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Author Topic:   Dauntless 17

East Bay posted 06-30-2009 01:57 PM ET (US)
I'm hoping to buy a 1996 Dauntless 17 with a full windshield. It has a 115 hp Johnson Ocean Runner. It has the complete top, and appears to be in very good condition. What would a boat like this be worth? My concerns are that it is 13 years old (boat & motor), and the motor is an older 2-stroke with an oil reserve. Is this a reliable motor? How does this boat handle, and does it tend to porpoise (I've read that Dauntless does)? Does that motor burn a lot of gas?
Thanks a lot
Royboy posted 07-01-2009 12:49 PM ET (US)
Any small boat seller should be willing to arrange a sea trial so you can evaluate how the boat performs. As for gas consumption, all boats burn "a lot" of gas. However, I have a similar hull and powerplant (17 Outrage with 135 2 stroke)and go all day on ten gallons. 13 years is not particularly old for a boat/motor, depending on where it was used (year-round in a southern state, or a couple months per year in a northern clime).
Roy
Royboy posted 07-01-2009 12:51 PM ET (US)
BTW, my Whaler is also for sale here in Southeast Michigan:
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/017630.html
Roy
Tohsgib posted 07-01-2009 12:59 PM ET (US)
The older the Whaler the better in my opinion. A 13 year old outboard that still runs is "obviously" reliable or at least up until now. A properly maintained engine can run for decades or minutes...one will never know for sure and age has NOTHING to do with fate or failure. There is a lightbulb in a NYC firehouse that has been burning non stop for a century...is it reliable? As far as ride is concerned, sea(pun) for yourself. If condition is good I would say between $9-13k.
bryansemple posted 07-03-2009 10:53 PM ET (US)
I have a 97 Dauntless 17 split console which is what I think you meant when you said "full windshield." It has the original Johnson 130 HP outboard on it. I paid $8,500 for it including a functioning trailer last year.
The engine was/is the real wild card as I found similar hulls in CT for around $5 to $6K with an engine that needed repair. So I was betting there was still some life in the engine. The hull was nearly perfect except for some minor spider cracks.
I had a mechanic check the lower assembly oil for wear and water, plus a compression test and a sea trial. All the cylinders were sound.
After one full season and just started the new one, I could not be happier. Engine works great. Oil reservoir is so large, you rarely need to refill it. The engine starts right up. The boat has an aluminum gas tank so it is not impacted by ethanol.
The boat will porpoise but some trim adjustments correct that. I primarily use it for skiing and tubing. I burn maybe 4-6 gallons per hour water skiing? Could be off. I have a goal this year to measure fuel usage better. But with a 40 gallon tank, you can water ski all day long and not need to refill. The boat is just not that big that the fuel consumption is high.
I have spent money on the boat to: replaced tires, added a spare tire mount, purchased surface thermometer for checking tire bearing and sidewall temps when towing, new rollers, new gas filter, winter canvas cover. That is about it.
I will need to replace: bunk board bolts, engine controls and cables, steering unit and cables over the next 12 months.
All in all, a great, affordable to own boat.

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Author	Topic: Dauntless 17
East Bay	posted 06-30-2009 01:57 PM ET (US) I'm hoping to buy a 1996 Dauntless 17 with a full windshield. It has a 115 hp Johnson Ocean Runner. It has the complete top, and appears to be in very good condition. What would a boat like this be worth? My concerns are that it is 13 years old (boat & motor), and the motor is an older 2-stroke with an oil reserve. Is this a reliable motor? How does this boat handle, and does it tend to porpoise (I've read that Dauntless does)? Does that motor burn a lot of gas? Thanks a lot
Royboy	posted 07-01-2009 12:49 PM ET (US) Any small boat seller should be willing to arrange a sea trial so you can evaluate how the boat performs. As for gas consumption, all boats burn "a lot" of gas. However, I have a similar hull and powerplant (17 Outrage with 135 2 stroke)and go all day on ten gallons. 13 years is not particularly old for a boat/motor, depending on where it was used (year-round in a southern state, or a couple months per year in a northern clime). Roy
Royboy	posted 07-01-2009 12:51 PM ET (US) BTW, my Whaler is also for sale here in Southeast Michigan: http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/017630.html Roy
Tohsgib	posted 07-01-2009 12:59 PM ET (US) The older the Whaler the better in my opinion. A 13 year old outboard that still runs is "obviously" reliable or at least up until now. A properly maintained engine can run for decades or minutes...one will never know for sure and age has NOTHING to do with fate or failure. There is a lightbulb in a NYC firehouse that has been burning non stop for a century...is it reliable? As far as ride is concerned, sea(pun) for yourself. If condition is good I would say between $9-13k.
bryansemple	posted 07-03-2009 10:53 PM ET (US) I have a 97 Dauntless 17 split console which is what I think you meant when you said "full windshield." It has the original Johnson 130 HP outboard on it. I paid $8,500 for it including a functioning trailer last year. The engine was/is the real wild card as I found similar hulls in CT for around $5 to $6K with an engine that needed repair. So I was betting there was still some life in the engine. The hull was nearly perfect except for some minor spider cracks. I had a mechanic check the lower assembly oil for wear and water, plus a compression test and a sea trial. All the cylinders were sound. After one full season and just started the new one, I could not be happier. Engine works great. Oil reservoir is so large, you rarely need to refill it. The engine starts right up. The boat has an aluminum gas tank so it is not impacted by ethanol. The boat will porpoise but some trim adjustments correct that. I primarily use it for skiing and tubing. I burn maybe 4-6 gallons per hour water skiing? Could be off. I have a goal this year to measure fuel usage better. But with a 40 gallon tank, you can water ski all day long and not need to refill. The boat is just not that big that the fuel consumption is high. I have spent money on the boat to: replaced tires, added a spare tire mount, purchased surface thermometer for checking tire bearing and sidewall temps when towing, new rollers, new gas filter, winter canvas cover. That is about it. I will need to replace: bunk board bolts, engine controls and cables, steering unit and cables over the next 12 months. All in all, a great, affordable to own boat.