Would like your thoughts on 1998 Boston whaler 15 Dauntless!

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2001 13 Sport Owner posted 03-21-2001 10:35 AM ET (US)
Would like opinions on a 1998 Boston Whaler Dauntless 15. There is one for sale in my area for $10,500.00 in very good condition with a 50 HP Mercury 4-Stroke. The boat comes with a bimini top and all options offered by Boston Whaler. I plan on using the boat for fishing in the bays along the Texas Gulf Coast. I love my new 13 Sport, but I need just a bit more room. Please submit opinions on this boat! Thanks
polaris posted 03-21-2001 01:02 PM ET (US)
Looks like a good opportunity. If you don't buy it, and I wanted to travel from Indiana, I would seriously consider it as I am looking for a Dauntless.
Barry posted 03-21-2001 01:49 PM ET (US)
Another case of BW-two-foot-itis. This illness seems very prevalent on this forum. In fact, I might venture to say this regular visits to this site could be a leading cause. I think this is more contagious than foot-and-mouth. Although at times there is a fair amount of foot-IN-mouth around here.
You realize of course, that if you buy the Dauntless you will have to change your username.
Seriously, the price looks good. Although you might be able to find something a little bigger, maybe an older Montauk, for the same money.
awares posted 03-21-2001 09:41 PM ET (US)
I know about this Whaler, and the answer is yes buy it. I would buy it if I had extra
space and cash. I already have two and if I would bring home another before I get both of them rigged I would have to live in it.
I have also resolved the 4 cycle hole shot problem. The prop shop here in town can also help you with selecting the right prop for this rig if it is not satifactory.
Dick posted 03-21-2001 10:28 PM ET (US)
Should be an awsome set up. I run a Merc 50 4 stroke on my Montauk and am real happy with the performance.
Dick
Tsuriki BW posted 03-22-2001 12:03 AM ET (US)
I have a Dauntless 14 and love it. 75 Merc 2 stroke. Would love to have a 4 stroke, (lower HP because of the weight of 4's) Dauntless is a great boat, stable smooth, I think you would like it. I use in local lakes and inland ocean and feel very safe in it. Price sounds good.
Tsuriki
Hoop posted 03-24-2001 10:46 AM ET (US)
Hi! I had virtually the same rig, Dauntless 15 with 50 hp Honda fourstroke. No question, it is Boston Whaler quality and a beautiful boat. Still, when I upgraded to a Montauk I find myself much happier.
Little design nits with the Dauntless include the foot space between the seat and the console ... just a little small for me, and my sons remarked about it. The well at the transom where the lower outboard bolts are mounted is always getting water in it, but it doesn't drain, so I found myself leaving the cover off and scooping water out with a bucket at days' end. Console height was too high to go into the garage; although I didn't store the boat in the garage, I did like to put it the garage for cleaning or maintenance from time to time, and the console height precluded that. These are little nits ... the Dauntless is still a beautiful boat. Hoop
whalernut posted 03-24-2001 01:15 PM ET (US)
I drove a guys 1995 `15 Dauntless with an Evinrude 70h.p. It took a chop well, the latteral stability was only o.k.(I`m used to a 73` `16 hull, extremely stable), quality was very good. The only big pet-peeve was the rubrail. too big and weird looking(the same as todays rubrail), I prefer the Barbour rubrail of 73`-93`. Good luck-Jack Graner.
Whaletosh posted 03-26-2001 12:57 PM ET (US)
Hoop,
How was the ride quality of your Dauntless 15?
hauptjm posted 03-26-2001 02:30 PM ET (US)
Pardon my innocence, but I was just looking at the Whaler web site, and couldn't find a 14 or 15ft. Dauntless. I was trying to follow along with y'all and now I'm lost. Did Whaler discontinue these sizes in the Dauntless style? Forgive me, because I'm still stuck in the 80's. I've made a decision to try to keep tabs on the new side of our passion.
