2001 16 DAUNTLESS Re-power

Optimizing the performance of Boston Whaler boats
Tg196
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Location: Boston Mass.

2001 16 DAUNTLESS Re-power

Postby Tg196 » Thu Aug 04, 2016 3:35 pm

I may [re-power a 2001 Boston Whaler DAUNTLESS 16 boat] over the winter. What would you do to re-power [a 2001 Boston Whaler DAUNTLESS 16] boat? Why? Keep in mind it has a 2001 Mercury 90. I'd like to go to the max 115-HP. A local dealer said they would give me [money] for my 90. Thanks in advance.

Masbama
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Re: Repower on a 2001 16ft dauntless

Postby Masbama » Thu Aug 04, 2016 7:35 pm

A new Mercury 115 FOURSTROKE.

Tg196
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Location: Boston Mass.

Re: Repower on a 2001 16ft dauntless

Postby Tg196 » Thu Aug 04, 2016 8:22 pm

115 Mercury--why?

Jefecinco
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Re: 2001 16 DAUNTLESS Re-power

Postby Jefecinco » Sat Aug 06, 2016 10:25 am

There is virtually no difference in reliability between new outboard engine brands. If I were you I would make up a little chart. I would list the brands of 115 hp engines with the appropriate shaft lengths. I would then add all the weights, prices, available features that matter to me and use the chart as a guide. All things being more or less equal I would make a choice based upon local dealer availability and reputation for service quality.

Some other factors you may want to consider are ease of owner maintenance such as changing oil and filter and changing/servicing fuel filters.

Price is an important consideration, but if you have to tow your boat several miles for service you may regret saving a couple of hundred dollars.

Experience can and perhaps should influence you decision. I'm emotionally inclined to prefer Evinrude engines because my previous ownership of a 115 HP was so pleasant and trouble free. Plus, Evinrude has been an industry leader in innovation. I like the colors, too.
Butch

Tg196
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Re: 2001 16 DAUNTLESS Re-power

Postby Tg196 » Sat Aug 06, 2016 11:21 am

All great points Butch, I will do just that.

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GoldenDaze
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Re: 2001 16 DAUNTLESS Re-power

Postby GoldenDaze » Fri Aug 12, 2016 1:14 pm

Keep an eye on the motor weight and pick something on the lighter end of the scale. You might not have seen this yet with your 90 HP, especially if it's a 90 2-stroke, but the 160 Dauntless does sit a bit low in the stern. With a 2003 Mercury 115 4-stroke, I get a bit of water in from the scuppers unless I have a pretty empty fuel tank. It's not a big deal, but not desirable either. I think that your 2001 hull lacks the "transom notch" of the earlier 16 Dauntless hulls, which will help with extra buoyancy. But if I'm wrong and you do have a cutout at the bottom center of the transom, then you'll be even more sensitive to engine weight.

There's still a lot of heated discussion about "best" engines, but objectively it seems like you can't go too far wrong with any brand of modern outboard. I'd be very tempted to go with an Evinrude because I think they really hit a home run on the technology with the Etec, though on the other hand I don't find the new ones very attractive. Going Mercury will probably let you keep your shift/throttle system, though after 15 years it might be time for a preventative replacement anyway. So, pretty much a toss-up all around, I think.
2003 160 Dauntless Golden Daze

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GoldenDaze
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Re: 2001 16 DAUNTLESS Re-power

Postby GoldenDaze » Fri Aug 12, 2016 1:17 pm

Oh, and since I know this is a new boat for you, let me share that the best change I ever made to my boat was to add a lower unit hydrofoil (though if I were to do it again I think I'd bite the bullet and put on the 4" Lenco trim tabs instead). The second best change was to change from the original cable steering to BayStar hydraulic steering.
2003 160 Dauntless Golden Daze

Deewazz
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Re: 2001 16 DAUNTLESS Re-power

Postby Deewazz » Fri Aug 12, 2016 1:58 pm

My former 2001 16 Dauntless came to me used with a 90 Honda. After the first outing, I installed a hydrofoil, which improved things significantly. Next, I limited my fuel to less than half a tank - which reduced the stern "squat" quite a bit. Still had to have my son and a friend sit on the bow to get the fuel filler to operate properly... If the Evinrude or Mercury 90 performance equals the Honda, I would not upgrade to a 115 myself. Depends on your usage: mine was cruising, fishing and occasionally tubing...

lhorn42
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Re: 2001 16 DAUNTLESS Re-power

Postby lhorn42 » Mon Aug 29, 2016 11:45 am

Good luck with your re-power. Jefecinco is always worth reading, especially on 160 Dauntless problems. I highly recommend 115HP over 90HP.

I re-powerered my 2003 160 Dauntless from OEM 2003 Merc/Yam 115 4S to 2016 Yamaha F115B last Winter. My reasons:

Old motor: was increasingly unreliable, quitting when throttle retarded to idle after long trolls at idle and long high-speed runs (despite religious routine maintenance). For two winters in a row increasing amounts of cooling water was making its way into engine oil, possible head gasket or block concern per my mech. The hybrid Yamaha head/Mercury drive train complicated possible repair/overhaul. I wanted early Spring/late Fall reliability when you might see one or two other boats out all day.

Local support: I have a great relationship with local Yamaha dealer and mechanic. They've built solid trust over the 8 years since I purchased a Yamaha F20 and 16' aluminum utility skiff from them. The Yamaha shop winterizes my Whaler each year. Sadly, I have been badly burned by local Boston Whaler/Grady White vendor. A friend who purchased a new Grady from that vendor had similar experiences.

Weight: New Yamaha weighs 377 lbs dry. From memory, old Mercury was 390 lbs. As discussed, 160 Dauntless is aft weight-sensitive. The new Mercury FourStroke 115 is even lighter at 359 lbs.

Cost: Got a great deal by having marina repower over the Winter at their pace, out of stock on hand, with fair credit for old motor. Motor & installation out the door for $3000 under list price.

Preliminary results: 50 hours on the new motor, BIG grin on my face! Much more torque, both out of the hole and at the top end. Quieter and more fuel efficient. Top end speed likely exceeds original 43 MPH. problems I'm working: early ventilation, especially at top end and sharp turns. Haven't reached high-speed chine walking because of ventilation at 43 MPH and 5500 RPM (redline 6300). Plan to address motor height, prop selection, and maybe transom wedges to correct this concern at the end of the season.

Again, good luck!