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Author Topic:   18 Dauntless pro/cons

lakeman posted 02-13-2003 10:40 AM ET (US)
I have been shopping, as many of you know, with MY previous posts. Question I have not see much discussion on the 18 Dauntless. On the boat trader there are what seem to be good buys on the 1998-99-00-01 boats $35000+ boats now in the low to mid 20K. How about some feed back from owners or opinnions on this boat. Off shore use, ride etc. I have heard that they had changed the hull in a mdl year.
Lars Simonsen posted 02-15-2003 08:39 AM ET (US)
I have a 1998 Dauntless. I really like it. It's very versatile, roomy, and seaworthy. I live about 90 miles from the North Carolina Outerbanks, so I do some ocean fishing, and more sound fishing. The Dauntless doesn't have a very deep V so it isn't the most comfortable ride in rough water (4'-5' waves), but it can certainly take rough water without a problem. The NC coast is rightfully known as the "graveyard of the Atlantic" and I'm not one to tempt fate by going way offshore in an 18 foot boat of any kind (particularly one with an Optimax engine). I do a lot of inshore fishing (within 3 miles of the coast), and this boat is great for that. Mine has the fishing and comfort packages, galvanized dual axle trailer, Great White Trolling motor, 135 Optimax (which IMO doesn't add value), and I paid about $18K for it. My advice would be don't put a lot of value on an Optimax engine, which is probably what you're going to find on most of the used Dauntless boats you find. To Mercury's credit, when my optimax powerhead blew up, Mercury gave me a factory remanufactured powerhead for free, even though my motor was out of warranty. It cost me about $1000 shipping and labor to install it. So for about $19K, I got a barely used 18' dauntless with a practically new Optimax (for whatever that's worth).
Perry posted 02-16-2003 08:04 PM ET (US)
BW did change the hull. My 2002 Dauntless doesn't have the notch or "cut out" at the bottom of the transom
lakeman posted 02-17-2003 09:47 AM ET (US)
Lars
Thanks for the great reply it was just what I wanted to hear about, sounds like yours and mine fishing is about the same. I'm a self professed fair weather fisherman who lives in Fl. loves to go offshore but will not tackle 4-6 unless already out there. I wished for better reports on the 135 Opti I had heard it was OK with just the usual problems. Almost all used one have the opi or just the 135 carbed, I wonder just what the overall difference in motors would be.
The 18 Dauntless will be high on my list to replace the Grady I have now and up for sale
Thanks again

Perry, do you have any Idea why they took the notch out????
JustFish posted 02-17-2003 10:03 AM ET (US)
I had a 16' Dauntless for a few years. Great boat - but as LS stated - not for offshore. I went to an Outrage because I wanted more offshore uses.
I also went with 4 stroke engines. Quieter, better fuel economy, more reliable and no oil needed.
boxers posted 02-17-2003 10:33 AM ET (US)
The nanutcket might be of interest as it is nearly the same price but has a deeper v hull. We considered the dauntless 18 but went for a used 98 20-outrage. The hull weighs 2200lbs and it is rated for 225HP. Seems like the newer models are under rated as to their max. power
boxers posted 02-17-2003 10:36 AM ET (US)
The nanutcket might be of interest as it is nearly the same price but has a deeper v hull. We considered the dauntless 18 but went for a used 98 20-outrage. The hull weighs 2200lbs and it is rated for 225HP. Seems like the newer models are under rated as to their max. power
Perry posted 02-17-2003 02:39 PM ET (US)
Lakeman, from what I hear, the notch was removed to reduce bow lift during hole shot.
Lars Simonsen posted 02-17-2003 08:05 PM ET (US)
Mine has the notched transom. My boat does not have a problem with excessive bow rise or porpoising (as I've heard about other Dauntless boats). I had assumed those problems came when the notch was removed.
As to the difference between the opti and the carb'ed mercury, I suspect the carb'ed version is more reliable, but far less efficient. My opti is great in all respects except reliability. It is powerful, runs great, and sips gas. (The first powerheard ran like a top right up until it blew). The 1990 90-hp evinrude on my montauk created a big blue cloud when you first started it, and an oil slick followed you everywhere you went, but it always started (even with the pull string), ran like a top and never left me stranded.
lakeman posted 02-18-2003 07:43 AM ET (US)
Since I am new to whalers, except for admiring them. What does a Nantucket look like? I have heard it mentioned but never saw one.
