Which Boston Whaler Guardian is for You?
American boat manufacturer Boston Whaler is an icon in boating culture. Founded in 1958, the company manufactures some of the small boat industry’s best, utilizing the most innovative designs and materials since the beginning. Boston Whalers are easy to point out among a sea of boats because of its unique design that was truly the genius of its creator, Dick Fisher. The story of how the unsinkable hull came to be is one that has fascinated boaters for decades now. Boston Whaler’s proprietary designs are unmatched in the industry. Boaters everywhere buy Boston Whalers of all sizes for various purposes. Although largely used as recreational boats, the US Coast Guard and the Navy also utilize Boston Whalers for various pursuits. Boston Whalers come in a variety of models, but one most favored by many boaters is the Guardian. Read on to find out exactly which Boston Whaler Guardian is right for you.
Boston Whaler Guardian
The Boston Whaler Guardian is a commercial model that takes inspiration from two recreational models: the Montauk and the Outrage. Both the Montauk and the Outrage are bestsellers in the industry. They have long provided recreational boaters with everything you could ever look for in a boat—speed, design, durability, ease of use, and so forth. The Guardian is a hardworking vessel that utilizes a center console design and Boston Whaler’s classic unsinkable fiberglass hull. The company’s unsinkable characteristic has become more of a living legend today. It’s a testament to the incredibly brilliant design and technological advantage of any Boston Whaler. The Guardian serves primarily as a workboat—useful as a search and rescue boat or patrol boat. But it’s also versatile enough to be used recreationally. There are two Guardian configurations available for use today, the Guardian 210 and the Guardian 240, but there are plenty of options of older models that still function well today. Are you wondering which Boston Whaler Guardian is right for you? The following options should help you make a decision and get you started on your way to owning one of these boats.
1. 1986 Boston Whaler Guardian
This particular boat is a prime example of how a Guardian can be customized as needed. Almost everything on this boat is custom—from the seat cushions to the T-Top, bow rails, console, and more. Originally an Outrage, this 22’ boat was sent to Brunswick to be refitted into one of only two made by the company for the US Coast Guard. All the wood on the boat was replaced with aluminum for a completely lighter vessel. There’s an added Yellow GelCoat to the hull, an extremely powerful and useful substance that functions as a water barrier. There’s also an added 88-gallon tank for the ultimate workhorse on the water. If it’s good enough for the Coast Guard, we predict it might be good enough for most uses too. This boat can be yours for more or less $40,000—a steal considering it’s one of only two of its kind.
2. Boston Whaler Guardian Sentry
If you’re looking for a dive or fishing boat, this Guardian Sentry is a good option. It has a hinged side door on the gunnel for easy access back on the boat from the water. This 23’ Guardian is smaller than the standard Boston Whaler, but it provides ample of space for any activity you wish to use it for. While Boston Whalers are known to withstand the test of time, many Guardians need replacing of parts due to wear and tear. Guardians are precisely the kind of boats you’d want to take out repeatedly; they’re not the kind that gets to sit pretty in storage. Boston Whaler Guardians are typically custom pieces that are easy to update and upgrade; this Guardian Sentry is just the same.
3. 2014 Boston Whaler Rescue Patrol Boat
There are advantages to newer Boston Whalers that are obvious, but this particular Guardian has just a bit more. Already outfitted as a Rescue Patrol Boat, this boat has everything you could possibly need. It has a solid T-Top and an upgraded center console. There’s a built-in camera on top that can be useful for various purposes. This Guardian is on the smaller side at 19’ in length, but it’s spacious enough to use as a recreational vehicle for fishing, diving, or just boating. As a newer model, everything on this boat works majestically, and Boston Whaler’s warranty proves to be useful. The US Coast Guard has long used Boston Whaler Guardians. It’s a testament to the quality and technology that these boats are known for. If you’re looking for a boat with a great deal of character and history, the Guardian should suit you well.
4. 1992 Boston Whaler Guardian
As the commercial version of the Outrage model, this Guardian is outfitted for recreational use but with the rigor of a workboat. The Guardians from the 90s were solid machines. This 22’ is an impressive boat. It features Boston Whaler’s fiberglass hull and many other factory features that are too exemplary to replace. This Guardian has the original aluminum oem leaning post, original fiberglass oem center console, Bomar aluminum front hatch, and stainless propeller among a few others. The usual things that need replacing—upholstery, rubrails, and the like—aren’t too troublesome for the buyer. However, this Guardian can be upgraded to suit more modern needs. It can handle a stronger motor, larger fuel tank, updated GPS and radio, and all the like. This is exactly the type of Boston Whaler you can rig up to fulfill your boating dreams. The fact that it’s got Boston Whaler’s unsinkable hull is just the icing on the cake.
