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Author Topic:   Montauk or Dauntless?

Mike posted 05-26-2000 10:36 PM ET (US)
After 19 happy years with a Striper 15 on inland Alabama lakes, I am considering something slightly larger for our larger lakes. I also now need better seating due to a bad back. (The striper uses an Igloo cooler as the pilot seat, with no back support. Adding something like a reversible Montunk seat would eat up the already limited interior space.) My idea is that a Montauk with a bow pedestal seat, no bow rail, a reversible pilot seat, and a pedestal on a rear deck would be ideal, but I don't know if it is obtainable with the rear deck. Also I have read some posts which imply that ride and performance of my 15' hull(with 70 hp engine)might be as good or better than the 17'. The 16' Dauntless might be a possibility, and with the optional rear deck it seems that the presence of the euro transom becomes irrelevant. But I am somewhat put off by its weight and the posts in this forum calling recent Whaler construction and quality into question. Can someone with Montauk and/or Dauntless 16 experience comment?

KCarlsen posted 05-28-2000 09:00 PM ET (US)
Mike,
KCarlsen posted 05-28-2000 09:00 PM ET (US)
Mike,
KCarlsen posted 05-28-2000 09:20 PM ET (US)
Mike, Pardon the first two posts, something went wrong with my tab key and it sent the reply......I am doing a restoration to a classic hull for the same configuration to what I believe you are looking for. I bought an older 16'6" hull because they are lighter and built better then todays hulls, repainted it, will be adding a new console and a new swing back seat with storage below. I also removed bow rail and found an original whaler front pedestal seat stand (BW part# 12267200) so that I can use the boat for bass fishing on Lake Champlain. The swing back seat provides comfort when piloting the boat or when trolling. The best part of the classic hull are the stepped groves running the length of the inside of the hull on each side. This allows a user to configure all types of platforms, seats etc that can be removed or added so that you can customize the boat each time depending on the type of fishing you are doing. I will be adding a rear deck that can be added or removed when I am bass fishing. The boat is also excellent for inshore and sometimes offshore use. My total weight when completed and loaded will be around 2000lbs so it will be easy to trailer. I added a new 50hp 4 stroke for trolling purposes and quiet operation. The best part is the total package when complete not including my hours will be under $10K. The new boats are nice but out of my price range, heavy and very little classic appeal. Just my own 2 cents.
TRIDENT posted 05-30-2000 05:34 PM ET (US)
I would buy a Montauk! It would be easy to modify the boat as you wish and would give you more flexibility. Montauks rule!!!
whalernut posted 05-30-2000 08:31 PM ET (US)
I agree Trident the Montauk is a much better vessel-stable,classic, and a much better hull design. The only thing I would like to add is I would buy a pre-90` Montauk, much better built vessel and the dessert tan is much nicer in the eyes. Regards-JACK.
andygere posted 08-04-2000 01:55 AM ET (US)
The previous owner of my 79 Montauk built a nice stern platform using dimensional teak lumber. It hinges up, and lifts out using some nifty stainless hardware. This acutally adds space by covering the batteries, and would easily support a pedistal seat.
Bill D posted 08-04-2000 07:55 AM ET (US)
Mike,
Having owned a Montauk for 11 years while living in Huntsville, Ala. I know the type of
fishing and conditions you will be in. My Montauk had front/rear pedestals, rear deck with livewell and front mounted trolling motor with remote steering. On a 1 to 10 scale I would give the Montauk a 10 on quality, a 5 on comfort, a 5 on handling while casting for bass, a 7 on ride in the typical conditions you will see, a 10 on safety, a 10 on perforance (only if setup correctly) and a 10 on versatility. Having not owned a Dauntless my "opinion" is it would be more comfortable in general use, would ride better on those days when you have to deal with a lot of boat wakes, and would track better while using the trolling motor and casting for bass. It would not be as tough as the Montauk, but then on the inland lakes how tough does it need to be. My Montauk was Ok for Bass fishing, better for striper, and even better for offshore. Either way you go you'll be in good shape. Just weigh how you'll use the boat most often and select the one that gives you the most for that use. Hope this helps some....
Top Cat posted 08-04-2000 08:25 AM ET (US)
Mike, I purchased a 2000 Dauntless 16' with a 90 Merc last fall. This is my 4th Whaler in 20 years. I tested 6 or 7 other boats including a new Montauk. The Dauntless was by far the best riding and handling boat I drove. The weight of the boat is more than others in it's class but I think it adds greatly to the durability and ride of the boat. I live on a small lake but the boat is trailered about 50 miles, 3 or 4 times a month to the ocean, and tows great with a mini van. The ride in 2 to 3 foot seas is great for a small boat. I have some friends that have been aboard, 1 has a older Newport, 1 has a 24 proline, and the others all have much larger boats they all love this boat and are amazed with the ride and stability. We have fished 20 miles out with 3 people in the boat in choppy seas with no problem. The quality, versatility and fit and finish of the "new" Whaler's are great. The "Euro design" some people don't like is a great addition, it's easy to board from the water, the boat does not fill up with water in a following sea or when you slow down, and personaly I think it looks great. I am 100% satisfied with this boat. Do yourself a favor and try a few other boats, including a older style Montauk and a new Dauntless. My old 1966 13' sport was a great boat in it's time, but that time has long since pasted. Good luck, "Top Cat"