Whaletosh posted 03-26-2001 02:54 PM ET (US)
Hauptjm,
The Dauntless 13 and 15 were the predeccosors of the Dauntless 14 and 16. The Dauntless 13 abd 15 were discontinuted several years back. The dauntless 14 was last made in 2000.
I wish the Dauntless 14 was still around. It suffered from factors:
1) The price was to close to the Dauntless 16.
2) It couldn't accept full horse power 4 stroke motors. The perfermance with a 50 HP 4 stroke was adequate, but not stellar.
Both of these accounted for poor sales.
I had a chance to drive a Dauntless 14; on great 14 foot boat. It felt more like an average 16 footer.
Greg Tsuriki loves his Dauntless 14, and well he should. It is a great boat for 1 to 2 people and fits in most garages. It can also be towed with a lot of vechicles; not just trucks and SUVs.
hauptjm posted 03-26-2001 03:29 PM ET (US)
Whaletosh, thanks for the info.
Tsuriki BW posted 03-26-2001 04:50 PM ET (US)
The Dauntless 14 is a great boat. So easo for 1 person to run. I have furn mine on the lakes, (Washington which is big and can get choppy) and Puget Sound (inland ocean) and have never been concerned about being in a 14.5' boat. The 75 Merc flys.
Bought it used (4 months old) and have added some additional things to it. Would like to have a little more room the 16' offers, but I can pull the 14 with my 190E 4 cyl Benz.
Tsuriki
TunreLahw posted 03-26-2001 08:50 PM ET (US)
I love the Dauntless!
First, it isn't made in Rockland, MA. It's made in Florida, where people make great boats these days. I much prefer boats make in Edgewater Florida to boats make in Rockland, Massachusetts. Call me irrational, but that is just the way I feel. When I see a boat make in Rockland I get upset and think, Man, what were they thinking, trying to make fiberglass boats in the middle of the winter in Massachusetts? They must have been nuts.
Second, they got rid of that stupid Barbour Rub Rail. It has a nice, tough, 1990's rub rail which gives it a nice working boat look. The Barbour rub rail was too small, and too hard to replace, and you can hardly bend the stuff.
And then there is the ride: no comparison to the pounding you'd take in one of those old 16-foot or 13-foot hulls. This hull has a little Vee to it. It parts the waters instead of slamming into them.
And the gelcoat color--it is perfect. A nice white. I don't like those older Whalers with the tan gelcoat--much prefer the white gelcoat on a Dauntless.
Well, that is how I feel about the Dauntless.
--Kcaj
whalernut posted 03-26-2001 09:07 PM ET (US)
Dude, are you sure you are from Pittsburgh! You know how Classic we are here in the Burgh`. Just kidding you, welcome to the Forum and am glad to see someone as passionate as I am, albeit not about the Classics, but about the New Whalers, I can Dig It! Oh and Barbour Rubrails Rule!(He-He)! Again welcome to the Forum. Regards-Jack Graner(fellow Pittsburgher).
kingfish posted 03-26-2001 10:25 PM ET (US)
Jack-
TunreLahw didn't introduce himself, but I think his name is Renarg Kcaj; if you can get him to say his name backwards, he'll be banished to the fourth dimension until somebody starts ragging on the newer Whalers.
fcj
TunreLahw posted 03-26-2001 11:04 PM ET (US)
I am currently living in Pittsburgh, but I grew up out west. I was raised in the desert near Timpe, Arizona so now you see why I hate Whaler's that are gelcoated with Desert Tan.
B Bear posted 03-26-2001 11:31 PM ET (US)
Kingfish you must be a Superman fan.
This has to be a Bizzaro Member.

tunrelahw-whalernut
Can it be a Wild Eyed Desert Man from the Forth Deminsion?
Now to get back on Track-
I have not experienced the 15 Dauntless. I have a 16 Dauntless and so far it has surpassed all the expectations I had for this size boat, and has performed very well in the conditions I have used her.
