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I have a 2002 BW 170 Montauk with a 2003 90HP Merc. She is very clean, includes canvas, trailer, power steering etc. I came across a 1998 BW Ventura for sale and a possible trade. The Ventura only has approx. 20 hours on the hull, very clean, but is missing the engine and trailer. The owner wants $10K for the boat. If I can locate a 200 HP Merc for a reasonable price I am considering selling the Montauk and go with the 20 Ventura. I primarily use the boat in the bay for water sports (skiing, tubing) and also for fishing a couple of miles out in the ocean.

What is your opinion on the 1998 20' Ventura vs. my 2002 170 Montauk? I am looking for the good and bad of both, such as resale, etc. Thoughts?

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heatxcape,

I can't help you on the pricing of the Ventura, but I do have a question about your Montauk.

2002 was a transition year for the Montauk. The Montauks built in the early part of the year still had the same hull as the earlier Classic models. Montauks built in the latter half of 2002 where the new style hull. Both of these models were called the Montauk 170 and NOT the Montauk 17....
However, I still like to refer to the older hull design as the Montauk 17'.... This 2002 year is confusing because they have two different hulls with the same name.

Which model Montauk do you have? The early or later hull design?
This could make a difference in the value of your boat one way or the other.

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I have the new hull design, the dry hull that Whaler used in 2003. the key question, will the Ventura have the same great resale as teh Montauk?

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OK,

You have a late 2002 Montauk 170 with the new Accu-Track hull design.

The Ventura is a good boat and larger of course.
They both have the newer Accu-Track hull.

I would check out your local prices and see what the Montauk 170 is worth in your area.
You don't see too many Ventura's for sale so I am not sure how to determine the value unless you check Boat Trader Online or other similar sources.

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Call me kooky but, I would'nt go through any of our inlets, and out into open water in anything smaller than 22', I have seen 13 footers out there "Hot Rodding" around, and I've also seen the inlet (Jones Inlet), be like glass on the way out, then wind and tide change, and only 55' or bigger can blast through the surf zone to get back IN, a 17 (or 170) is a better bay boat around here, never push your vessel past it's limits, I hear people say "Why don't you bring your 15' into the ocean, it can take it" ... I say "It can take it alright, the ocean takes many things, it's not getting my 15' sport, although I love her, and she's tough as nails, and could go places that most 15 footers would'nt dare go, it's still NOT sea worthy, and is considered just a Tender". I can swim like a fish, and I always wear my PFD, and keep it on, no matter how HOT it gets.

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You know...I kinda felt the same way. I have been in and out of Jones Inlet, and all over the place up there in the Nawth country. now i live in the tropics, and am running a 17 ft. Montauk.

I have come to realize the boat can take a lot more than I ever thought it could. Have had water so deep in the boat it was splashing into the splashwell from the inside. The old Evinrude is above that, and as long as its got what it needs, it keeps running. The interesting part about being scared half out of your wits is that you come through it with the bar raised a little bit. Put a piece of wood in the water. Let the hurricane come. If the wood doesnt hit a rock, it will be the same after the storm as it was before. Our job is to keep it from hitting the rock.

The Whaler aint gonna sink. To quote Ron White, "Thats a real good piece of information to have, right there..."

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I know of a few Montauks that have rolled over and dumped everyone overboard. A couple of the boats I actually knew who was driving and they were very experienced in our offshore waters here in San Francisco. Dont get me wrong I do stupid stuff all the time but the Ocean will humble you if you get a little too fearless. I agree that there is nothing like the feeling you have after getting back after a close call. The bar outside the Golden Gate can be lots of fun.

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I would think that the 20' Ventura would handle the rough stuff better then the Montauk primarily because of the larger beam and overall length.

For resale...You see more Montauks then Ventura's for sale.

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DO NOT SELL YOUR MONTAUK!!! I have a 15' sport and completely disagree with MV. I live in the same area as he does(south shore of Long Island) and have experienced the rough conditions he is talking about. I take my boat out of those inlets(usually moriches inlet) in my 15, to fish for stripers in the rips just past the tip of the jetties. My 15 handles the rough water just fine. Why wouldn't it, its a classic whaler? At the moment I am looking to purchase a Classic Montauk to use in the next couple of seasons. Only reason I am upgrading is I need the extra room the two feet provides as well as the center console. So do yourself a favor and keep your Montauk...If anything upgrade to an 18' outrage.

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"Moriches Inlet" Long Island , NY Chart #12352 (page A) has printed in the upper left corner

"Due to rapidly changing shoaling conditions and existing dangers in Moriches Inlet, it is considered unsafe for mariners to attempt to navigate this inlet at ANY TIME. Boueys are NOT maintained at this inlet"

MW

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The only time unsafe to navigate Moriches Inlet is during a storm. The shoaling MW is talking about mainly occurs in the bay. As long as you stay off the rocks, you are going to be alright. The water may get a little stirred up in the inlet but that does not stop the tons of people out there chasing trophy stripers. I boated 2 40 plus pounders this past fall with countless schoolies returned to grow into those trophies for others to enjoy...although the conditions did get a little uncomfortable at times, there is no way to describe the feeling of boating those monster fish.

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Wow, didn't know we Long Islanders had such great representation on this site. I'm out of the South Shore as well...Freeport. I've been through Jones Inlet with my Sport 15, my classic Montauk, and currently, my Conquest 23. The inlet has gotten much worse over the last few years due to shoaling as you probably know.

I would take my 15' as far as the JI buoy but remain extremely vigilant as to wind and tide. I never had any problems, but I wouldn't want to come back in with an outgoing tide and a wind from the south.

I ventured out a bit further with my Montauk, to some of the off shore (5-7 miles) reefs, and again would be constantly aware of the conditions.

I've been around 15 miles out with my Conquest and made many trips to Manhattan and a few to Fire Island (via the outside). And guess what...I'm still always aware of the conditions and forecast.

Back to the original topic....

The Montauk is a great boat for inshore and near-shore fishing, but I think the Ventura would be a better all-round family boat.

Bill