Boston Whaler reveals ‘family-friendly’ Super Sport models

Florida-based boat maker Boston Whaler has launched a pair of sub-18 foot fibreglass skiffs featuring new hull designs offering more space and improved access to the water.

Unveiled in the US this week, the Boston Whaler 130 Super Sport is a keel-up, family friendly redesign of the 14-foot LOA side console model. The new hull design includes 50cm of internal freeboard, a battery box with hold-down strap, and a 25-litre fuel tank.

Features added to the shallow draught backwater explorer model include a lockable, water resistant storage compartment and a pair of cupholders built into the console, dual aft swim platforms and a swim ladder, and stainless steel side rails, steering wheel and cleats.

Options include a stainless steel-framed targa top, a cushion-topped cooler bin that doubles as an extra seat, optional colour schemes and accents for the hull, and cushions for the bow that turn the 130 into a shrunken-down bowrider for up to four people.

Power comes from a 40hp Mercury FourStroke outboard with an aluminium prop.

“Remarkably low-maintenance and easy to operate, the 130 Super Sport is the most reliable, user-friendly and stylish skiff on the market, and the most fun,” Boston Whaler said.

The other new entry is the Boston Whaler 160 Super Sport, a 17-foot LOA side console model carrying the same standard features as the 130, as well as a standard-fit cooler box.

It has 60cm of internal freeboard, and twin 25-litre fuel tanks. Standard equipment includes larger bow cleats, a heavy-duty rub rail and stainless steel side rails, and transom boarding steps accessed via the swim ladder.

Powering it is a 75hp Mercury FourStroke engine with an aluminium prop. A 90hp Mercury FourStroke with a 70-litre fuel tank is also available.

One of the options available on both of the new Boston Whalers is Mercury’s Vessel View smartphone app, which turns a handheld device into a virtual instrument cluster. Other options include more comfortable seating for up to six people, rod holders, a removable windshield a ski tow and a targa top.

“We feel confident that boaters are really going to love this next generation of Super Sport,” Boston Whaler sales, marketing and customer service vice-president Jeff Vaughn said. “The 130 and 160 maintain the load-and-go readiness and easy trailerability of their predecessors, while employing strategic design changes and enhanced features that make them better than ever.”