posted 03-17-2007 02:15 PM ET (US)        

I've been very pleased to date with it's performance. I got the boat to help pursue my addiction to still-water fly fishing.

I was looking for a small boat with a shallow draft and reasonable forward casting platform. The Montauk with it's 7" draft (without the motor) has served me very well. I've been able to get into the small shallow coves I frequently fish with little or no problem.

I love the 60 hp 4 stroke merc. I'm coming off an old 2 stroke Seagull which was so loud you almost needed ear plugs and the smoke was so heavy you didn't need gps to track your trail - you could just follow the smoke trail.

The four stroke purrs like a kitten and absolutely no smoke. As far as power the 60 hp is more than adequate - I run mine at a higher elevation and am pleased with it's performance. I could see where one might think about a little more power for given situations, the delta for example, but the top rating for this boat is 60hp. The power shifter arm is a bit stiff but bearable.

Storage is a bit of an issue - very limited. The bow anchor locker offers some space and the 36qt ice chest offers some space as well - not much. I normally carry along another 48qt ice chest which I place in the stern of the boat. There is room in the center console area buts it's pretty limited as well. With the two batteries I carry both mounted in the center console this space is disappearing fast.

Space is adequate. I normally fish with my dog - a 75lb golden.- and we do just fine. Two people is about the comfortable limit for fly fishing and I could do three with two fishing at one time. The capacity is for six people - I still haven't figured out where you could seat 6 - the manual certainly doesn't show seating for six - but then again that's not in my game plan so it's of no concern.

I'm very happy with the layout of this boat. The center console is ideal for fishing allowing for movement around the perimeter of the boat. It's also idea for vision in terms of getting into tight coves - rocks, shoals, weed beds, sub-merged trees, etc. The steering wheel is a bit low, I'm 6'1" but shrinking as I type...so in a few years it ought to be fine.

A plug in for a bow mount trolling motor, like the Dauntless, would be a very nice addition.

Safety was very high on my list of priorities in selecting a boat and the whaler certainly fulfilled that need.

The glass hull is quieter than the aluminum and for the fishing I do that's a plus. It's also cooler to the touch on those hot days and not as cold as aluminum on those colder days. One draw back with the gelcoat is hitting rocks or being able to beach the boat on the shorelines I fish - sandy beaches in this area are few and far between. Here the aluminum shines as one just runs the boat aground and drops anchor without concern for cracks or chips.

I couldn't be happier with the ride - I must admit I heard the stories about a rough, wet ride and so far that just hasn't been a problem. I've put over 240 hrs on the boat in 2006' and have been in a lot of different conditions and to date have had no problems.

The cost of this boat was high - very high. I paid over $20,000.00 by the time I got it out the door which included the fishing package, swim latter, coast guard pkg, one Ritchie Compass and an agreement with the dealer to purchase a pate 18 gallon gas tank, one Mills mooring cover and a Lowrance LMS 334 gps/sonar unit all at dealer cost.

If I had it to do over I might have gone with the stern live well - it looks very nice installed and even though I don't use live bait I could see where it would come in handy for dry storage, act as a rear casting platform and even provide additional seating.

I did try and locate a used 17 Montauk out here for about six months and didn't
have any luck. But when I happened to bump into this brand new shinny 150 Montauk I just fell in love. And with the Karavan trailer and the break-a -way tongue it would fit in my garage - I was sold!!!

Will that's my run down on this boat - what's yours?

posted 03-18-2007 11:46 AM ET (US)            

Last July I threw my back out planting a tree and that kept me off the water for six weeks. Then the darn thing went out again the first week of November carrying a battery in from the whaler.

I've had minor problems over the years but if someone ever asked if I had a back problem back then, I could honestly answer no...heck in a week I was completely back to normal. Unfortunately this time it's stuck with me and even today I'm wondering if I'm going to be able to make it out this year - always thought I was bullet proof - old age is a bear.

Interestingly once I got back into the 150 Montauk after the first bout this past July my back didn't really bother me while on the water. I had read so many threads here on CW about people having to give up the smaller boats because their backs could no longer take the beating I was a little concerned.

But as I said the ride my 150 offers hasn't bothered my back at all. The only time I really felt at risk was dealing with the anchor but again never had any problems.

I'm hoping a trolling motor will reduce my need to anchor but being out by ones self 95% of the time I must admit the "what if" factor is frequently on my mind. But for me not being able to be on the water is a tough alternative.

Hopefully we'll both have a good year and be able to put in many, many hours on our Montauks - it's a great little boat.

Pete

posted 03-19-2007 04:37 AM ET (US)            

.....then I started stewing about not having a boat, (first time in over 20 yrs.).....it really started eating at me, and then the 150 Montauk became available. We were in a rental home, (PGA Village St. Lucie West, FL)and like most new Florida homes, the 2 car garage is only slightly larger than a small shed. No way to keep a boat anywhere but inside (and out of sight)of the garage. Anyway, I made that turn into the dealer one day, and within a few months of separation from my 150 Sport, I was riding in a new 150 Montauk, with fishing package, and livewell option.

It is a great boat, love the CC, love the livewell, love the external tanks, (two nice big orange plastic variety)outstanding economy, EFI instead of the sad plight of alot of owners of 4 stroke carburated 90 hp Mercs.

Prior to my purchase I looked at a number of "Classic" Montauks. I could not justify the investment of time, money and effort. I looked at one in Vero Beach, over $11,000 lift kept. Looked weathered and had some variations in the hull color. New engine. Had a T-top and I noticed some corrosion on the upper members of the T-top, more than below. Finally got the story from the owner after asking the right question. The boat had been flipped during one of the 3 hurricanes and spent quite a bit of time upsidedown on the lift, submerged stern/engine in the water. Hull dameaged by the hurricane, engine toasted. For a 10+ year old boat with that history, the $11k, new engine or not, was way over the top for me.

Bottom line, the 150 Montauk is almost the same size as the "Classic" 16'7" Montauk. The 150 Montauk has some amenities that are absent from the old ones, ie; livewell, pvc conduit for eletronics, better hull design, etc. Would I love to be riding in a "Classic" with wood console and beautiful blue interior? Yes! You bet! Do I have the time, money and patience to get there? No. I will happily keep my second 150 and enjoy the great small boat that it is.