---

Good Evening-

I have been lurking here for awhile and loving Whalers for decades. This year I will likely but a vintage Whaler and I am trying to learn as much about the different styles as possible. I have just about figured out Montauks and Outrages but cannot seem to find much concise information about Dauntless style boats. Can someone help?

Many thanks.

---

The Dauntless is sort of an in between boat for Cruising and Fishing.

Most of the Dauntless series has a built-in fuel tank as opposed to on deck fuel tanks like the Montauk 17 and other smaller Whalers.

Take a look in the personal page section under models, and look at all the Dauntless models there. They start at 13' and go to 22' I believe.
http://www.whalercentral.com/viewpage...page_id=82

What size are you looking at?

---

The pre-1998 Dauntlesses were dual consoles, now referred to as Venturas. Go to boattraderonline.com and search on dauntlesses to see the various models since the 90's.

---

Here is a photo of a 1995 dual console Dauntless 17' in a members personal page.
http://www.whalercentral.com/infusion...er_id=2076

And here is the newer style (2001) with the center console in a members personal page.
http://www.whalercentral.com/infusion...r_id=10856

If I remember correctly, NOT all pre-1998 Dauntless models were dual console.
This is one area we plan on expanding someday in our Whaler Model section when we have time.
Dauntless
Ventura
Conquest
and any others that are missing here.
Whaler Model Specifications

---

Thanks for these replies.

Joe, I am thinking about an 18 to 21 foot boat primarily for fishing in tidal water. My wife harbors some idea of water skiing, but I suspect that not much of that will happen.

We live on the James River and likely will keep the boat on a mooring off of our beach during the warm part of the year. That time of year the most we have to contend with on a regular basis is a short chop. Nevertheless, the river is three miles wide here and we will get two or three foot waves during a thunderstorm--a worry on the mooring, but with any luck I will not be afloat in that stuff.

We have miles of salt marsh close by and this boat will mostly be used to fish in tidal creeks, marshes and small bays, with a long run being fifteen miles or so.

I have looked at the ads on various sites and am having trouble making out the differences between the Outrage boats and the Dauntless boats based upon the available pictures.

Strictly as a point of comparison, my current prefeence is for an 18 or 19 foot Outrage.

---

balene,

This is a very general statement of the newer Outrage versus Dauntless boats.
The Outrage is more for offshore. It generally has a deeper V and is more designed for fishing.
The Dauntless is more for inshore and does both fishing and cruising along with water sports.

You really can't compare any of the newer series Whalers with the older Classics. They have completely different hulls.

Here are the deck diagrams for 2007.
Dauntless:
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=65

Outrage:
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=67

And just for general comparison, here are the deck diagrams for various models in 2004.
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=63

It's always hard for anyone else to tell you what boat is "right" for you.

You can fish, cruise, or enjoy water sports in any of these models. Just some of these models concentrate on one of those activities more than another model.
Even though the hulls may be slightly different, the biggest difference is the interior layout.
Whatever one you and your wife like best.

---

Thanks, Joe.

This is really wonderful stuff. I am still discovering what things are on this site and where to find them. I see some differences now in the boats and think that I still prefer the Outrage. That said, the Dauntless looks okay for us and you never know where or when you will find an attractively priced boat. I'm adding it to my shopping list.

This site is a great resource. You guys have done a fine job.

---

I have a 1994 15 foot dauntless and it is a single console. i take it out in the bay, and on nice days i go a little ways out into the gulf. It ride better than my dads 19 capehorn. a great boat. The only thing that i would change about it is the on deck fuel tanks, i would like the under deck fuel tanks check out pic

---

I have a 2005 Montauk 170 with I'll be trading in for a Dauntless 180. I really like the Montauk but the creature comforts are few and far between. I sea trailed a Dauntless 180 in the fall and liked it much better. Better ride, storage etc... The boat I'm buying has a Verado 150 on it. The ski pylon is a huge benefit for my son who is into wakeboarding and skiing.

---

Balene,

I like the 18' quite a lot - but lusting after something bigger is natural for us men.

There is a 2003 22' Dauntless 220 at Annapolis Whaletowne. Trailer, covers. depth finder. + head http://www.whalertowne.com/index.asp/index.asp

You can see it on the site under "used boats". I think it's $25K but in this economy....who knows.

I've seen it first hand and had a good snoop aboard. Needs new bottom paint and that's about it.

Here's some personal photos I took for my brother-in-laws interest.

EDIT: removed dead link

The James River would be fun to run on. I'll add it to my list of local places. See you out on the water.