posted 06-15-2005 02:19 PM ET (US)            

http://photobucket.com/albums/v665/warrent/Montauk%20Squid%20Run%20Feb%202005/

I've been out in waves that exceeded 6 feet and it might have been a little nicer to be in a Nantucket.

posted 06-15-2005 03:02 PM ET (US)            

The only reason I give this suggestion is because you've not commented about a concern for space (garage, etc) and you want to use the boat offshore.

The Montauk is adequate, but was not really designed for big water. The fuel capacity is less (even with mods), and it carries the weight higher. The boat is such a great all-around, versatile hull that it CAN be used offshore (and probably has been way more than it was originally intended!) and is adequate for the task when the conditions are favorable, but the Outrage or Nantucket will do better when the conditions are average or worse, and were designed more for this type of use.

Since you plan to use it offshore more than "occasionally," I'd either buy new and step into the larger models, or if money is a concern, look for a good strong, used 18 or 22 Outrage.

posted 06-22-2005 05:07 PM ET (US)            

I find that my hull "surfs" a big swell like an oversized surfboard. I was in morro bay last week in 8-9 foot waves doing 25 mph having a blast. No wind chop just a big lazy slow swell. I almost prefer that to flat calm. Lots of fun.

posted 06-23-2005 11:22 AM ET (US)            

Since this is your first boat purchase, keep in mind some add ons that you might want.

1) Kicker motor if you plan on fishing offshore.
2) GPS/Fishfinder and handheld backup gps.
3) Additional battery/batteries
4) 24/27 Pate gas tank
5) Downriggers
6) Bimini top (My wife wants me to get one)
7) Electric trolling motor
8) Trim tabs (Nantucket)
9) Mooring cover
10) Swim platform
11) Spare tire for trailer
12) Upgraded trailer (I trailer up to 360 miles round trip)
13) Mounted VHF and backup handheld vhf.
14) Trim gauge
15) Livewell

It's easy to spend an additional $10-15K on enhancements. If on a budget get the 170 Montauk loaded for the price of a bare bones Nantucket.

My 2 cents,
Warren

posted 06-23-2005 11:33 AM ET (US)            

http://photobucket.com/albums/v665/warrent/Montauk%20Kicker/

I find that my Montauk is perfect for 2-3 total fisherman on the boat.

posted 06-23-2005 11:58 AM ET (US)            

Looks like you're from the Bay Area. Where did you get your boat graphics done?

thanks,

posted 06-23-2005 04:03 PM ET (US)            

Graphics done at Outboard Motor Shop in Alameda by an outside independent contractor they referred.

posted 06-23-2005 09:57 PM ET (US)            

My Nantucket is a fine boat, and the Montauk is as well, but theres a big difference in weight between the two and there rides are different as well...

Ive had the non- pleasure of being out in the Chesapeake Bay in 5 footers coming from three directions...and I didnt perticularly care for that...Yes the Boat handled it fine, but the people didnt like it;)

posted 06-27-2005 02:20 PM ET (US)            

In my experience, I find the Montauk handles the heavy water just fine - even though the ride gets rough, the boat can take it, and I can tolerate a fair amount of bumping around. However, what makes a rough day really miserable for me is the wind-driven spray hitting me in the face. In my estimation, the Nantucket will have a slightly smoother ride, but it will still be pretty rough, and the spray will probably be unpleasant as well. With either boat, I'd still venture pretty far offshore, but only on good weather days. I don't think the I'd get to go out much more often in the Nantucket than the Montauk because of differing capabilities between the two boats.

posted 06-27-2005 05:34 PM ET (US)            

I think what he was implying was to use good judgement even if you have a Whaler.

posted 06-27-2005 06:09 PM ET (US)            

Canvas goes a long way to provide comfort on any of the Whalers that I have seen, however it can inhibit the fishability of the boat (canvas can get in the way!).

The Outrage series has greater fuel capacity - it hurts when you pay for fuel, but it makes a big difference for when weather conditions change while you're offshore. Being 20 miles out in an Outrage with older 2-stroke power might burn 10 gallons of fuel on the way out, but may burn more like double that on the way back in, fighting waves and wind, and at a slower, less economical speed. These are important considerations when calculating range.

The Nantucket or Eastport should be fine. The 170, being more like an 18' Outrage (classic) is adequate, except for the limited fuel capacity; and the Outrage series is your best bet.

Now let me get onto my storytelling stool and spin a yarn.

Last year on the Georgian Bay rendezvous, forum members Gep and Home Aside and I set out to cross the top of Manitoulin Island in the North Channel of Lake Huron. The afternoon had provided plenty of sunshine, but the wind was up and from the West, providing for rather lumpy wind-driven waves running between 4 and 6 feet. Gep and I own classic 18' Outrages (1981 and 1986 models), and Home Aside has a classic 17' Montauk (1982). The Outrages were able to run faster and harder into the waves than that poor Montauk. Were it not for the desire to stick together as a group and make sure everyone made it in safely, Gep and I surely would have left the Montauk in the dust. We were catching spray and some serious air from time to time, but were generally able to run on-plane at about 20 MPH through the conditions. The Montauk was forced to run on and off plane (further reducing fuel efficiency, etc). We only had to run a few miles in these conditions, but had we been offshore fishing all morning, that Montauk might not have had the fuel capacity to get home, operating in a much less fuel-efficient range than it would have on the way out.

