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Author Topic:   Montauk/Dauntless 16 observations

Barnett Childress posted 06-20-2001 06:31 PM ET (US)
Picked up my new Montauk last Thursday. I LOVE this boat and the Merc 90HP 4 stroke.
I owned a Dauntless 16 with a Merc 90HP 2 stroke for 2 years before this.
I've been getting several e-mails off line about the differences I've observed. So some observations for those interested.
Montauk pro's:
1) 75 mile tow back from the dealer was a breeze. Montauk tows much easier than the Dauntless did. I've been towing with a Land Rover Defender 90 (my other toy) set up for serious off roading with flexible rock crawling suspension, full time 4WD & 36" tires. Not the ultimate tow vehicle I know :>. But I noticed a big difference. Less tongue weight, easier to pull hills on highway & much easier braking. With a tow vehicle not set up so biased to off-road performance there probably wouldn't be as big a difference.
2) Unless you see these 2 boats side by side you really can't imagine how much bigger the Dauntless 16 really is. It's much easier for me to load/unload by myself.
3) Montauk comes up on plane much faster with lower speed/RPM. Dauntless seemed to plow a bit with the bow up before finally coming up on plane. Montauk seems to jump up and go.
4) Dauntless has a tendency to take on more water over the transom. Unless I feathered the throttle back VERY slowly I would always get some slosh in the engine well. Montauk even with heavier 4 stroke doesn't seem as prone to this.
5) Even though Montauk is a smaller boat there seems to be much more usable interior space. I think it's because of the squared off bow and no built in rear quarter seats.
Dauntless pro's:
1) Softer ride. Would also be drier in the rough stuff.

2) Much more stable. Yes more stable. Must be the all the extra floation foam & wider width.
3) Features/features/features. If your looking for all the built in goodies, here they are.
4) Nice standard features: Built in 45gal tank & self bailing cockpit.
So thats about it. Both are superb boats. Just depends on what your use will be & what your looking for.
Hope this helps anyone trying to decide between old v.s. new designs.
Barnett

scottfarm posted 06-20-2001 07:20 PM ET (US)
Barnett, what's your top speed on your montauk with the merc 90hp 4-stroke.
Barnett Childress posted 06-20-2001 08:47 PM ET (US)
Not sure as I'm still breaking in the engine & haven't really run WOT. Also I don't have a GPS mounted yet.
Chuck Bennett @ Whaler sent me this response about Montauks with different engine combos.
Quote:
"Boston Whaler currently offers the Montauk with either a 60 hp Merc. 4 stroke, a 90 hp Merc. 2 stroke, or the 90 hp Merc 4 stroke from the factory.
The 60 hp is the lightest at 252 lbs (dry weight).
Top speed is about 35 mph.
The 90 hp Merc 2 stroke is next at about 303 lbs.
Top speed is about 42 mph.
The 90 hp Merc. 4 stroke weighs in at about 386 lbs (dry weight).
Top speed is about 44mph.
The 90 hp 4 stroke weight has not really been an issue with the Montauk
hull".
end of quote.
I used to get about 40MPH or so with the 16 Dauntless & 90HP 2 stroke with 2 on board light gear and less than 1/2 tank of fuel. So low to mid 40's sounds about right to me.
Barnett
B Bear posted 06-25-2001 09:07 AM ET (US)
Thanks for your honest assesment,
I too wondered about the change. I was also suprised by the stability statement since some had the opposite view point on the forum.
Bear
Bigshot posted 06-25-2001 11:07 AM ET (US)
4 stroke will NOT be faster than a 2 stroke. Weight and power band are very different. I would say a 4 stroke on a montauk will suck 2 mph or so, no big deal.
Barnett Childress posted 06-25-2001 09:33 PM ET (US)
The Dauntless is a bit more forgiving with weight placement side to side. People could move around in the Dauntless and the boat really didn't move to much. If you check out the flotation #'s and the pics in the Whaler catalog where they cut a Dauntless 16 in half it's no wonder.
Top end speed MPH numbers came from Whaler. I agree 2mph at the very top end is not that big of a deal (to me). I was however a bit worried about the extra 80lbs on the transom and the static trim of the boat. But no problems. I'm very happy with the Merc 90 HP 4Stroke. It's perfect for the way we are going to use the boat.
Anyway, the extra weight of the bow mounted trolling motor and 2 more batteries in the console installed should help compensate for the extra transom weight.
Barnett

