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160 Dauntless Forward Shelter At Last!
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ContinuousWave Whaler Moderated Discussion Areas
ContinuousWave: Post-Classic Whalers
160 Dauntless Forward Shelter At Last!
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| Author | Topic: 160 Dauntless Forward Shelter At Last! |
| Marlin |
posted 05-26-2006 04:16 PM ET (US)  
As a few of you may recall, I've been looking for an affordable forward shelter solution for my 160 Dauntless for a couple of years. Last summer, my friend Henry (aka Yiddil) graciously allowed me to remove the Mills shelter from his 190 Nantucket and lay it out on my Dauntless, which looked pretty promising (see http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum8/HTML/002233.html ). Well, the time was never quite right for another major boat purchase last year, but this year I took a deep breath and ordered a Nantucket forward shelter from Mills. Today was installation day. I'm very pleased to report that the shelter fits extremely well, especially considering it was designed for a much larger boat. Installation was just a bit tricky, as fore-and-aft placement of the shelter needs to be within about 1/4" to avoid hitting the bowrail when collapsed, yet still get the forward hold-down mounted firmly on the gunwale. The entire installation took just under three hours. You can see some pictures of the final installation at http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v470/GoldenDaze/GoldenDaze/Dodger/ . For any other 160 Dauntless owners who are looking for a forward shelter, I say "go for it!". -Bob |
| kamie |
posted 05-26-2006 05:08 PM ET (US)
Wow. That looks great. How does she look with the shelter up and the bimini open? You should forward your photo's to Mills so they can offer to others. |
| Yiddil |
posted 05-26-2006 11:01 PM ET (US)
Marlin...Now thats what Im talking about!!!!! Looks Great, now all you need to do is figure out how to extend the cushion to the CC and remove the cooler to the stern!!!!! see below........... http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v511/Yiddil/ GReat, let us whaler together soon:))) |
| Yiddil |
posted 05-26-2006 11:12 PM ET (US)
I called mills about a mooring cover and they said 1146. for the nantucket!!! Yikes!!! seems like there charging more and adding about 100. to 150. for shipping...on the 13 mooring alone...640. I guess Im not ready to spend that kind of money on a cover...wonder what Whaler charges for there heavy duty one............... Hells bells , the sun lounge thingie ran more than any of that!!! But well worth it:)) We can unsnap thaT cushion and test it on yours boat Marlin...you never know...but Im assuming the starboard would have to be cut back.... My Best, Henry aka The Yiddil |
| Marlin |
posted 05-27-2006 09:11 AM ET (US)
Whaler actually does make a sun lounge for the 160 Dauntless, it's around $1000. It's on my list, but not too close to the top yet. The Nantucket sun lounge would probably reach back to my pilot's seat! Really, it's just an amazing coincidence that the forward shelter fits so well; in general the Nantucket is a much, much larger boat- you could probably fit my entire boat easily inside the Nantucket's gunwales. |
| andygere |
posted 05-27-2006 01:56 PM ET (US)
Marlin, great looking installation. I am going to forward this article to mad dad, who owns a 1999 Dauntless 16. He has a Mills bimini, mooring cover and console cover, all of which fit great and are top quality. I notice that you have rigged your bimini (sun top) with the support struts in the forward position. What does it look like with the top up? One feature I don't like about my dad's set up is that it's hard to get in and out of the boat when the bimini is in the "stored" position, because the aft support struts are in the way. The same thing goes for when we are fishing, they always seem to be in the way. When I take the boat to fish by myself, I usually take the top right off and leave it in the garage. On family beach and cruise days, it's not an option. With your set up, it looks like the top is out of the way, but there if you need it. |
| Yiddil |
posted 05-27-2006 05:13 PM ET (US)
Its really nice to know that all worked for you............extending your cushion to the CC is a really nice feature when you want to relax on a CC WHaler...Pat hated the idea...but when she uses it a while she will see the reason I had it put in...........:) In any case, now I can concentrate on the canvas issue next.....but first I need to get that boat out for a run on the Potomac...winds suposed to dye down for sun. and Monday..........anyone wanna meet us :)??? Kamie, get that issue worked out, I need some on the water time to gain strength for the swims...Marlin, you doing both of them or just the Chesapeake one???? I will need some help lubing that steering pully under the console of the 13...not surfe how that works....needs to be checked before I let someone use it for the swim:) Ill be down at CPM tomorrow morning.....fer the day"_O) |
| controller |
posted 05-27-2006 05:25 PM ET (US)
Looks great. I have a 2001 Dauntless and wanted to add a dodger as well. What does Mills charge for the Nantucket dodger? I just purchased the mooring cover and it fits like a glove. I previuosly had the console and seat cover from Mills, but I was tired of a dirty non-skid deck so I got the mooring cover. A little pticey at about $800, but it should last a lifetime and I won't have to clean the deck as often or as hard. Scott |
| Marlin |
posted 05-27-2006 06:16 PM ET (US)
By popular demand, I've added some new photos with the bimini up. It makes for a lot of shade, that's for sure. The Nantucket shelter is about $950, with about $150 for shipping. Compared to the custom quotes I got, the cheapest of which was $3000, the Mills shelter is a steal. Andy, Whaler put the struts on the front of the bimini starting in, I think, 2002. For a couple years the catalogs still showed them the other way around. At first I thought it looked dumb this way, but there are two advantages: as you say, it's pretty much out of the way for boarding and fishing, also it allows the center straps to the console to stay attached, which significantly stabilizes the folded bimini. Other commitments tomorrow, but hoping to get out for the first real outing of the year on Monday. Perhaps we'll do the Washington DC / Alexandria VA waterfront tour. Henry, I'll be at both swim events. See you there! Bring your USCGA notebook, I need a 2006 sticker. -Bob |
| Yiddil |
posted 05-28-2006 10:47 PM ET (US)
Looks Great Marlin....the new pics show how great that bow dodger looks with the Bimini up..... Marlin, I got out today!!!!!!DasBoat was sitting in her slip all painted and gorgeous and Paqt and I just said.."lets go for it"!!!! It was grand to be back on Das BOat....At one time i wasnt even sure Id ever see her again!!! Thanks to G-d I got another chance!!! We went out and as soon as Pat used it she loved it...So comfortable to sit on and lay out on:)) the sun lounge she completely changed her mind about not liking it..She loved it!! I was pretty skittish about going out, but no ill effects in 1 ft or less...tomorrow is less than a foot..but I didnt jump in the Potomac as Im not sure I can get up on my own yet...Pats got a frozen shoulder....so shes in the same boat sort of... But we will be out again tomorrow...your welcome to join us:))should be at CPM \by 10:30am.... speak to you soon Bob...Ill bring the inspection stickers for all the whalers for the swims:))still waiting on weather and trailer issues to determine which and how and when....for me... |
| cmarques |
posted 05-31-2006 11:35 PM ET (US)
Great job on the shelter! If I didn't install the trolling motor on the front of mine, this would be my next wish! Chris |
| Marlin |
posted 06-07-2006 09:11 PM ET (US)
With JimH's cooperation and help, forward shelter installation instructions are now in the Reference section of this excellent website. See http://www.continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/shelter.html Thanks again, Jim. -Bob |
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