Dauntless 15 Hull Weight Variation

[Shickalee]

[Separated from another discussion on different topics--jimh]

[Based on something read] the DAUNTLESS 15 was [manufactured] from 1994 to 1998. The hull weight was listed for [1994 to 1995--always use four digits for years] as 730-lbs and for [1996 to 1998] as 850-lbs.

[Regarding the change in the listed hull weight, can we assume that the hulls of all DAUNTLESS 15] were the same [weight] throughout [the entire production epoch, 1994 to 1998] and Boston Whaler simply updated the weight listed [in their literature] to properly reflect the true weight?

Or, was there a change to the hull weight [of the DAUNTLESS 15 made in 1996 and afterward] resulting in an increase of 120-lbs in hull weight?

[jimh]

[REVISED--third time.]

Regarding the Boston Whaler specification for the hull weight of the DAUNTLESS 15 in the period 1994 to 1998, the main catalogue back cover in those years shows the following weights for a DAUNTLESS 15:

1994 and 1995, Boat Weight (lbs), Standard Model = 730
1996, 1997, and 1998, Boat Weight (lbs), Standard Model = 850

Regarding the Boston Whaler specification for the hull dimensions of the DAUNTLESS 15 in the period 1994 to 1998, the main catalogue back cover in those years shows the following length, beam, draft, minimum HP, and maximum HP for a DAUNTLESS 15:

1994
L.O.A = 15-feet 1-inches
Beam = 6-feet 4-inches
Draft = 9.75-inches
Min HP = 30
Max HP = 70

1996
L.O.A = 15-feet 1-inch
Beam = 6-feet 4-inches
Draft = 9.75-inches
Min HP = 30
Max HP = 75

The only changes seems to be the maximum power increased to 75-HP from 70-HP, and hull weight increased to 850-lbs from 730-lbs.

Since the hull dimensions have NOT changed and the hull weights have changed, there are two reasonable assumptions:

--nothing changed, and the 1994 and 1995 hull weight was in error, or
--Boston Whaler changed the layup schedule on the hull or made some other change in the standard boat that increased the weight beginning in 1996.

[jimh]

[Based on something read] the DAUNTLESS 15 was [manufactured] from 1994 to 1998.

The article in REFERENCE which gives the production epoch for many Boston Whaler classic era boats indicates the DAUNTLESS 15 production epoch was 1993 to 1998. The data in that article comes mostly from records compiled by Boston Whaler through 1997 and with some models having production after 1997 as noted, and from catalogues.

[Shickalee]

Thank you for the info. I originally referenced the CW epoch and the Dauntless 15 reflected that 1993-1998 850lbs hull weight across all model years.

[Shickalee]

I have a recently acquired 1994 Dauntless 15 project boat without engine and my preference is to re-power with an E-TEC 75 at 320-lbs. I want to get pertinent info on the Dauntless 15 to help determine what I may or may not need to do to layout and rig the boat so not to be too stern heavy.

[jimh]

Thank you for the info. I originally referenced the CW epoch and the Dauntless 15 reflected that 1993-1998 850lbs hull weight across all model years.

Heya--good point. I will fix that. The two hull weights are now listed as separate production epochs.

In the process, I found I was in error in a prior post in this thread and corrected my error.

[Shickalee]

Heya--good point. I will fix that.

To be most accurate I would think you would want to note the other differences such as L.O.A., Beam, Draft, etc.

[jimh]

The only difference in the catalogue specifications between 1994 and 1996 seem to be in the weight and horsepower rating. I revised my earlier post to correctly note that. I think I have it correct now.

Boston Whaler's specifications for hull weights have tended to increase on some models over their production run. An initial production of a new model seems to often be listed at a lower weight, then after a year or two of production the hull weight increases. This may reflect a design change in the layup schedule for the hull, and a thicker laminate may have been used in building the hull, adding weight. Or, perhaps the earlier specified weights were in error.

There is really no way to be certain what any one particular hull weighs at the present time. I don't think any get lighter with age.

[jimh]

I want to get [hull weight] info on the Dauntless 15 to help determine what I may or may not need to do to layout and rig the boat so not to be too stern heavy.

If a classic Boston Whaler boat is too heavy in the stern, a good indicator will be the engine splash well drains are submerged below the static waterline at the transom.

Two elements of the boat rigging that have significant weight and can be moved to compensate for too much weight in the stern are the engine cranking battery (50-lbs or more) and the fuel tank (another 40 to 50-lbs).

...1994 Dauntless 15 project boat without engine...my preference is to re-power with an E-TEC 75 at 320-lbs.

Since the boat has no engine on it now, it will be difficult to pre-judge how the E-TEC 320-lbs engine will affect the static trim. My guess: the 1.29-liter three-cylinder E-TEC 75 at 320-lbs may be too heavy. Consider as lighter engine choices the E-TEC 60-HP 0.86-liter two-cylinder engine at 240-lbs or a Yamaha F70a 1.0-liter four-cylinder engine at 253-lbs.

[Shickalee]

Since the boat has no engine on it now, it will be difficult to pre-judge how the E-TEC 320-lbs engine will affect the static trim. My guess: the 1.29-liter three-cylinder E-TEC 75 at 320-lbs may be too heavy. Consider as lighter engine choices the E-TEC 60-HP 0.86-liter two-cylinder engine at 240-lbs or a Yamaha F70a 1.0-liter four-cylinder engine at 253-lbs.

Since I already have the E-TEC 75, I will plan to move batteries and fuel tank forward, then see if I am comfortable with the waterline and splash well drains. If stern weight is not acceptable, I would go with the Yamaha 70 before I dropped down to a two-cylinder E-TEC 60. Thanks again for the information and feedback.

[Shickalee]

There is really no way to be certain what any one particular hull weighs at the present time. I don't think any get lighter with age.

True, hulls with foam tend to get heavier not lighter. I will weigh the hull.

Not knowing true hull weight for sure from the factory, floating the boat rigged is going to be the best test to see of it sits in the water stern heavy.

[biggiefl]

I wonder if they used a no option boat for weight in the early days and then changed it to what it would weigh with all options as to err on the side of caution for towing liability by owner. Aka...according to Whaler I was not overweight, etc.

[jimh]

Further on the quest to deduce the present hull weight from published data and to infer if an engine weight of 320-lbs will cause the static trim to be "too stern heavy":

There is a fundamental obstacle in this search: Boston Whaler did not publish any specification for maximum engine weight for boats produced in the classic era. I don't know the precise date when they began to list a specification for maximum engine weight for recreational boat hulls, but it was probably c.2002. Any DAUNTLESS 15 from 1993 to 1998 would not have a specified maximum engine weight from Boston Whaler.

[biggiefl]

Jim I believe you are correct in that I believe they did not start with the weight rating until Brunswick mandated "Mercury engines only" policy in early 2000's. I remember one model had a weight rating of something stupid like 209lbs as that is what their 60hp weighed at the time. Then 2 years later when they offered 4 strokes it was raised to whatever that engine weighed. In my opinion max engine weight is nonsense or else everyone would use it and I assume Whaler would have mentioned it from the beginning of time.

Len Simpson had a 90 e-tec on a classic 15' along with a hydraulic jack plate that probably weighed near 80lbs. Stern heavy is in the eye of the beholder. Many here think a 580lbs 225hp on my 18' Outrage classic is too much yet they were rated for twins which could easily exceed that. Sure having a 180lb 50hp 2 stroke on a montauk is nice as you can pull the plug and the deck stays dry but is it appropriate to say that 180lbs is max or even ideal weight?