posted 12-22-2013 03:18 AM ET (US)        

I have grown daughters and a wife that loves to fish so I am leaning towards an 18 footer. I'm thinking we will have between 2-4 adults fishing in this boat.

Most of us like to fish from a seated position. I do like the Dauntless' rear seating but like the openness of the Outrage.

Does one ride better than the other? Most of our fishing will be bay fishing in Galveston. Water depth usually ranges 3-6 feet.

posted 12-23-2013 12:05 AM ET (US)            

jimH is correct, the bigger the boat the more comfort and room. But now we're talking budget (I have one for sure), practicality and lots of variables including tow vehicle, where you will keep it, storage, trailers, trailering/hauling, ground handling, use in open water only vs shallow water capable boat, inland lakes/rivers, open water, marina vs trailer boat vs lift and on and on. Moreover, will it be primarily a fishing boat or pleasure, party, cruiser? Or both?

What is perhaps more significant is: No one really answered your question about Outrage v. Dauntless. I can't help you with that. I got hung up on that for a couple years. I'm not an expert in an opinion and I've never been in a Dauntless. I know people that have 22s and love them but I don't know how they use them.

In any case, I struggled with Montauk, found several and [made a decision] partly because prior to buying my largest Whaler, an Outrage 17 1995, I never rode in a Montauk! I had an 11.5 and a 13. Still have them. When a very nice (condition and equipped) Outrage 17 went for sale, I bought it and probably at top dollar for the boat--very uncharacteristic of me. My rationale was I wanted a 17 Montauk for a variety of reasons including easy hauling and ground handling, the Outrage hull, same length is fantastic condition, with big console was very appealing, and tons of positive reviews on that particular boat, kind of a special, unique hull design as I was told and two previous Montauk owners who replaced their boats with Outrage 17s and raved about them - especially in rough water conditions. Then I got all into the lore of Bob Doherty who designed the boat and it was last year of the classics.

We are very pleased with the boat, live next to Lake Michigan and several inland lakes that connect to the big lake (sea) and it's been terrific. Have I wished it were a 22 or a 25 at times? You bet, on that lake that can get rotten in a real hurry. Have I had any concerns with the Outrage handling whatever, no, not really. Do I think it's versatile enough for what we do? Pretty much although I love to fish top waters for large mouth and fly rod w floating line so that means getting into shallow spots - it's sketchy there for sure - but I have a 13 for that purpose.

Capacity. I've had six aboard, adults and at the same time a couple of Clydesdales too - I'm 6' and about 225 so I displace some space for sure. Heck ya it's great for two people but I'd fish 4, done that many times running drift boats and rafts. I also notice dudes around here tend to bring a ton of gear with them, I go light, don't need a banquet, tons of junk but folk bring their stuff - I tend to sift through best I can before loading and then I gotta stow purses. - oh well. They get stuffed into dry bag.

Ride and Comfort - This is very significant: A longer, bigger, heavier boat will give you a smoother ride if chop and bumpy conditions are something you will have to deal with. This can be seriously important for passenger comfort. Some people get flat pissed. I have people who come aboard ready to stretch out and cruise. Most of our center console boats are meant to be rode standing up absorbing chop and bumps with your legs. Montauks and early Outrage models can pound.

I think the best advice that I wish had told me is to try and get some rides if you can (no easy way w/o being a jerk maybe - I don't know - hit the dealers) and see what you think. Sit in them, lay on bow cushion, sit in every seat, dig into the consoles and just keep looking hard. You really have to think about tow vehicle too - I used to pull my 13 with a Camry no problem, I'm going to put a hitch on my Matrix for same purpose and to pull a 4.6 M sailboat. I pull the Outrage w/ a 4 Runner. It's fine but big pickups are really built for towing.

posted 12-23-2013 04:30 PM ET (US)            

Most persons looking for bay boats want a flat bottom for shallow water access.

I have a Revenge which is similar to the Outrage hull. I use the Revenge for offshore fishing. In the bay I use a flat bottom scooter.

posted 02-15-2014 07:33 PM ET (US)            

For shallow water and general inshore fishing I've found my 190 Montauk to be very suited. I've fished up to four adults aboard mine in relative comfort. Obviously larger boats provide greater fishing comfort for the same number of people.

If the largest fishing party you envision will be four adults the larger Montauk will do very well. The draft lends itself to somewhat shallower water than either the Outrage or the Dauntless if that is a concern.

If the 190 Montauk is something you want to look into I recommend you avoid those powered with a 115 or lower HP motor. My 190 has a 135 HP Verado and the performance is good to excellent. Also, if you wish to consistently fish parties of four consider getting seats for the aft quarters.

Butch

posted 02-16-2014 07:33 PM ET (US)            

There is a reason that most small salt water fishing boats are center consoles.