15' Boston Whaler Rage Jet boat

[saltshaker]

Anyone have any first hand experience with one of these? I am looking at a 1994 with a 150HP Mercury. I'm not sure the engine info is accurate and awaiting additional info. I know these came with 115HP OMC or a 50HP Yamaha. Boat has low hours and always used in freshwater. Stored under cover and only used in the summer months. Thinking this might be a fun tender. I believe it weighs 1200lbs.

 

[ohcaptainron]

Anyone have any first hand experience with one of these? I am looking at a 1994 with a 150HP Mercury. I'm not sure the engine info is accurate and awaiting additional info. I know these came with 115HP OMC or a 50HP Yamaha. Boat has low hours and always used in freshwater. Stored under cover and only used in the summer months. Thinking this might be a fun tender. I believe it weighs 1200lbs.

It is a fun little boat and well made, they do burn lots of gas, the original 115 omc tended to overheated and was somewhat underpowered hence the 150hp, bet it flies.

 

[rhprop]

I just sold a 96 with the OMC for $1700. The only thing good about the Rage is the hull which can be glassed in to accept an outboard and this is exactly what a good number of Rage owners end up doing. The BW hull was not built for a jet drive and they are sluggish, slow, gas hogs with extremely high maint costs.

Rhprop

 

[saltshaker]

Thanks. Just found out it is a 115HP OMC. What would a good, clean FW only boat be worth? It is owned by a boat dealer who took it in on trade. Previous owner bought it locally and had it for 5 years and put less than 100 hours on it. They claim she runs 40mph. Asking $3500 with trailer and cover.

 

[motoryacht lover]

I have research the rages for a while. Go to the hull truth and do a rage search and believe it or not there is some good info. The hull truth is not always a good source for good info but in this instance you will find some. Also look at miami and southwest FL craigslist and ebay and you will find some for sale and that will help you get a feel for the market. The later (98 or so) rages with the mercury engine are considered the best versions. And as some one else said many are mounting OBs on them. Depending on condition 3500 would tempt me. That seems to be a decent price but I would figure in a repower.

 

[Freeebird]

Thanks. Just found out it is a 115HP OMC. What would a good, clean FW only boat be worth? It is owned by a boat dealer who took it in on trade. Previous owner bought it locally and had it for 5 years and put less than 100 hours on it. They claim she runs 40mph. Asking $3500 with trailer and cover.

I have a 14' Rage with a Yamaha 650 Waverunner engine which was only built that one year the Rage was introduced. I've heard bad things about the 115 OMC, so you may want to check around. Unless you're just sold on the Whaler and want a jet, I would look into a Sea Rayder (yes Sea Ray, cough) F16XR which had the Merc V6 175 HP engine. Had one of those too and it was a lot of fun and very stable. It topped out over 50MPH and was very reliable. Some of the later Rage's had the Merc 175 as well, so if the Sea Ray doesn't cut it, I'd hold out for one of those.

 

[Walter P]

I was fascinated with the BW Rage when they first came out but they weigh too much to use as a tender for my Hatt. Now however I am contemplating a crazy project and one of these may be the thing for me. I am thinking of a little project....buying a suitable old hull and removing the decking (maybe) and installing a new deck of teak and holly - ala old Chris Crafts. I know it sounds nuts but isn't being a little nuts a prerequisite to boat ownership? Any comments or ideas/advice?

Walt

 

[Vincentc]

Walter,
Don't know if I would call a teak/holly deck a "little project."

How do you intend to finish your teak deck?

I like my varnished wood swim platform, but it can be slippery. So far I have not found a non-skid whose benfit exceeds the asthetic cost.

How much time are you ready to spend to maintain your teak?

Would the teak go on the outside deck or "inside" floor/deck. How would you edge the wood on the "outside" deck?

I like bright finished wood with fiberglass, but in my experience, less is usually more.

 

[rsmith]

Everyone I've ever seen was blown up. I've rebuilt a couple of the 650 yamahas in waverunners which is not a bad engine but still its a jetski engine. Stick with a outboard.

 

[Walter P]

Vincent...

I am planning to build a small 16 - 19 ft replica (sort of) runabout in the spirit of the old Hackers and Chris Crafts. I would like to avoid the work of building a hull from scratch which is why I am investigating the possibility of using an old fiberglass hull. This project is certainly abitious but I need a good project for my new shop at home. My new shop will be approx 22' X 80' and fully heated and airconditioned so I won't have much weather concerns. As far as maintainance, all the varnished wood would be multi coated with Bristol (2 part poly) which has good UV resistance. The finished boat would be stored in a garage out of the sun and weather as well. I think you can see why I am not concerned about excessive maintainance. At my age the project may never see completion but who cares, the project will provide the pleasure at whatever pace I can provide. I don't drink booze or chase the ladies anymore so this project can fill my time.

Basic thoughts:

16-19 ft, 6 ft beam, jet drive, Teak, mahogany and holly with fibreglass hull (with laminated mahogany veneer)


Walt