---

I am buying first boat, have 2 kids (ages 6 and 8) and live in Scituate, MA which is open Atlantic (not Boston Harbor or protected water). I want the boat to be family friendly and so I am considering

1) the ride in rougher water for family (leaning toward outrage).

2) In the outrage there are 2 seats low next to the outboard, is that a safe place for little kids to ride (read article talking about rear seats not great as kids can bounce out if gets rough)? also with a 2 stroke engine would that be too noxious?

I like the Montauk 17 for our purposes in terms of layout etc but concerned ride too rough in open ocean shuttling between more protected areas. But I dont like that on the outrage the cooler seat the kids wouldnt be back with me not as easy to see or talk too it seems with the boat configuration vs. the same seating in the montauk... any thoughts would be most appreciated.

---

I don't know of any seats like you mention in the Classic Outrage 18'.
What year are you talking about?

The Montauk and the Outrage 18' have the same exact seating arrangement if they are equipped with the RPS and the cooler seat in front of the console.

Take a look at the Whaler Model Specifications for original photos of the Montauk and the Outrage 18's... The link is on the left sidebar.

---

Given those two choices and the fact that you are always in open ocean then the Outrage would be the better choice. For seating I would have you and your wife standing at the console with the RPS back reversed and the kids on the rps seat. The kids would then sit sideways and each would use a handle to hold on with. This might be okay but not really comfortable for any of you. A Revenge layout may be preferable as far as seating comfort for your young family. By experience the kids love the cuddy layout especially if it gets cold or rainy.

---

I live in Boston & had a Montauk for many years. I kept it on a mooring in well protected South Boston. There were many days, even in the bay, that I wished I had an Outrage when the weather kicked up. You can get beat up pretty good in the Montauk when it is rough.

I personally think that the Outrage will be a better boat for your needs. It has a better ride in the rough stuff & has much more room. Others can confirm, but I believe it has a wider beam than the Montauk. Although I never owned one, I have ridden in a bunch of Outrages. The first time I was in an Outrage 18 I was surprized in the difference of the ride; much smoother than the Montauk.

I have never seen the small rear seats on either side of the motor. These may have been added by the previous owner. It may be a little stinky sitting next to the 2 stroke if underway at very low speeds.

I like having small pasangers ride on the cooler seat in front of the console; you can keep an eye on them at all times.

---

Joe, I think he was talking about the newer Outrage. They have seats on either side of the splashwell.

As far the choice between the 2 boats, hands down the Outrage. I have owned both boats and prefer the Outrage. The Montauk is a great boat and I liked the fact it would fit in my garage on the trailer. It is a great boat for the bay or inshore boating. I know there are plenty of people in here that take their Montauks out into the ocean. 9 out of 10 people that have been in rough water in BOTH boats will say the Outrage will give you a better ride. I have two small kids (4&7) and I feel safer on the Outrage.

---

I agree with Flippa.

Having owned a Montauk and with 2 kids, I would go with a Outrage 18. I sold the Montauk to get a better riding hull.

I know how the water gets snotty and the Outrage 18 has a better ride. You can install a stern bench seat.

On my boat, my 5 year old used to sit on the RPS, facing backwards, but now prefers to sit on the forward cooler (holding on to the sheppard crook rail) since discovering the fun of swell hopping.

Take a look at the personal pages of Outrage 18 owners and you can see what the seating looks like with a bench in the stern.

---

Thanks for all the thoughtful responses. sounds like the Outrage is likely the way I will go, goinng to do a little more research. will report back final decision. most appreciated.

---

crich11,
which version of the outrage and which version of the montauk?

---

If your looking for a boat, 17 or 18, go for the 18 Outrage or if you can find a 17 Outrage thats even better for size in towing and storage, the ride between a Montauk and a Outrage is day and night, Ive owned three Montauks and one 18 Outrage, now I have a 17 Outrage, best of both worlds.
Dont get me worng about Montauks, super boats, just pounds too much for my old bones. But Ive been out in bad weather fishing on a Montauk when everyone else is running scared for home in much bigger boats. Been laughed at by other boat owners about my Montauk and ended up towing them in at the end of the day on the lake. So thats my story and Im sticking too it. Good luck finding your new Whaler.

---

good discussion, thoughts about preference between the 18 outrage and the 18 Dauntless?

---

tommyy47,

It would be much better if you start your own thread so your discussion doesn't get mixed up within this discussion.

This discussion is about the difference between the Outrage 18' and the Montauk 17' I believe although the original poster doesn't specify the exact models. It sounds like he wants to compare the latest Outrage 18' made in 1999 and 2000 which has the Accu-trac hull as opposed to the Classic Outrage 18' hull.

---

Sorry for confusion just to clear up for the Outrage 18, I was referring to a newer Outrage (say 1999). thanks again for the input.

---

No problem as long as we know.

There is no comparison between the newer Outrage 18' with the Accu-trac hull as compared to either the Classic Montauk 17' or the newer Montauk 170 with the Accu-trac hull.

The 1999/2000 Outrage 18' is a much heavier and wider boat than any of the 17' models.

---

I think you should consider bigger for the area you're boating in. Like a 22 classic outrage or the Revenge series. Also, you may want a boat with a head for the family. I've owned Montauks, 17 Outrage, and now an 18 Classic Outrage. I'd go down and talk to the Scituate Harbor Master. They had an 18 Outrage Classic Commercial model, and they could best answer your questions for the local waters.

Kids like to ride by the bow, but you have to make sure they stay safe. I'm not a big fan of the rear quarter seats, but the rear of the boat will bounce less than the bow.

---

crich11,

With kids 6 & 8, you might want to think about a walk-around so that you'd have a cabin. When the kids get tired it is a good place for them to get out of the sun and crash. It would also have a porta-potty.

I have a 75 17' Montauk that my 13yr old son uses and loves. I bot it last year off my uncle but actually borrowed it about 9 years ago. After spending a day on the water, I realized a potty is needed and the cabin was a great way for them to get out of the sun. I also didn't worry about them when they were in the cabin.

Also, two things for me that was always a must. The boat must be accessable from the water. That means is needs to have a ladder that can be deployed from the water, like from a swim platform. And, the WA had to have a bow rail that extended aft of the step to the walkway to the bow that the kids would always be inside a rail.

Just some things I learned from being on the water with my kids.

Regards,
Dave