Any way, in Florida, at least south of Palm Beach, you can pick many good days for offshore fishing and even catch Dolphin within view of the Condos, once in a while. Getting out of the intercoastal or inlets may be harder than 4-6 seas.
So for many people who who live in Florida and have some other interest, boats like the 18 Dauntless could be a valid choice.
I have looked hard at the new 170 but something holes me back from buying it.
HOpe my Grady sells this week gettin tired of looking and Shopping, naw, always fun to look and talk about boats. By the way I have focused on whalers because my lady likes the way they look.
Ventura16 posted 02-18-2003 09:16 AM ET (US)
The 190-Nantucket is a brand-new boat just released by Boston Whaler. It is similar in size to the 18-Dauntless but a bit less expensive. Check out the info in the Cetacea portion of continousWave:
www.prime-web.com
It looks like a great addtition to the Whaler lineup.
Tom
Ventura16 posted 02-18-2003 09:18 AM ET (US)
Ooops...wrong URL...one of these days I will learn how to cut and paste. ;-)
Here is the Nantucket infi:
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/cetacea/cetaceaPage71.html
Tom
lakeman posted 02-18-2003 03:51 PM ET (US)
I just got a price on a 03 Dauntless which I was told also has one more degree of hull dead rise. Price was Boat, bimmi, fish package, all alumuminm trailer/with brakes(disk) not a tandom, 115 4S, dive platform Did not have bow rail. About 30K.
Sounds like the new Nantucket may have influenced Dauntless price.
TRAFFICLAWYER posted 02-19-2003 07:45 AM ET (US)
lakeman:
go with the 4 stroke, my opti 135 lasted 20 hours, power head blew and poof boat was gone.
lhg posted 02-20-2003 01:11 PM ET (US)
With the introduction of the new 17' Montauk and new 19' Nantucket, I am guessing the 16 & 18 Dauntless won't be around much longer. Why make overlapping size boats when the newer ones will get all the sales promotions and attention? My guess is that the new 19 Nantucket will outperform the 18 Dauntless in most categories, if not all.
What about ordering a new 19 Guardian, which should also cost about $30,000. with 150 power?
BWdaunt18 posted 02-24-2003 03:55 PM ET (US)
I own a 2001 Daunt 18 with 135 Optimax. Primarily used on Lake Michigan. Handles all rough water (4 footers or more) well-no problem.
Ride can be rough. I am told the addition of trim tabs might help smooth this out.
Any experince with trim tabs on this boat?
lakeman posted 03-03-2003 10:43 AM ET (US)
It seems to me the 1154S is kinda under powered for the 18 dauntless. The opti 135 semms about right but with all the problems????****@ Anyone with a 1154S on this boat. I have no need to be a speed demon.
Lars Simonsen posted 03-03-2003 08:44 PM ET (US)
I would guess that the 18' Dauntless is significantly underpowered with a 115. The new Optimaxes may be much more reliable. I've heard that even the old (1998, '99) 135's are reliable (the mercury "master" mechanic I brought mine to said it was the first 135 he'd seen that had problems). Mine wasn't, nor was Trafficlawyer's. But perhaps those of us who have had problems with our 135 Optimaxes have been more vocal about it. I'm hoping for many years of trouble free use from my new powerhead. It certainly pushes my Dauntless around without any difficulty. But I'd hate to think that I have to buy a new motor anytime in the next year or two (or three). But I wouldn't want a 115 on my Dauntless, either. If you're going to trailer it, I would recommend a dual axle trailer, too. It's a heavy hull.
BWdaunt18 posted 03-05-2003 06:08 PM ET (US)
any experience with trim tabs on the Daunt 18?
Lars Simonsen posted 03-05-2003 07:38 PM ET (US)
Nope. I was curious what the responses to your post would be. If you get trim tabs, I'd be interested in knowing what the results are.
BWdaunt18 posted 03-12-2003 02:06 PM ET (US)
I have posted a couple requests fishing for information but have heard nothing.
If I try them, I will let you know.