Apples to oranges, I know...as I said - the 170 Montauk rides more like the classic 18' Outrage....but the fuel capacity is not even close. I tank 63 gallons in the Outrage, and record similar economy figures.

I occassionally run my 18 offshore (20+ miles out, not along shore) in Lake Michigan or Lake Huron, when the conditions are nice and after I've listened carefully to the forecast. The only other time I'd do it is when I'm in the company of other boats that I know would help if I had trouble.

Go with as much boat as you can afford (and that you need). YOu won't regret it. If you plan to go offshore often, consider buying a classic Outrage (22 or even a 25) and repowering it if necessary. If you must buy new...the Nantucket is the minimum I'd consider for that use.

I totally respect Warren (WT), but I do disagree with him in this regard. That Montauk is legendary for a reason...but if you're regularly venturing offshore, you should go bigger.

posted 06-27-2005 06:49 PM ET (US)            

Fedguy wants something capable of going offshore, trailerable and affordable. A 170 Montauk fills the order. A 22 Outrage fills the order too. It depends on definitions of offshore, trailer ability and affordability.

My 170 Montauk has a 24 gallon Pate tank and I also have my two stock 6.5 gallon tanks. I can carry 37 gallons and with a 4 mile per gallon range, that equates to 148 miles. So if I follow the 1/3 rule, I can go out 50 miles. :)

I hope to be chasing tuna within the next couple of months and I will probably carry even more fuel.

FYI, I don't plan on going offshore (more than 20 miles) unless I run with other boats.

posted 06-28-2005 02:25 AM ET (US)            

Would you want to take it out when wind waves are 5 foot or more? No

Would you want to take it out in square waves? (5 foot/5 seconds, 7 foot/ 7 seconds...) No

Most fishermen probably wouldn't want to be out in these conditions no matter the size of their boats anyway.

Tony, I’ll give you a shout when the posse makes the tuna run.

posted 06-28-2005 12:28 PM ET (US)            

Yes...sort of. The "notch" in a classic 17 isn't as large as the "notch" in the classic Outrage series...but in general, the answer is still yes.

Mikey - you proved my point waaaay up there above....the Montauk name is legendary because it can be used as you describe. The question becomes if you want those extra tanks on deck when regularly using the boat offshore, or would rather carry the majority of your fuel in a below-deck tank? For occasional use, what you describe sounds pretty good...heck, even LHG rigs his 18 with tempo's under the RPS 'Montauk style' for long offshore runs.

"I need a boat that I can use for fishing off the North Carolina coast"

posted 06-28-2005 04:21 PM ET (US)            

I would opt for a Whaler that is self bailing only for the piece of mind that should you ship a lot of water when all hell breaks loose (i.e. taking a large amount of water over the bow or stern in severe conditions) you will not have to think about your bilge pump pumping it out or having to leave the helm to pull the drain plug to run the water out.

Some of us may never experience this and I hope most of us never do, but it is always in the back of your mind when it gets nasty out there and confused seas and high winds materialize out of nowhere to rule the day.

I loved my 2003 Montauk 170 but I can honestly say that I made a mistake in purchasing it once I better understood my usage pattern, which frequently placed me in the middle of rough seas. It was my first small boat purchase after coming ashore from a career at sea on oil tankers. I guess I wanted my own "little oil tanker". I kept my Montauk for close to a season and then traded it in for a 2000 18 Outrage. I've had my Outrage for three years and am happy with the move to a bigger boat.

The Nantucket is a fine boat and worthy of all the accolades mentioned above. I have spent quite a few days fishing in one and it rates favorably with my own Outrage, better in some areas and less than in others, again depending on your usage pattern.

In my opinion, for the money of a new Montauk you should be able to pick up a lightly used Outrage that will give you a more secure feeling on the water. If you are really confused about the decision, see if you can arrange a number of rides in a variety of Whalers which should help in your decision. Best of luck and welcome to the Whaler family.

posted 07-05-2005 12:32 PM ET (US)            

Plus, the boat will fit my garage. Insurance is cheap. And it sips fuel compared to my larger boat.
So basically its cheap to keep.

The 19 nantucket is a nice boat, but it won't fit the garage. Deeper V so its a smoother ride. Larger gas tank so you can go out further. If you got the space for keeping this boat on your property, then it will be really nice.
If not, then it will cost you in storage space.

posted 07-06-2005 04:12 PM ET (US)            

I have lived, boated and surfed on both coasts. I understand both sided to this story but this guy is in NC. My suggestion to him would be, buy the biggest boat you can afford if you are going offshore into the gulf stream.

posted 07-09-2005 06:49 AM ET (US)            

With a small boat like the 170 Montauk you must choose your days, closely follow the weather forecasts, study the tide movements and the charts. Learn about the waters you're sailing, because they are all different. Make sure you have sources for communicating and backups.

One thing though: There is something amazing about being 32 miles out on the Med. in a Montauk on a clear, beautiful day...riding the house-high swells at a comfortable planning speed and seeing dolphins swimming at a short distance from the boat. If the conditions permit, well you could probably sail all the way to Ibiza.:-)

Erik