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Author	Topic: Montauk or Dauntless?
Mike	posted 05-26-2000 10:36 PM ET (US) After 19 happy years with a Striper 15 on inland Alabama lakes, I am considering something slightly larger for our larger lakes. I also now need better seating due to a bad back. (The striper uses an Igloo cooler as the pilot seat, with no back support. Adding something like a reversible Montunk seat would eat up the already limited interior space.) My idea is that a Montauk with a bow pedestal seat, no bow rail, a reversible pilot seat, and a pedestal on a rear deck would be ideal, but I don't know if it is obtainable with the rear deck. Also I have read some posts which imply that ride and performance of my 15' hull(with 70 hp engine)might be as good or better than the 17'. The 16' Dauntless might be a possibility, and with the optional rear deck it seems that the presence of the euro transom becomes irrelevant. But I am somewhat put off by its weight and the posts in this forum calling recent Whaler construction and quality into question. Can someone with Montauk and/or Dauntless 16 experience comment?
KCarlsen	posted 05-28-2000 09:00 PM ET (US) Mike,
KCarlsen	posted 05-28-2000 09:00 PM ET (US) Mike,
KCarlsen	posted 05-28-2000 09:20 PM ET (US) Mike, Pardon the first two posts, something went wrong with my tab key and it sent the reply......I am doing a restoration to a classic hull for the same configuration to what I believe you are looking for. I bought an older 16'6" hull because they are lighter and built better then todays hulls, repainted it, will be adding a new console and a new swing back seat with storage below. I also removed bow rail and found an original whaler front pedestal seat stand (BW part# 12267200) so that I can use the boat for bass fishing on Lake Champlain. The swing back seat provides comfort when piloting the boat or when trolling. The best part of the classic hull are the stepped groves running the length of the inside of the hull on each side. This allows a user to configure all types of platforms, seats etc that can be removed or added so that you can customize the boat each time depending on the type of fishing you are doing. I will be adding a rear deck that can be added or removed when I am bass fishing. The boat is also excellent for inshore and sometimes offshore use. My total weight when completed and loaded will be around 2000lbs so it will be easy to trailer. I added a new 50hp 4 stroke for trolling purposes and quiet operation. The best part is the total package when complete not including my hours will be under $10K. The new boats are nice but out of my price range, heavy and very little classic appeal. Just my own 2 cents.
TRIDENT	posted 05-30-2000 05:34 PM ET (US) I would buy a Montauk! It would be easy to modify the boat as you wish and would give you more flexibility. Montauks rule!!!
whalernut	posted 05-30-2000 08:31 PM ET (US) I agree Trident the Montauk is a much better vessel-stable,classic, and a much better hull design. The only thing I would like to add is I would buy a pre-90` Montauk, much better built vessel and the dessert tan is much nicer in the eyes. Regards-JACK.
andygere	posted 08-04-2000 01:55 AM ET (US) The previous owner of my 79 Montauk built a nice stern platform using dimensional teak lumber. It hinges up, and lifts out using some nifty stainless hardware. This acutally adds space by covering the batteries, and would easily support a pedistal seat.
Bill D	posted 08-04-2000 07:55 AM ET (US) Mike, Having owned a Montauk for 11 years while living in Huntsville, Ala. I know the type of fishing and conditions you will be in. My Montauk had front/rear pedestals, rear deck with livewell and front mounted trolling motor with remote steering. On a 1 to 10 scale I would give the Montauk a 10 on quality, a 5 on comfort, a 5 on handling while casting for bass, a 7 on ride in the typical conditions you will see, a 10 on safety, a 10 on perforance (only if setup correctly) and a 10 on versatility. Having not owned a Dauntless my "opinion" is it would be more comfortable in general use, would ride better on those days when you have to deal with a lot of boat wakes, and would track better while using the trolling motor and casting for bass. It would not be as tough as the Montauk, but then on the inland lakes how tough does it need to be. My Montauk was Ok for Bass fishing, better for striper, and even better for offshore. Either way you go you'll be in good shape. Just weigh how you'll use the boat most often and select the one that gives you the most for that use. Hope this helps some....
Top Cat	posted 08-04-2000 08:25 AM ET (US) Mike, I purchased a 2000 Dauntless 16' with a 90 Merc last fall. This is my 4th Whaler in 20 years. I tested 6 or 7 other boats including a new Montauk. The Dauntless was by far the best riding and handling boat I drove. The weight of the boat is more than others in it's class but I think it adds greatly to the durability and ride of the boat. I live on a small lake but the boat is trailered about 50 miles, 3 or 4 times a month to the ocean, and tows great with a mini van. The ride in 2 to 3 foot seas is great for a small boat. I have some friends that have been aboard, 1 has a older Newport, 1 has a 24 proline, and the others all have much larger boats they all love this boat and are amazed with the ride and stability. We have fished 20 miles out with 3 people in the boat in choppy seas with no problem. The quality, versatility and fit and finish of the "new" Whaler's are great. The "Euro design" some people don't like is a great addition, it's easy to board from the water, the boat does not fill up with water in a following sea or when you slow down, and personaly I think it looks great. I am 100% satisfied with this boat. Do yourself a favor and try a few other boats, including a older style Montauk and a new Dauntless. My old 1966 13' sport was a great boat in it's time, but that time has long since pasted. Good luck, "Top Cat"