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Author	Topic: Montauk/Dauntless 16 observations
Barnett Childress	posted 06-20-2001 06:31 PM ET (US) Picked up my new Montauk last Thursday. I LOVE this boat and the Merc 90HP 4 stroke. I owned a Dauntless 16 with a Merc 90HP 2 stroke for 2 years before this. I've been getting several e-mails off line about the differences I've observed. So some observations for those interested. Montauk pro's: 1) 75 mile tow back from the dealer was a breeze. Montauk tows much easier than the Dauntless did. I've been towing with a Land Rover Defender 90 (my other toy) set up for serious off roading with flexible rock crawling suspension, full time 4WD & 36" tires. Not the ultimate tow vehicle I know :>. But I noticed a big difference. Less tongue weight, easier to pull hills on highway & much easier braking. With a tow vehicle not set up so biased to off-road performance there probably wouldn't be as big a difference. 2) Unless you see these 2 boats side by side you really can't imagine how much bigger the Dauntless 16 really is. It's much easier for me to load/unload by myself. 3) Montauk comes up on plane much faster with lower speed/RPM. Dauntless seemed to plow a bit with the bow up before finally coming up on plane. Montauk seems to jump up and go. 4) Dauntless has a tendency to take on more water over the transom. Unless I feathered the throttle back VERY slowly I would always get some slosh in the engine well. Montauk even with heavier 4 stroke doesn't seem as prone to this. 5) Even though Montauk is a smaller boat there seems to be much more usable interior space. I think it's because of the squared off bow and no built in rear quarter seats. Dauntless pro's: 1) Softer ride. Would also be drier in the rough stuff. 2) Much more stable. Yes more stable. Must be the all the extra floation foam & wider width. 3) Features/features/features. If your looking for all the built in goodies, here they are. 4) Nice standard features: Built in 45gal tank & self bailing cockpit. So thats about it. Both are superb boats. Just depends on what your use will be & what your looking for. Hope this helps anyone trying to decide between old v.s. new designs. Barnett
scottfarm	posted 06-20-2001 07:20 PM ET (US) Barnett, what's your top speed on your montauk with the merc 90hp 4-stroke.
Barnett Childress	posted 06-20-2001 08:47 PM ET (US) Not sure as I'm still breaking in the engine & haven't really run WOT. Also I don't have a GPS mounted yet. Chuck Bennett @ Whaler sent me this response about Montauks with different engine combos. Quote: "Boston Whaler currently offers the Montauk with either a 60 hp Merc. 4 stroke, a 90 hp Merc. 2 stroke, or the 90 hp Merc 4 stroke from the factory. The 60 hp is the lightest at 252 lbs (dry weight). Top speed is about 35 mph. The 90 hp Merc 2 stroke is next at about 303 lbs. Top speed is about 42 mph. The 90 hp Merc. 4 stroke weighs in at about 386 lbs (dry weight). Top speed is about 44mph. The 90 hp 4 stroke weight has not really been an issue with the Montauk hull". end of quote. I used to get about 40MPH or so with the 16 Dauntless & 90HP 2 stroke with 2 on board light gear and less than 1/2 tank of fuel. So low to mid 40's sounds about right to me. Barnett
B Bear	posted 06-25-2001 09:07 AM ET (US) Thanks for your honest assesment, I too wondered about the change. I was also suprised by the stability statement since some had the opposite view point on the forum. Bear
Bigshot	posted 06-25-2001 11:07 AM ET (US) 4 stroke will NOT be faster than a 2 stroke. Weight and power band are very different. I would say a 4 stroke on a montauk will suck 2 mph or so, no big deal.
Barnett Childress	posted 06-25-2001 09:33 PM ET (US) The Dauntless is a bit more forgiving with weight placement side to side. People could move around in the Dauntless and the boat really didn't move to much. If you check out the flotation #'s and the pics in the Whaler catalog where they cut a Dauntless 16 in half it's no wonder. Top end speed MPH numbers came from Whaler. I agree 2mph at the very top end is not that big of a deal (to me). I was however a bit worried about the extra 80lbs on the transom and the static trim of the boat. But no problems. I'm very happy with the Merc 90 HP 4Stroke. It's perfect for the way we are going to use the boat. Anyway, the extra weight of the bow mounted trolling motor and 2 more batteries in the console installed should help compensate for the extra transom weight. Barnett