Boston Whaler Rage Question

[Sagbay32]

Does anyone have any experience with the 14' thru 18' Boston Whaler Rage?

I was looking into the 115HP or 285HP Jet.

Thank you
Mike

[Fish boy]

Had a buddy that had one and he loved it. Jet engine mounted under the console so lots of walk around room in the boat, and able to get in skinny water. Just be careful sucking sand into the engine. I used to think it just damaged the impeller, but a friend asked me to help him fix his wave runner this weekend. Long story short, the sand/clay got sucked into the water jackets adound the cylinders, blocked the cooling. after pulling the heads and trying to clean out the obstruction, found an exit wound from the block. Apparently the sand came in through the water inlet, and never made it back out throught the exhaust.

[Sagbay32]

Thank you for the info Fish. I was thinking of picking one up for the kids.....looks like a safe boat.

Mike

[smokediver]

mike,
I owned a 18 1996 rage with the 285 horse redline 351 . it was a very well boat . easy to get to the engine, jet-a-vator nozzle american turbine jet . the boat did porpoise alot due to the heavy weight in the back . i believe it had a 55 gallon alum. fuel tank . probably topped out around 45 mph at 4000 rpm. it is heavy but was a great boat.

[Sagbay32]

I cannot find any new Rages, so I'm thinking they stopped making them. I am leaning towards the center con style.

Thanks again
Mike

[pmreed]

I considered the 18 footer a few years back, but the fuel consumption was too high. That's the price of the inefficient jet drive.

Phil

[smokediver]

I think boston whaler quit making the 18 rage in 1998 or 1997 . It was really a ventura model with the back end closed off . It was really a nice cruiser and a good ski boat. I bought mine used with 60 hours on it. I paid 8900 for it and kept it until I found my 16 .