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Aside from the length what is the difference between these two boats?

Some one was trying to sell me a 1971 Montauk. I did not think that there was such a thing. Is the Sakonett as good as the Montauk?


Thanks in advance

Ben

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Welcome aboard WhalerCentral.

You are correct. There is no such thing as a 1971 Montauk.
The first Montauk model was 1973
http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...owstart=20

Actually both models are 16 feet 7 inches in length.
Just the names were changed from 16 to 17 along with a change in the hull shape in 1976.
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...cle_id=100

The 17 hull with the Smirk rides a little better then the 16 Smirkless hull.

See more members models here:
http://www.whalercentral.com/viewpage...page_id=65

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The Sakonett console, if is in excellent condition, would be a major plus if I was considering purchasing a boat of that size and vintage.

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Joe: Regarding the Montauk model year, I have a 1973 Whaler catalog and the Montauk is not shown - only the predecessor Cohasset, which was only made in the 1973 model year..

I have always thought 1974 was the first MODEL year of the Montauk. Of course this would mean that the first boats could have been produced as early as Aug 1, 1973, when Whaler's model year in those times began (5 months earlier). So H.I.N.'s of 1974 model year boats could shown 1973 manufacturing dates. But I have always thought boats are "age referenced" based on model years, not mfg dates.

Or do you have some other info on the Montauks that I am not aware of, such as mid-1973 model year introduction (after the catalog went into print), such as they did with the Outrage 20 of 1978.

Also, having owned a 1971 Nauset/Sakonett for 15 years, and presently a 1979 Montauk with the later hull design, I think the Montauk rides considerably better, although it is not quite as fast top end for a given HP. In addition, in spite of how much I love highly varnished teak and mahogany, I think the Montauk has a better interior configuration with the fiberglass console, RPS and front cooler seat.

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Larry,

Please read the links I have provided many times in the past.
The 1973 catalog did not list the 1973 Montauk and was verified by Boston Whaler along with the HIN number we also have provided.

Many times catalogs have not included some newer models.
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=17

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PS.

I ALWAYS enjoy any and all info with differences there may be in Boston Whaler boats.

See the HIN in the links I gave above or this comment.
http://www.whalercentral.com/viewpage...=172#c4009

Hopefully this will end any doubt?

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Thanks Joe. With that manufacturing date, the first Montauk was a mid-model year offering (2nd half of the 12 month manufacturing year of 08/01/72 - 07/31/73), so technically that would make it a 1973-1/2 model year boat.

So. yes, it is indeed a 1973 model year beginning for the boat.

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Hi Ben:

"Is the Sakonett as good as the Montauk?" Actually, from my perspective, the question should be asked: is the Montauk 17 model as good as the Sakonnet 16 model (note proper spelling)?

I own both a Nauset 16 and a Montauk 17, so I can judge fairly well.

The only thing the two hulls share is the same length of 16 feet 7 inches. Everything else is different include the ride and handling qualities. To list a few things:
The gunwale guard is different
The bow locker size and shape is different
the mold was different with the introduction of the downward facing chine that we now commonly call the "smirk"
The planing strakes are different
The non-skid pattern is different
The substrate plywood used is different
The engine splash well is a different shape
The drain tubes in the splash well are in different locations (one vs. two)

The Sakonnet/Nauset/Eastport 16 hull has better lateral stability and handles a following sea better than the Montauk 17.

The Sakonnet hull is lighter in weight

The Sakonnet with all of its mahogany wood requires much more annual maintenance and care, i.e., canvas covering when not in use, than the utilitarian interior of the Montauk 17.

The colors of the boats are different, of course, and Desert Tan and Outrage Gray color faded less quickly than the interior blue-green color on the Sakonnet.

The teak wood on the Montauk model is superior to standing up in harsh maritime conditions, compared to the mahogany.

Overall, I think the Montauk 17 is a more popular model, certainly it was mass produced in greater numbers than the Sakonnet model.

Montauk model boats hold their value when cared for properly by the owner.