Boat for Boston Harbor, New England Coast

[damien_boston]

I have an older 21-foot center console boat moored in Cape Cod. This boat has been had too many trips to the mechanic.

I am looking for a smaller, more reliable, and more economical second boat to trailer easily across New England for inshore ocean and lake fishing.

The boat I would buy would mostly be used in

1. Boston harbor,
2. the islands
3. the north shore
4. Rhode Island, and
5. New Hampshire lakes

It would be for one or two adults most of the time, and at some times with my 60-lbs dog included.

I have been looking at classic MONTAUK 17 and 150 MONTAUK. Both have a layout that would work. But I never test drove any, so it is tough to get a feel for them.

I heard about the rough ride of the classic MONTAUK.

Q1: would a 150 MONTAUK ride better than a MONTAUK 17?

Q2: would a 150 MONTAUK Would it be too small if I’m caught in 15-knot wind and three-feet waves?

Q3: would a 150 MONTAUK be too small the middle of boat traffic in Boston harbor?

The 150 MONTAUK dry weight of 1,000-lbs is appealing for easy towing.

[Phil T]

For the New England coast, the models you listed are very small and will severely limit the days that are comfortable to go out.

The afternoon southerly breeze kicks up and the sea state can deteriorate. Fast.

You really pay the price when in a short length overal (LOA) boat. Two feet LOA makes a world of difference.

I would suggest

Montauk 170 if nothing else available.
Outrage 18, 20, 22
Revenge 20, 22
Nantucket/Outrage 190 - My 1st preference

These views come from 12 seasons transiting the Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts coasts from March to October.

[damien_boston]

Thanks Phil, I am mainly trying to limit the towing hassle. My 21ft center console with a 225hp 2 stroke and dual axle trailer is 2100lbs dry weight and the package is close to 5000lbs. I have a honda pilot as tow vehicle and towing this anywhere is a pain. So the 1900-2000lbs of the outrage 19 would not be that different. Maybe the outrage 18 could fit the bill (is it really just 1250lbs?), but repowering with a 150 would cost significantly more than a 70-90hp for a montauk 17, and I already have too many problems with the internal fuel tank of my 21ft boat. So I am looking for something simple and easy to tow.

Would you say the montauk 17 is better than the 150 to ride the new england waters (outside of buzzards bay)? The montauk 170 at 1400lbs may be significantly heavier to tow.

[Phil T]

While the modern 150 has a better hull design and rides smoother, the shorter LOA degrades the ride in rougher conditions.

To limit towing to a Pilot (5,000lb) limit I would suggest, in order of preference:

1 - Outrage 17 II (1996-1999) 1700lb hull
2 - Outrage 17 I (1990-1995 1050lb hull
3 - Montauk 170 (2003-2017) 1400lb hull
4 - Montauk 17 (1975-2002) 950 lb hull

All will be fine behind a Pilot or midsized SUV.

[damien_boston]

Q4: where would you rank the OUTRAGE 18 among these?

An OUTRAGE 18 seems a easier to find around here.

Q5: do the Outrage 17 I and II have internal fuel tanks?

Q6: Is 90-HP sufficient power for an OUTRAGE 17 I?

[Mambo Minnow]

I tow a 1984 Montauk 17 with my wife's 2017 Honda Pilot without problems. I have used the MONTAUK 17 inside Boston Harbor, but mostly I use the MONTAUK 17 on Cape Cod Bay.

Boston Harbor has speed restrictions in the inner harbor.

Public launch ramps are limited around there. I launched at Wellington Circle in Medford, and I ran the boat through the Mystic River locks to the inner harbor.

[jimh]

Q4: where would you rank the OUTRAGE 18 among these?

I am not sure what other boats you want to compare to the OUTRAGE 18. So far in this thread the other boats that have been mentioned by you and by others, up to this point, are:

1. 150 MONTAUK
2. MONTAUK 17
3. 170 MONTAUK
4. OUTRAGE 20
5. OUTRAGE 22
6. REVENGE 20
7. REVENGE 22
8. 190 OUTRAGE
9. 190 NANTUCKET
10. OUTRAGE 17 I
11. OUTRAGE 17 II

I am not sure what you want to "rank" in your appraisal of these boats. Do you want to rank by length or beam or weight or cost of seating capacity or fuel capacity or something else?

