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I'm looking to get my first Boston Whaler for fishing in the NJ area. I think 13' is a good place to start but I'm wondering what model and what options I should be looking for (I'll be buying something used). I'm considering a Dauntless 13 but I don't even know what options were available historically (during the 90s for example).

Any suggestions for an aspiring newbie?

Many thanks.

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Probably need some rod holders for one thing, bait boxes/wells and fish boxes will have to be portable as would tackle boxes.

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I would ask where do you plan to fish? If it's creeks or lakes, that is one thing, but if your planning on going offshore than maybe something a bit bigger.

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I purchased a classic 13' whaler to go fishing in the back bays in New Jersey. Like a previous poster said, you have to add rod holders and there is no livewell. I also would recommend a fish finder. They are great fishing boats. I would also definitely consider the 15' (150) montauk or 17'(170) montauk. These boats usually have all the ammentities a fisherman could want, such as tackle drawers, livewells, rod holders, coolers, etc. I always admired them on the water and at boat shows. They seem the most fisherman friendly of the smaller models. The dauntless is also a great choice. However, I'm an avid fisherman and would love to own a Montauk. If you want to stay in the 13' range, look for an older year. While, the new 130 sports can be used for fishing, they are not as fisherman friendly as the montauks. My recommendation for you is the Montauk.

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I'm planning to fish the bays and rivers, maybe take it around Sandy Hook but only when it's calm. I know about the basics (rod holders and such) but it's more of the details that I'm interested in. Such as live wells - are they all equal? Does having a live well necessarily imply that it's outfitted with a pump for aeration? I've also heard there is some kind of dual battery setup that's good for fishing but I don't know what that's all about. Is it just two batteries, or are there two circuits so the equipment doesn't drain the main battery down and leave you dead in the water?

Is there any info out there I can read up on? Like a white paper on the ideal Whaler fishing setup, or something to that effect.

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If you want all of that stuff, I agree that a 17'er may suit you better, it will not be too big and it will not draft more than a foot or so. I can't imagine cramming aerated live-wells, a few deep cells, on board chargers, etc. etc. in my boat. A battery and a 6 gallon portable tank were enough to get me to start thinking about how to save space.

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Everyone needs to own at least one 13 footer in your life, so you mind as well start with one. You might have other Whalers later on, but your fondest memories will be with your 13. That's just the way it is.

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word

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I have a 13' Sport (2001) that is getting pretty well set up for freshwater and small bay saltwater. It was stock, except for the AM/FM/CD stereo, padded seats and bimini top.

I fished it all last year and thought about everything I needed a long time before adding anything. It now has a Minn-Kota Riptide with copilot/autopilot on the bow with a group 27 AGM battery under the helm side seat. I put in a Pro Mariner dual charging system under the helm. I put a Yeti cooler to which I fastened a three rod holder behind the seat. I am adding a Hummuinbird 798SI GPS/sonar and that should be just about it. All of this is removable to save weight and pull a tube or just rip around a lake.

I love my 13. I caught a few fish last year without all the ammenities. I expect it to be about as good a small boat as you can get this year. I follow a lot of people around that have 17-20' bass, deep vee and john boats. I can fish just about anywhere they can unless the weather gets real nasty.

Big boats are nice if you have a place to keep them and have the time to keep them up.

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If your intention is to fish the Raritan Bay, Shrewsbury & Navesink Rivers, and other areas around Sandy Hook, I wouldn't suggest anything smaller than a Montauk.

Just my opinion. I have been fishing these waters for the past 4 years in a Montauk and am looking to move up to a 20' or 22" Whaler, as there are still too many days where the conditions impact my plans.

Good luck in your search whatever you decide.

Dan

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Sound's to me like you need the "Montauk" model (17') at least. I've pulled plenty of fish aboard the 13' in the Bay, and I fish the Bay in a sport 15', both model's have limited "Real estate" for fishing (I like the casting platform on the 15' but, never get to use it, guest's have a blast though). A little cooler for drink's and an I-talian hero for lunch, a fishing pole, and my tackle box is how "I" like to fly. I bring the little "Capt." w/me (He's 6 yrs old).

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Thanks for all the suggestions and advice, I've been thinking about going to something a tad larger myself. I took a closer look at Dauntless 13 photos and it does seem a bit tight. The Montauk looks like it is designed more for fishing, I'm just trying to keep it small enough to be easily towed and stored in my driveway. Also the Montauks seem to be a lot more expensive. I know this is anathema to this forum, but are the Whalers really that much better than the rest? They certainly hold their value better, but even 10-15 year old boats are still fetching big bucks.

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"Unibond" foam construction makes them "UNSINKABLE", trucks park on top of them and they won't break, 2000 rounds auto. fire didn't sink it, Fire/Police/Rescue dept's use them, These boat's won't let you down, and EVERYONE know's it ;)