I have always believed you need to take any boat you are considering for a test run before buying, your experience will tell you if it is right for you.
Bear
whalernut posted 03-27-2001 05:59 PM ET (US)
John, it`s almost spooky! A guy with my login name spelled backwards, drives a truck, and is currently from PGH. "Danger Will Ribinson-Danger". I`ts a small world I guess! I see you`re point about the Desert Tan thing, living in Arizona could make one tired of that color! Regards-Jack Graner.
TunreLahw posted 03-27-2001 10:29 PM ET (US)
Who said anything about driving a truck?
I have ridden in some trucks, mainly hitch-hiking back and forth between Tempe and the Indian Reservation.
Renarg Kcaj
BTW, that is my name, how did you guys know? It is an Indian name. The translation is difficult but the closest thing is "inverted chine".
Hoop posted 03-30-2001 12:48 AM ET (US)
Whaletosh, You asked about ride quality on the Dauntless 15 / Honda 50 I previously had. It took wake's pretty well, but at speed in a chop it was, I think, more jarring on the knees than my Montauk. Hoop
SuburbanBoy posted 03-31-2001 10:03 PM ET (US)
Are all of the Dauntless hulls three piece?
B Bear posted 03-31-2001 11:19 PM ET (US)
SuburbanBoy,
If you refer to "Genreral" the thread "Construction Materials". Lhg does state that all the Dauntless line seem to be made up of the traditional two piece construction.
The Dauntless line is made of two piece construction. The process was explained and shown to me by the dealer that I purchased my 16 Dauntless from. It is only the larger models where three piece construction is being used.
Bear
SuburbanBoy posted 03-31-2001 11:42 PM ET (US)
Yes, you are right. I was typing while trying to master my Garmin 168. With the mushroom out the basement window, linked to the GPS. Must be the cold draft leaking in the window. Sorry, my post should have said any instead of all. I have to make one of the Whaler outings some day. I look forward to sea trials in a variety of Whalers. The Dauntless is high on my list.

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Author	Topic: Would like your thoughts on 1998 Boston whaler 15 Dauntless!
2001 13 Sport Owner	posted 03-21-2001 10:35 AM ET (US) Would like opinions on a 1998 Boston Whaler Dauntless 15. There is one for sale in my area for $10,500.00 in very good condition with a 50 HP Mercury 4-Stroke. The boat comes with a bimini top and all options offered by Boston Whaler. I plan on using the boat for fishing in the bays along the Texas Gulf Coast. I love my new 13 Sport, but I need just a bit more room. Please submit opinions on this boat! Thanks
polaris	posted 03-21-2001 01:02 PM ET (US) Looks like a good opportunity. If you don't buy it, and I wanted to travel from Indiana, I would seriously consider it as I am looking for a Dauntless.
Barry	posted 03-21-2001 01:49 PM ET (US) Another case of BW-two-foot-itis. This illness seems very prevalent on this forum. In fact, I might venture to say this regular visits to this site could be a leading cause. I think this is more contagious than foot-and-mouth. Although at times there is a fair amount of foot-IN-mouth around here. You realize of course, that if you buy the Dauntless you will have to change your username. Seriously, the price looks good. Although you might be able to find something a little bigger, maybe an older Montauk, for the same money.
awares	posted 03-21-2001 09:41 PM ET (US) I know about this Whaler, and the answer is yes buy it. I would buy it if I had extra space and cash. I already have two and if I would bring home another before I get both of them rigged I would have to live in it. I have also resolved the 4 cycle hole shot problem. The prop shop here in town can also help you with selecting the right prop for this rig if it is not satifactory.