Chuck Bennett from Whaler said they improve performance.

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Author	Topic: 18 Dauntless pro/cons
lakeman	posted 02-13-2003 10:40 AM ET (US) I have been shopping, as many of you know, with MY previous posts. Question I have not see much discussion on the 18 Dauntless. On the boat trader there are what seem to be good buys on the 1998-99-00-01 boats $35000+ boats now in the low to mid 20K. How about some feed back from owners or opinnions on this boat. Off shore use, ride etc. I have heard that they had changed the hull in a mdl year.
Lars Simonsen	posted 02-15-2003 08:39 AM ET (US) I have a 1998 Dauntless. I really like it. It's very versatile, roomy, and seaworthy. I live about 90 miles from the North Carolina Outerbanks, so I do some ocean fishing, and more sound fishing. The Dauntless doesn't have a very deep V so it isn't the most comfortable ride in rough water (4'-5' waves), but it can certainly take rough water without a problem. The NC coast is rightfully known as the "graveyard of the Atlantic" and I'm not one to tempt fate by going way offshore in an 18 foot boat of any kind (particularly one with an Optimax engine). I do a lot of inshore fishing (within 3 miles of the coast), and this boat is great for that. Mine has the fishing and comfort packages, galvanized dual axle trailer, Great White Trolling motor, 135 Optimax (which IMO doesn't add value), and I paid about $18K for it. My advice would be don't put a lot of value on an Optimax engine, which is probably what you're going to find on most of the used Dauntless boats you find. To Mercury's credit, when my optimax powerhead blew up, Mercury gave me a factory remanufactured powerhead for free, even though my motor was out of warranty. It cost me about $1000 shipping and labor to install it. So for about $19K, I got a barely used 18' dauntless with a practically new Optimax (for whatever that's worth).
Perry	posted 02-16-2003 08:04 PM ET (US) BW did change the hull. My 2002 Dauntless doesn't have the notch or "cut out" at the bottom of the transom
lakeman	posted 02-17-2003 09:47 AM ET (US) Lars Thanks for the great reply it was just what I wanted to hear about, sounds like yours and mine fishing is about the same. I'm a self professed fair weather fisherman who lives in Fl. loves to go offshore but will not tackle 4-6 unless already out there. I wished for better reports on the 135 Opti I had heard it was OK with just the usual problems. Almost all used one have the opi or just the 135 carbed, I wonder just what the overall difference in motors would be. The 18 Dauntless will be high on my list to replace the Grady I have now and up for sale Thanks again Perry, do you have any Idea why they took the notch out????
JustFish	posted 02-17-2003 10:03 AM ET (US) I had a 16' Dauntless for a few years. Great boat - but as LS stated - not for offshore. I went to an Outrage because I wanted more offshore uses. I also went with 4 stroke engines. Quieter, better fuel economy, more reliable and no oil needed.
boxers	posted 02-17-2003 10:33 AM ET (US) The nanutcket might be of interest as it is nearly the same price but has a deeper v hull. We considered the dauntless 18 but went for a used 98 20-outrage. The hull weighs 2200lbs and it is rated for 225HP. Seems like the newer models are under rated as to their max. power
boxers	posted 02-17-2003 10:36 AM ET (US) The nanutcket might be of interest as it is nearly the same price but has a deeper v hull. We considered the dauntless 18 but went for a used 98 20-outrage. The hull weighs 2200lbs and it is rated for 225HP. Seems like the newer models are under rated as to their max. power
Perry	posted 02-17-2003 02:39 PM ET (US) Lakeman, from what I hear, the notch was removed to reduce bow lift during hole shot.
