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Hello,

I am a new owner of a Boston Whaler Dauntless 170. I love the boat and have had a ton of fun on it this summer (my background is sailing). I recently went to Montauk for the first time by boat (not ours a friends 33 footer) from Norwalk CT and would like to take the Dauntless. Would you recommend doing this? I believe that if I leave early in the morning and hug the CT coastline there are plenty of fuel options and can cut over when needed.

Any thoughts?

Best,

Esme

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What year might this be?
There may or may not be a difference but we won't know for sure until you give us more info.

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Hi Joe,

I have a 2014 Dauntless.

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OK. Great.

A 2014 Dauntless 170 model.

Different then the 1995 to 1997 Dauntless 17' models.
http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...lbum_id=82

Hopefully someone can help you better now that they know you have a newer model.

I am on the West Coast so I can't help you with your boating location.

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Why not trailer to New London? It's only about 17 miles on the New London to Montauk ferry route giving much more time for fishing and exploring.

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I am on eastern Long Island on the North Fork. Not sure if I would attempt that in a 17 footer. When I was younger (16) I brought my father's Sea Ray 280 Sundancer from Hempstead Harbor to Montauk. It can get kind of rough out there in Gardiner's Bay. I was just there last weekend.

If you do give it a shot I would come around Orient Point through the Plum Gut and then come west to Shelter Island. Cross Gardiner's Bay close to Shelter Island, head south to the South Fork, then east to Montauk. You could even stop in Greenport for fuel and food, and then head across to Lake Montauk.

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That is a long trip in a 17' boat. It could be done, but you would really need to watch the weather.

I have done the trip from Niantic over to Montauk several times in all of my whalers. It is only 7 to 8 miles from the ramp at Mago Point to Plum Island.

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A few years ago I ran my 17' Montauk with my brother on his Dauntless 16' across the sound from Westbrook CT to Sag Harbor. It was a little rough going through the Plum Gut with all the boat traffic but not too bad (the Race would have been worse. It's a long ride but no problem in calm seas.

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Thank you all for the replies! It is fun hearing about your adventures and experiences with your whalers. I may give it a try. My husband thinks I am crazy to attempt this, but I love being on the water and don't mind an adventure. I was thinking of leaving between 4 and 5 am on a calm morning.

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Have you read the book, "Only In America"? it's about three guys who trailered a 17 foot whaler from California to Florida where they launched. They boated up the east coast to New York, through the Erie Canal to the Great Lakes then through the Great Lakes to Chicago then down to New Orleans. Makes a trip from Norwalk, Ct to Montauk seem easy. I'm sure it isn't but many people have made substantial trips in 17' Whalers so it can be done. Just plan carefully, have contingency plans and don't take any chances.

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Damn, I am jealous, I haven't been down there since 2010 with a power boat; the in laws sold a family cottage in Black Point. It is a great area!

I already have a cottage rented for next year, we miss the place terribly . The pictures of my Outrage 21 are in Niantic Bay.

If you are trailering anyway, launch in Niantic. It is a great free public ramp in a protected bay with floats, lots of parking and will cut a ton of time and potential aggravation off the trip. Check the weather, leave early morning and have a good time.

Do you fish?