Dick	posted 03-21-2001 10:28 PM ET (US) Should be an awsome set up. I run a Merc 50 4 stroke on my Montauk and am real happy with the performance. Dick
Tsuriki BW	posted 03-22-2001 12:03 AM ET (US) I have a Dauntless 14 and love it. 75 Merc 2 stroke. Would love to have a 4 stroke, (lower HP because of the weight of 4's) Dauntless is a great boat, stable smooth, I think you would like it. I use in local lakes and inland ocean and feel very safe in it. Price sounds good. Tsuriki
Hoop	posted 03-24-2001 10:46 AM ET (US) Hi! I had virtually the same rig, Dauntless 15 with 50 hp Honda fourstroke. No question, it is Boston Whaler quality and a beautiful boat. Still, when I upgraded to a Montauk I find myself much happier. Little design nits with the Dauntless include the foot space between the seat and the console ... just a little small for me, and my sons remarked about it. The well at the transom where the lower outboard bolts are mounted is always getting water in it, but it doesn't drain, so I found myself leaving the cover off and scooping water out with a bucket at days' end. Console height was too high to go into the garage; although I didn't store the boat in the garage, I did like to put it the garage for cleaning or maintenance from time to time, and the console height precluded that. These are little nits ... the Dauntless is still a beautiful boat. Hoop
whalernut	posted 03-24-2001 01:15 PM ET (US) I drove a guys 1995 `15 Dauntless with an Evinrude 70h.p. It took a chop well, the latteral stability was only o.k.(I`m used to a 73` `16 hull, extremely stable), quality was very good. The only big pet-peeve was the rubrail. too big and weird looking(the same as todays rubrail), I prefer the Barbour rubrail of 73`-93`. Good luck-Jack Graner.
Whaletosh	posted 03-26-2001 12:57 PM ET (US) Hoop, How was the ride quality of your Dauntless 15?
hauptjm	posted 03-26-2001 02:30 PM ET (US) Pardon my innocence, but I was just looking at the Whaler web site, and couldn't find a 14 or 15ft. Dauntless. I was trying to follow along with y'all and now I'm lost. Did Whaler discontinue these sizes in the Dauntless style? Forgive me, because I'm still stuck in the 80's. I've made a decision to try to keep tabs on the new side of our passion.
Whaletosh	posted 03-26-2001 02:54 PM ET (US) Hauptjm, The Dauntless 13 and 15 were the predeccosors of the Dauntless 14 and 16. The Dauntless 13 abd 15 were discontinuted several years back. The dauntless 14 was last made in 2000. I wish the Dauntless 14 was still around. It suffered from factors: 1) The price was to close to the Dauntless 16. 2) It couldn't accept full horse power 4 stroke motors. The perfermance with a 50 HP 4 stroke was adequate, but not stellar. Both of these accounted for poor sales. I had a chance to drive a Dauntless 14; on great 14 foot boat. It felt more like an average 16 footer. Greg Tsuriki loves his Dauntless 14, and well he should. It is a great boat for 1 to 2 people and fits in most garages. It can also be towed with a lot of vechicles; not just trucks and SUVs.
hauptjm	posted 03-26-2001 03:29 PM ET (US) Whaletosh, thanks for the info.
