PROJECT 57 - DEPOSIT RECEIVED
Heads up, this is the nicest Classic Boston Whaler that we have seen to date.
This pristine all-original 1969 Boston Whaler Sakonnet was acquired from the family of the original owner in Western Arizona. She has been stored inside under cover for her entire life and hasn’t been registered or used since 2009. This Sakonnet was used predominately in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming for one week per summer and on the Colorado River in Parker, Arizona. She has always been out West in the desert, never seen saltwater and has returned east for the first time since being manufactured at the Boston Whaler Rockland, Massachusetts factory in 1969. She is truly a museum piece, still sporting the original varnish on her mahogany components.
The Classic Boston Whaler 16’ hull was introduced in 1960 and began the center console revolution in the boating industry. Prior to the Classic Boston Whaler 16’ center consoles (Nauset, Sakonnet, Eastport), the center console design did not exist. The Sakonnet (produced 1962-1975) was "a luxuriously practical sport fishing vehicle" according to the catalog. For a $1,070 premium over the bare hull, you received bow and stern lights, a mahogany reversible pilot seat with cabinets, bow casting platform, center console and windshield, mechanical steering, Morse MT-2 single lever engine control, stainless bow rails, bow chock, fire extinguisher, and a red Ritchie Explore Model 15 compass. The popular Sakonnet model outlived its two sisters (Nauset & Eastport) by two model years.
This Sakonnet has numerous factory canvas options to include the original Boston Whaler plastic gas tank mats, mahogany lockable rod box, Wm J. Mills flytop, windshield, forward shelter, side curtains, aft curtain and full mooring cover. The original 1969 heavy duty Green Mfg Co (Salt Lake City, UT) boat trailer is in excellent condition with no rust or corrosion.
This 1969 model is a wonderful example of an all-original Boston Whaler Sakonnet that has not been restored or refinished. Originally rigged with a 55hp Fisher-Pierce (Homelite) 4-stroke outboard, she was repowered in 1986 with a new Evinrude V-4 90hp Variable Ratio Oil (VRO) injection system outboard with power trim/tilt, electric start/choke and full factory OMC gauge package (tachometer, speedometer, hour gauge, trim/tilt indicator). The 90hp Evinrude/Johnson OMC V-4 offers an incredible power/weight ratio and has a reputation as one of OMC’s best outboards ever produced. She is rigged with the original Morse MT-2 single-lever engine control. Since rigged in 1986, the Evinrude has only been operated for just 65.7 original hours as evidenced by the OMC hour gauge on the dash. The 1986 Evinrude is effectively a new engine that has just been completely serviced and runs perfectly. She has never been in salt water and has been well cared for and lovingly maintained.
All original, freshwater Sakonnet models that retain all of their original features and have not been modified or abused, are extremely difficult to come by. This is the nicest 16’ classic Whaler we have seen to date. You will be the envy of the boat ramp, harbor, gas station, etc. This Sakonnet draws significant attention, and we know she will make someone quite happy.