Lars Simonsen	posted 02-17-2003 08:05 PM ET (US) Mine has the notched transom. My boat does not have a problem with excessive bow rise or porpoising (as I've heard about other Dauntless boats). I had assumed those problems came when the notch was removed. As to the difference between the opti and the carb'ed mercury, I suspect the carb'ed version is more reliable, but far less efficient. My opti is great in all respects except reliability. It is powerful, runs great, and sips gas. (The first powerheard ran like a top right up until it blew). The 1990 90-hp evinrude on my montauk created a big blue cloud when you first started it, and an oil slick followed you everywhere you went, but it always started (even with the pull string), ran like a top and never left me stranded.
lakeman	posted 02-18-2003 07:43 AM ET (US) Since I am new to whalers, except for admiring them. What does a Nantucket look like? I have heard it mentioned but never saw one. Any way, in Florida, at least south of Palm Beach, you can pick many good days for offshore fishing and even catch Dolphin within view of the Condos, once in a while. Getting out of the intercoastal or inlets may be harder than 4-6 seas. So for many people who who live in Florida and have some other interest, boats like the 18 Dauntless could be a valid choice. I have looked hard at the new 170 but something holes me back from buying it. HOpe my Grady sells this week gettin tired of looking and Shopping, naw, always fun to look and talk about boats. By the way I have focused on whalers because my lady likes the way they look.
Ventura16	posted 02-18-2003 09:16 AM ET (US) The 190-Nantucket is a brand-new boat just released by Boston Whaler. It is similar in size to the 18-Dauntless but a bit less expensive. Check out the info in the Cetacea portion of continousWave: www.prime-web.com It looks like a great addtition to the Whaler lineup. Tom
Ventura16	posted 02-18-2003 09:18 AM ET (US) Ooops...wrong URL...one of these days I will learn how to cut and paste. ;-) Here is the Nantucket infi: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/cetacea/cetaceaPage71.html Tom
lakeman	posted 02-18-2003 03:51 PM ET (US) I just got a price on a 03 Dauntless which I was told also has one more degree of hull dead rise. Price was Boat, bimmi, fish package, all alumuminm trailer/with brakes(disk) not a tandom, 115 4S, dive platform Did not have bow rail. About 30K. Sounds like the new Nantucket may have influenced Dauntless price.
TRAFFICLAWYER	posted 02-19-2003 07:45 AM ET (US) lakeman: go with the 4 stroke, my opti 135 lasted 20 hours, power head blew and poof boat was gone.
lhg	posted 02-20-2003 01:11 PM ET (US) With the introduction of the new 17' Montauk and new 19' Nantucket, I am guessing the 16 & 18 Dauntless won't be around much longer. Why make overlapping size boats when the newer ones will get all the sales promotions and attention? My guess is that the new 19 Nantucket will outperform the 18 Dauntless in most categories, if not all. What about ordering a new 19 Guardian, which should also cost about $30,000. with 150 power?
BWdaunt18	posted 02-24-2003 03:55 PM ET (US) I own a 2001 Daunt 18 with 135 Optimax. Primarily used on Lake Michigan. Handles all rough water (4 footers or more) well-no problem. Ride can be rough. I am told the addition of trim tabs might help smooth this out. Any experince with trim tabs on this boat?
lakeman	posted 03-03-2003 10:43 AM ET (US) It seems to me the 1154S is kinda under powered for the 18 dauntless. The opti 135 semms about right but with all the problems????****@ Anyone with a 1154S on this boat. I have no need to be a speed demon.
Lars Simonsen	posted 03-03-2003 08:44 PM ET (US) I would guess that the 18' Dauntless is significantly underpowered with a 115. The new Optimaxes may be much more reliable. I've heard that even the old (1998, '99) 135's are reliable (the mercury "master" mechanic I brought mine to said it was the first 135 he'd seen that had problems). Mine wasn't, nor was Trafficlawyer's. But perhaps those of us who have had problems with our 135 Optimaxes have been more vocal about it. I'm hoping for many years of trouble free use from my new powerhead. It certainly pushes my Dauntless around without any difficulty. But I'd hate to think that I have to buy a new motor anytime in the next year or two (or three). But I wouldn't want a 115 on my Dauntless, either. If you're going to trailer it, I would recommend a dual axle trailer, too. It's a heavy hull.
BWdaunt18	posted 03-05-2003 06:08 PM ET (US) any experience with trim tabs on the Daunt 18?
Lars Simonsen	posted 03-05-2003 07:38 PM ET (US) Nope. I was curious what the responses to your post would be. If you get trim tabs, I'd be interested in knowing what the results are.
BWdaunt18	posted 03-12-2003 02:06 PM ET (US) I have posted a couple requests fishing for information but have heard nothing. If I try them, I will let you know. Chuck Bennett from Whaler said they improve performance.