Tsuriki BW	posted 03-26-2001 04:50 PM ET (US) The Dauntless 14 is a great boat. So easo for 1 person to run. I have furn mine on the lakes, (Washington which is big and can get choppy) and Puget Sound (inland ocean) and have never been concerned about being in a 14.5' boat. The 75 Merc flys. Bought it used (4 months old) and have added some additional things to it. Would like to have a little more room the 16' offers, but I can pull the 14 with my 190E 4 cyl Benz. Tsuriki
TunreLahw	posted 03-26-2001 08:50 PM ET (US) I love the Dauntless! First, it isn't made in Rockland, MA. It's made in Florida, where people make great boats these days. I much prefer boats make in Edgewater Florida to boats make in Rockland, Massachusetts. Call me irrational, but that is just the way I feel. When I see a boat make in Rockland I get upset and think, Man, what were they thinking, trying to make fiberglass boats in the middle of the winter in Massachusetts? They must have been nuts. Second, they got rid of that stupid Barbour Rub Rail. It has a nice, tough, 1990's rub rail which gives it a nice working boat look. The Barbour rub rail was too small, and too hard to replace, and you can hardly bend the stuff. And then there is the ride: no comparison to the pounding you'd take in one of those old 16-foot or 13-foot hulls. This hull has a little Vee to it. It parts the waters instead of slamming into them. And the gelcoat color--it is perfect. A nice white. I don't like those older Whalers with the tan gelcoat--much prefer the white gelcoat on a Dauntless. Well, that is how I feel about the Dauntless. --Kcaj
whalernut	posted 03-26-2001 09:07 PM ET (US) Dude, are you sure you are from Pittsburgh! You know how Classic we are here in the Burgh`. Just kidding you, welcome to the Forum and am glad to see someone as passionate as I am, albeit not about the Classics, but about the New Whalers, I can Dig It! Oh and Barbour Rubrails Rule!(He-He)! Again welcome to the Forum. Regards-Jack Graner(fellow Pittsburgher).
kingfish	posted 03-26-2001 10:25 PM ET (US) Jack- TunreLahw didn't introduce himself, but I think his name is Renarg Kcaj; if you can get him to say his name backwards, he'll be banished to the fourth dimension until somebody starts ragging on the newer Whalers. fcj
TunreLahw	posted 03-26-2001 11:04 PM ET (US) I am currently living in Pittsburgh, but I grew up out west. I was raised in the desert near Timpe, Arizona so now you see why I hate Whaler's that are gelcoated with Desert Tan.
B Bear	posted 03-26-2001 11:31 PM ET (US) Kingfish you must be a Superman fan. This has to be a Bizzaro Member. tunrelahw-whalernut Can it be a Wild Eyed Desert Man from the Forth Deminsion? Now to get back on Track- I have not experienced the 15 Dauntless. I have a 16 Dauntless and so far it has surpassed all the expectations I had for this size boat, and has performed very well in the conditions I have used her. I have always believed you need to take any boat you are considering for a test run before buying, your experience will tell you if it is right for you. Bear
whalernut	posted 03-27-2001 05:59 PM ET (US) John, it`s almost spooky! A guy with my login name spelled backwards, drives a truck, and is currently from PGH. "Danger Will Ribinson-Danger". I`ts a small world I guess! I see you`re point about the Desert Tan thing, living in Arizona could make one tired of that color! Regards-Jack Graner.
TunreLahw	posted 03-27-2001 10:29 PM ET (US) Who said anything about driving a truck? I have ridden in some trucks, mainly hitch-hiking back and forth between Tempe and the Indian Reservation. Renarg Kcaj BTW, that is my name, how did you guys know? It is an Indian name. The translation is difficult but the closest thing is "inverted chine".
Hoop	posted 03-30-2001 12:48 AM ET (US) Whaletosh, You asked about ride quality on the Dauntless 15 / Honda 50 I previously had. It took wake's pretty well, but at speed in a chop it was, I think, more jarring on the knees than my Montauk. Hoop
SuburbanBoy	posted 03-31-2001 10:03 PM ET (US) Are all of the Dauntless hulls three piece?
B Bear	posted 03-31-2001 11:19 PM ET (US) SuburbanBoy, If you refer to "Genreral" the thread "Construction Materials". Lhg does state that all the Dauntless line seem to be made up of the traditional two piece construction. The Dauntless line is made of two piece construction. The process was explained and shown to me by the dealer that I purchased my 16 Dauntless from. It is only the larger models where three piece construction is being used. Bear
SuburbanBoy	posted 03-31-2001 11:42 PM ET (US) Yes, you are right. I was typing while trying to master my Garmin 168. With the mushroom out the basement window, linked to the GPS. Must be the cold draft leaking in the window. Sorry, my post should have said any instead of all. I have to make one of the Whaler outings some day. I look forward to sea trials in a variety of Whalers. The Dauntless is high on my list.