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Author Topic:   Offshore Dauntless 160

cmarques posted 07-07-2003 11:09 PM ET (US)
Made it back from Marathon last week with my Dauntless 160 after 4 days of hard fishing. It makes a very good fair weather offshore boat- all 4 days had ventured 20+ miles offshore- the big boat guys though I was nuts being that far out in a 16 footer but felt very comfortable and safe the whole time. Came back the last day from 22.5 miles out of Vaca Cut in close 3-4 footers took a little pounding and got soaked. Everything worked flawlessly axcept for some vhf radio probs. Couldn't talk to a friend's boat more than a mile away until I found the solder joint busted in the antenna connector- jammed a fish hook through it and the coax and got out almost 15 miles crystal clear!
A few things i learned about the Dauntless 160 on this trip:
Combo of WOT across the ocean and lots of trolling with Merc 90 2S returned about 3-3.5 mpg running 7+ hours each day.
Dead little shrimp will clog the livewell drain and stink bad!
Never had a problem with tank vent fueling on the water.
Hitting dock at motel will bend Tigress clamp on rod holder and almost snap Penn Senator trolling rod.
Adapting 150 qt Igloo cooler to fit in place of 54qt cooler seat makes a good fisbox and plenty of room for drinks, food, etc.
The rear bimini top straps interfere with landing fish along side boat -(has anyone eliminated these or added extra bracing to top to get rid of these? let me know)
Can't wait to try all of the above again!!!
jimh posted 07-07-2003 11:18 PM ET (US)
The bimini strap problem results because your top was not designed by Wm. J. Mills & Co.
In the way-back, Mills invented a very nifty approach to retaining the aft end of their "flying top" in such a way that it would not interfere with fishing. I've never seen any other maker figure this out. It is one of the reasons people like the Mills canvas: well designed and well made.
Perry posted 07-08-2003 12:49 AM ET (US)
How far beyond the console does the 150 qt cooler stick out? I put a 94 qt cooler up front and it is almost flush with the console. I also feared a problem with the bimini straps getting in the way on my Dauntless 160 so I had a custom T-top made for it.
millerbr posted 07-08-2003 11:33 AM ET (US)
Perry, I would love to see pics of your T-top.
I had my 160 in 4' Lake Michigan chop this weekend and was very pleased with the boat. Sure I took a beating, but I was never concerned about if the boat could handle it or not.
Perry posted 07-08-2003 04:37 PM ET (US)
I hope this works
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/carsonperry/lst?.dir=/Whaler&.src=ph&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/&.view=t
Jarhead posted 07-08-2003 04:40 PM ET (US)
I've seen Perrys' pics..
Awesome..;)
cmarques posted 07-08-2003 07:49 PM ET (US)
The T top looks great but would never fit in my garage!
The 150 qt cooler sticks about 5-6" past each side of the console- still just enough room to step around-I found putting 5 gallon bucket inside with ice holds quite a few drinks and leaves the rest for fish. When I get some pictures developed will maybe have a good shot of it to post. I hope maybe this fall to have some curtains made for my top to keep some spray/rain out- I have been quoted by a few local canvas shops $450-$600 for clear vinyl/canvas that would be fitted to my existing top- does this sound reasonable?
andygere posted 07-09-2003 04:29 PM ET (US)
The bimini (Sun Top) on my dad's 1999 Dauntless 16 is a Mills unit, and it uses solid stainless supports in the back, anchored with quick release pins. It can be folded into the boot in the upright position, or laid back to rest on the jump seat backrests by way of a sliding track mounting system. When laid back it is completely out of the way, but it will interfere with tilting the motor all the way up. The entire unit can be removed in a few seconds with two screws and 2 quick release pins. While not quite as slick as the old Montauk system that drops inside the rails, it certainly is much nicer than the non-Mills units I've seen on other Dauntless 16's.

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Author	Topic: Offshore Dauntless 160
cmarques	posted 07-07-2003 11:09 PM ET (US) Made it back from Marathon last week with my Dauntless 160 after 4 days of hard fishing. It makes a very good fair weather offshore boat- all 4 days had ventured 20+ miles offshore- the big boat guys though I was nuts being that far out in a 16 footer but felt very comfortable and safe the whole time. Came back the last day from 22.5 miles out of Vaca Cut in close 3-4 footers took a little pounding and got soaked. Everything worked flawlessly axcept for some vhf radio probs. Couldn't talk to a friend's boat more than a mile away until I found the solder joint busted in the antenna connector- jammed a fish hook through it and the coax and got out almost 15 miles crystal clear! A few things i learned about the Dauntless 160 on this trip: Combo of WOT across the ocean and lots of trolling with Merc 90 2S returned about 3-3.5 mpg running 7+ hours each day. Dead little shrimp will clog the livewell drain and stink bad! Never had a problem with tank vent fueling on the water. Hitting dock at motel will bend Tigress clamp on rod holder and almost snap Penn Senator trolling rod. Adapting 150 qt Igloo cooler to fit in place of 54qt cooler seat makes a good fisbox and plenty of room for drinks, food, etc. The rear bimini top straps interfere with landing fish along side boat -(has anyone eliminated these or added extra bracing to top to get rid of these? let me know) Can't wait to try all of the above again!!!
jimh	posted 07-07-2003 11:18 PM ET (US) The bimini strap problem results because your top was not designed by Wm. J. Mills & Co. In the way-back, Mills invented a very nifty approach to retaining the aft end of their "flying top" in such a way that it would not interfere with fishing. I've never seen any other maker figure this out. It is one of the reasons people like the Mills canvas: well designed and well made.
Perry	posted 07-08-2003 12:49 AM ET (US) How far beyond the console does the 150 qt cooler stick out? I put a 94 qt cooler up front and it is almost flush with the console. I also feared a problem with the bimini straps getting in the way on my Dauntless 160 so I had a custom T-top made for it.
millerbr	posted 07-08-2003 11:33 AM ET (US) Perry, I would love to see pics of your T-top. I had my 160 in 4' Lake Michigan chop this weekend and was very pleased with the boat. Sure I took a beating, but I was never concerned about if the boat could handle it or not.
Perry	posted 07-08-2003 04:37 PM ET (US) I hope this works http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/carsonperry/lst?.dir=/Whaler&.src=ph&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/&.view=t
Jarhead	posted 07-08-2003 04:40 PM ET (US) I've seen Perrys' pics.. Awesome..;)
cmarques	posted 07-08-2003 07:49 PM ET (US) The T top looks great but would never fit in my garage! The 150 qt cooler sticks about 5-6" past each side of the console- still just enough room to step around-I found putting 5 gallon bucket inside with ice holds quite a few drinks and leaves the rest for fish. When I get some pictures developed will maybe have a good shot of it to post. I hope maybe this fall to have some curtains made for my top to keep some spray/rain out- I have been quoted by a few local canvas shops $450-$600 for clear vinyl/canvas that would be fitted to my existing top- does this sound reasonable?
andygere	posted 07-09-2003 04:29 PM ET (US) The bimini (Sun Top) on my dad's 1999 Dauntless 16 is a Mills unit, and it uses solid stainless supports in the back, anchored with quick release pins. It can be folded into the boot in the upright position, or laid back to rest on the jump seat backrests by way of a sliding track mounting system. When laid back it is completely out of the way, but it will interfere with tilting the motor all the way up. The entire unit can be removed in a few seconds with two screws and 2 quick release pins. While not quite as slick as the old Montauk system that drops inside the rails, it certainly is much nicer than the non-Mills units I've seen on other Dauntless 16's.