sea at the ﬁrst light of dawn for an intense day of ﬁshing. (Here) The 370 Outrage takes a slight breather near shore in between outings.

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Despite their natural serenity, Great Abaco and the surrounding islands are known for turning up the heat. A disco-themed party and local band kept the Shootout rocking each night and on non-ﬁshing days.

teams the most points in the Shootout (500). Guillermo Jr.’s blue marlin catch accounted for more than half of Great White Too’s winning points. Although Wil’s crew of fishermen didn’t have the same kind of luck, the afternoon on the water was well worth it, as they had the chance to feel the smooth, solid ride of the 370 and see some of its stand-out attributes: the large sunpad, day cabin and comfortable helm seating. “e 370 is just full of innovation, with so many features you quite literally don’t find on other boats,” Wil says. (Read more about the 370’s features on page 1 .) On non-fishing days of the Shootout event, the tournament organizers provided plenty of entertainment on dry land. Wil ferried people

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over to Baker’s Bay for a picnic on Friday. Baker’s Bay, a developing island community south of the Abacos near Great Guana Cay, features a newly finished marina (complete with 158 slips and concierge services), a club and a Tom Fazio-designed golf course. In addition, Baker’s Landing, an exclusive boutique resort still in development, offers firstclass amenities and a gourmet chef. As Wil pulled up to the island, a local band played Bahamian tunes. Meanwhile, revelers played games and enjoyed a lunch of seafood and burgers, getting some much-needed downtime before the final day of fishing. And in a similar fashion, as night fell each day, several dock parties helped participants unwind. A disco-themed soiree kicked off the tournament, and several social events on Saturday night provided anglers a chance to relax once they were all fished out. After days of constant action, worn from the sea and sun, Shootout participants left Great Abaco exhausted and ready to take a load off. But the same didn’t apply to the 370, of course. After a rigorous few days, it geared up for the long journey back to Florida. After all, who needs rest when you have all the power to get right back on the water and keep going?

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