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SMALL BOAT REVIEWBostonWhalerHarpoonPhoto by Derek AtkinLOA: 17’ 0”LWL: 15’ 0”Beam: 7’ 6”Draft (up): 4.6”Draft (down): 3’ 8”Hull Wt.: 565 lbs.Clearance: 25’Main: 108 sq. ft.Jib: 52 sq. ft.Spinnaker: 150 sq. ft.REVIEW YOUR BOATSOUTHWINDS is looking for sailors who like to writeto review their sailboat — whether it is new or old,large or small. It can include the following:■ Year, model, make, designer, boat name■ Specifications: LOA, LWL, beam, draft, sail plan(square footage), displacement■ Sailing performance■ Comfort above and below deck■ Cruiser and/or Racer■ Is it a good liveaboard?■ Modifications you have made or would like■ General boat impression■ Quality of constructionPhotos Essential (contact us for photo specs)We have found that our readers love reviews by thosewho own the boats — comments are more personal and realAll articles must be sent via email or on discFor more information and if interested,contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com or call (941) 795-8704(If you hate your boat, we aren’t interested — you must at least like it)The Boston Whaler is, of course, the powerboat line thatis found on every waterway in the country. It is knownfor its unsinkable construction and distinctive shape.What was Boston Whaler doing building and marketing asailboat?Old-timers may remember that the brainstorm guybehind the original Boston Whaler powerboat hull was C.Raymond Hunt, a world-class sailor back in the day. He wasan innovator and natural sailor. By the time the Boston Whalerfolks decided to produce a sailboat, Ray Hunt was not part ofthe company, so in 1976, C & C Yachts, a big player at the time,designed the Harpoon, and Boston Whaler built it.The resulting 17-footer was pleasing to the eye, comfortablefor a small boat and characteristically well-built. Yes, ithas the same fiberglass double hull with foam between thatmade the powerboats so rigid. Remember the advertisementthat showed a Whaler cut in half and still floating? While otherwisenot great for that boat, it was an effective demonstration,since it is remembered decades later.There were eventually three designs: the 4.6 Trainer, 5.2Harpoon and 6.2 Weekender, a 20-foot cruiser. But the mostpopular was the Harpoon.Boston Whaler has not built any Harpoons since 1983.They were rather expensive compared to other day sailersof the day, partly because of the robust construction, andpartly because only first-class gear and sails were providedwith the boat.Because they were so well-built, used boats can befound in excellent condition in the Southeast. What shoulda sailor look for in a used Harpoon? Look for damage underthe mast tabernacle, the transom where the rudder attaches36 September 2011 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com