If you gave a specific boat to compare to the OUTRAGE 18, then perhaps I would be able offer you some guidance if I were familiar with both boats. But it is really not feasible for me--or anyone else--to give you a comparison of the OUTRAGE 18 to ten other boats. That is not going to happen. Instead, I will just give you a few comments about the OUTRAGE 18.

I have been aboard and at the helm of several OUTRAGE 18 boats. I find the OUTRAGE 18 to be a wonderful 18-footer. With a 135-HP to 180-HP the OUTRAGE 18 will handle like a sports car. With a modern fuel-efficient engine, the OUTRAGE 18 internal fuel tank capacity of 63-gallons (early models) or 76-gallons (c.1992) will give the boat wonderful range and fuel endurance.

Perhaps you should read the REFERENCE section article about the OUTRAGE 18 boat to get a better idea of its size and capabilities:

1981- 1990 Outrage 18
1991 Outrage 19
1992 Outrage 19 II
https://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/18Outrage/

An OUTRAGE 18 can be loaded and towed on a single-axle tailer.

The OUTRAGE 18 works best with two people aboard. It is really an open boat, and the seating is at the helm. The rest of the cockpit is open space.

If you want some entertainment barge with lots of upholstered seats and dozens of drink holders, do not get an OUTRAGE 18--or really any classic Boston Whaler boats, as they were never designed for that sort of low speed leisure drinking and cruising.

[jimh]

Q6: Is 90-HP sufficient power for an OUTRAGE 17 I?

A 90-HP would be "sufficient" but only if there is not a lot of extra weight and extra people aboard. Like any small boat, the OUTRAGE 17 is sensitive to added weight. If you plan to use an OUTRAGE 17 with just yourself and maybe a small dog aboard, 90-HP would be "sufficient." If you want to go out with 250-lbs of ice in coolers and three overweight fishing buddies, I doubt you could get on plane with 90-HP unless you changed the propeller to one with 2 to 4-inches less pitch than the normal propeller.

[RWM]

I trailered a 1979 Montauk [perhaps refers to a 1979 MONTAUK 17] for many years and boated in Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay. I am admittedly a fair weather boater. The only time I had to turn around was when southeasterly kicked up off Wings Neck one afternoon.

[The MONTAUK 17 is a] great boat for one or two people.

I now run an OUTRAGE 18 in the Florida Keys. An OUTRAGE 18 is able to handle more water and has more room.

[Both the MONTAUK 17 and the OUTRAGE 18] are seaworthy boats and will inspire confidence.

[PhilD]

I'm in Boston Harbor and the islands a few days a week, mostly with my 210 Montauk, but also my 130 Super Sport--and even my 9-foot skiff on select days. If I head out early in the morning, a 21-footer is fine, but by the afternoon, [Boston Harbor and the islands] turn into a washing machine.

A low-freeboard boat like a Montauk will be a wet ride.

[JMaav]

For 34 years I have been using my 1985 SUPER SPORT 15 with a 1992 Evinrude 70-HP in Boston Harbor, Marblehead, and Buzzards Bay—really with no concern for weather. A SUPER SPORT 15 boat tows easily, even behind my little Subaru Crosstrek. A SUPER SPORT 15 does not have the weather-protected helm location of larger models. The SUPER SPORT 15 is sturdy and quick, and it just keeps marching along.

Older SUPER SPORT 15 boats have prices from $6,000 to $15,000.

[jimh]

This thread started two months ago. So far there have been 12 different boats suggested to the thread starter who sought advice about which boat would be appropriate for his particular regional use. The list now stands at:

1. 150 MONTAUK
2. MONTAUK 17
3. 170 MONTAUK
4. OUTRAGE 20
5. OUTRAGE 22
6. REVENGE 20
7. REVENGE 22
8. 190 OUTRAGE
9. 190 NANTUCKET
10. OUTRAGE 17 I
11. OUTRAGE 17 II
12. SUPER SPORT 15

The range in size of the boats suggested starts at 15-foot hulls and goes to 22-foot hulls. I don't see there is much point in further discussion in regard to what boat is suitable, because if you consider all the various models made by Boston Whaler in a size range of 15 to 22-feet length, there are almost limitless possibilities.

Two moths ago the thread starter requested that all suggestions be "ranked", but he gave no provision for a metric by which the many different lengths and models were to be assessed in the ranking.

The thread starter has not participated in the discussion for two month. I don't see this thread as going any were particularly useful at this point.

[Thread closed.]