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Author Topic:   Dauntless 18 review

lakeman posted 06-08-2003 08:21 AM ET (US)
My wife does not like the 170 and wants a bigger boat. She likes the dauntless 18, not the new 19 Nantucket, were can I get a review of the ride for the Dauntless and other problems or potential problems etc.
Boat will be used in Florida, mostly in the Keys and Lower west Coast and a little offshore 20 miles.
I did search the forum and hope someone or some source could give a more detailed review
or opinions.
TIA
Lars Simonsen posted 06-08-2003 09:10 AM ET (US)
I have a 1998 Dauntless 18. I like it, although there have been times I wished it had a deeper "V". In larger chop (4-5 feet) it can be a pounding ride. But about a week ago, I raised my motor up two holes (it was on the lowest setting) and I took it out in rough conditions, and it was much smoother. I've ordered a new propeller with 2" more pitch, and I'm hoping that will make for more improvement in the ride.
It's a wide boat which makes it very roomy, and very stable, but that also contributes to the "pounding" in large chop. It's also a fairly dry riding boat. It can certainly handle rough water, but you might not be very comfortable.
I use mine mostly in the sound (Pamlico and Albemarle) and nearshore. I recently got a GPS Chartplotter, which may prompt me to go further offshore, but it has to be the perfect day. I don't know about other places, but going 20 miles off the coast of North Carolina (the graveyard of the Atlantic) in an 18 foot boat is asking for trouble, in my opinion.
Another complaint that I've heard about the Dauntless is about refueling it. On mine, the fuel port is in the splashwell by the engine (facing the rear of the boat, and angled towards the engine). I trailer mine, so it's fairly easily accessible, although I have to lower the engine to refuel it. When the tank is nearly full, you can get some backsplash out of the tank, but if you stay with the boat while you're refueling it, you can hear it and stop the pump before that happens. If you're keeping the boat in the water, I suspect re-fueling it will be more difficult.
Lars
dauntlass 18 posted 06-08-2003 04:20 PM ET (US)
I had a 1998 Dauntless 18 and was completely satisfied with it.It performed perfectely.We used boat in upper Cheaspeak Bay.The fuel fill problem on my boat was splash back thru the fill tube you had to pump gas slowely.I think Whaler went to a seperate vent line from tank on later model boats.My boat was powered by a 150hp Optimax.I think you would be happy with a Dauntless.
Fbray posted 06-09-2003 09:05 AM ET (US)
Why not get the 22 Dauntless? It has a very wide beam, a head, and gives a great ride. We have a 2002 and are very pleased with it.
lakeman posted 06-09-2003 03:35 PM ET (US)
Just sold a Large Grady and wanted to go to a smaller boat. May be a mistake but that's life all it takes is more money to correct the mistake.

Lars Simonsen posted 06-09-2003 10:23 PM ET (US)
I think you'll like the Dauntless 18. It's a great combination between a large and a small boat. For a boat that is only 18 feet long, it's got a lot of room, and is incredibly seaworthy.
lakeman posted 06-10-2003 06:49 AM ET (US)
I just put a deal together for a almost mint 2000 Dauntless 18 with a 135 opti and all BW options and electronics(Garmin) only problems is trailer but it will do for a while.(Magic Tilt) It was sold with as a package from a BW dealer. I was told by a friend Merc Dealer, that particular opti would be no problem and it is under warranty for 3 more years. So at this time Dun deal
lakeman posted 06-10-2003 06:55 AM ET (US)
Forgot to thank everyone for the help, information, and advice on all my posts.
Thanks for the support
Lars Simonsen posted 06-10-2003 09:47 PM ET (US)
Congratulations!
Enjoy your new boat!
Lars

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Author	Topic: Dauntless 18 review
lakeman	posted 06-08-2003 08:21 AM ET (US) My wife does not like the 170 and wants a bigger boat. She likes the dauntless 18, not the new 19 Nantucket, were can I get a review of the ride for the Dauntless and other problems or potential problems etc. Boat will be used in Florida, mostly in the Keys and Lower west Coast and a little offshore 20 miles. I did search the forum and hope someone or some source could give a more detailed review or opinions. TIA
Lars Simonsen	posted 06-08-2003 09:10 AM ET (US) I have a 1998 Dauntless 18. I like it, although there have been times I wished it had a deeper "V". In larger chop (4-5 feet) it can be a pounding ride. But about a week ago, I raised my motor up two holes (it was on the lowest setting) and I took it out in rough conditions, and it was much smoother. I've ordered a new propeller with 2" more pitch, and I'm hoping that will make for more improvement in the ride. It's a wide boat which makes it very roomy, and very stable, but that also contributes to the "pounding" in large chop. It's also a fairly dry riding boat. It can certainly handle rough water, but you might not be very comfortable. I use mine mostly in the sound (Pamlico and Albemarle) and nearshore. I recently got a GPS Chartplotter, which may prompt me to go further offshore, but it has to be the perfect day. I don't know about other places, but going 20 miles off the coast of North Carolina (the graveyard of the Atlantic) in an 18 foot boat is asking for trouble, in my opinion. Another complaint that I've heard about the Dauntless is about refueling it. On mine, the fuel port is in the splashwell by the engine (facing the rear of the boat, and angled towards the engine). I trailer mine, so it's fairly easily accessible, although I have to lower the engine to refuel it. When the tank is nearly full, you can get some backsplash out of the tank, but if you stay with the boat while you're refueling it, you can hear it and stop the pump before that happens. If you're keeping the boat in the water, I suspect re-fueling it will be more difficult. Lars
dauntlass 18	posted 06-08-2003 04:20 PM ET (US) I had a 1998 Dauntless 18 and was completely satisfied with it.It performed perfectely.We used boat in upper Cheaspeak Bay.The fuel fill problem on my boat was splash back thru the fill tube you had to pump gas slowely.I think Whaler went to a seperate vent line from tank on later model boats.My boat was powered by a 150hp Optimax.I think you would be happy with a Dauntless.
Fbray	posted 06-09-2003 09:05 AM ET (US) Why not get the 22 Dauntless? It has a very wide beam, a head, and gives a great ride. We have a 2002 and are very pleased with it.
lakeman	posted 06-09-2003 03:35 PM ET (US) Just sold a Large Grady and wanted to go to a smaller boat. May be a mistake but that's life all it takes is more money to correct the mistake.
Lars Simonsen	posted 06-09-2003 10:23 PM ET (US) I think you'll like the Dauntless 18. It's a great combination between a large and a small boat. For a boat that is only 18 feet long, it's got a lot of room, and is incredibly seaworthy.
lakeman	posted 06-10-2003 06:49 AM ET (US) I just put a deal together for a almost mint 2000 Dauntless 18 with a 135 opti and all BW options and electronics(Garmin) only problems is trailer but it will do for a while.(Magic Tilt) It was sold with as a package from a BW dealer. I was told by a friend Merc Dealer, that particular opti would be no problem and it is under warranty for 3 more years. So at this time Dun deal
lakeman	posted 06-10-2003 06:55 AM ET (US) Forgot to thank everyone for the help, information, and advice on all my posts. Thanks for the support
Lars Simonsen	posted 06-10-2003 09:47 PM ET (US) Congratulations! Enjoy your new boat! Lars