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Author Topic:   Dauntless 180 (2007) 4 Month Review

Feejer posted 08-04-2009 12:17 PM ET (US)
I took ownership of the Dauntless 180 on April 4th. To date I have 46 hours on the engine.
Overall
The boat and motor (Verado 150) have performed very well. I did run into a glitch on the smart craft gauge. I have been getting the "Check Engine" for no apparent reason. This has been discussed on the Verado Owners Site.
The ride is 100% better than the 2005 Montauk 170 I had. Fuel milage has been very impressive. My season average has been 4.3 MPG with an average speed of 21.3. Top end speed was 48MPH with 30 gallons of fuel on board
The pluses
Smart Craft Gauges, all the info you could ever want and then some. The fuel used page has been dead on.
Ride
Fuel Economy
Storage Room, tons of it compared to the 170
Hole Shot
This boat functions extremely well as both a fishing boat and a family ski / cruising boat.
The minus
Smart Craft glitch
Storage under rear seat stays pretty damp. I need to remember to raise the seat up at the end of the day
When backing down water comes in live well, I put a plug in and solved that issue.
Bow still riding a little high until boat is on plane even with the Quicksilver "Typhoon" 17. I will be adding trim tabs over the winter
Improvements that I'm going to make
Rig something up to hold the rear seat up when accessing storage under it. I've been bonked on the head one too many times
Options and Improvements I have made.
BEP Battery Switch
(2) Group 31 AGM Batteries
Garmin 498C
Standard Horizon Black Box VHF
AutoTeather
SeaDek Boston Whaler Logo Helm Mat
SeaDek 5mm added to rear deck by swim ladder
Costal Night Lights Under Water LED Lights
Quicksilver "Typhoon" 17
Under Console Red LED lights
Last but not least is the custom RPS seat cushion that was made for me buy Ray Martin. It might look a little goofy but the seat is far more functional and comfortable than the standard cushion. Mine is 9 inches thick, compared to the factory 3.
Pictures of the boat and some of the option I have added can be seen here
http://8140341.phanfare.com/

K Albus posted 08-04-2009 02:42 PM ET (US)
I have a 2002 Dauntless 180, and I couldn't agree more with Feejer about the problem with the rear seat storage compartment. I really wish Boston Whaler had put a set of gas strut under the seats to hold them up when they are open. I have been knocked in the head by the falling seats more times than I can remember (loss of memory being a side effect of the many concussions suffered). It also would have been nice if Boston Whaler had included a gas strut on the anchor locker hatch which has fallen on my fingers a few times.
Feejer posted 08-04-2009 02:46 PM ET (US)
I might look into adding a gas strut that is like the one on the deck lid.
Feejer posted 08-05-2009 04:50 PM ET (US)
I forgot to add the dealer replaced the rear seat deck about 6 weeks after I took delivery. We did not see it until the day I picked it up was their was a little dimple on the top side gel coat from the screw under it. It was driven in too far at the factory. Instead of trying to fix it they replaced the deck
MontanaWhaler posted 08-05-2009 11:33 PM ET (US)

I'm glad you like your boat. Our 05 180 Dauntless with 150 Optimax has exceeded our expectations as well. It had 106 hours when we purchased it in 2008 and now has over 300 hours.It has been equally capable 40 miles offshore in the pacific and fishing the shallows in the Keys. We love that boat!
There have not been any significant issues and no whaler related ones.
Feejer posted 08-10-2009 03:10 PM ET (US)
Wow, 40 miles off shore? I thought 8 miles off OI was far in an 18 foot boat
highanddry posted 08-10-2009 08:52 PM ET (US)
It is not unusual for people on the Pacific coast to run out further than those with similar boats on the Gulf or Atlantic, they don't have those nasty t-storms like chased us back through the inlet in Destin last week with significant winds and seas and at least one boat down and a rescue for four.
MontanaWhaler posted 08-11-2009 11:40 PM ET (US)
Yes, that's true it's a different ball game on the West Coast. You are also in thousands of feet of water 5 miles offshore of Dana Point,CA where we were and I think that changes the nature of the waves. I've had it about 20 miles offshore in SC and you really need to pick your days for that.
MontanaWhaler posted 08-11-2009 11:44 PM ET (US)
SC=South Carolina in the above comment. BD
Andrewdavis34 posted 08-23-2009 12:36 AM ET (US)
Hi,
I too take my 2008 170 30+ miles offshore. I live in San Diego Ca. Not a big deal in the summertime.
Andrew
Feejer posted 08-29-2009 08:44 PM ET (US)
I'd like to also add a thru hull transducer, B60. Let me know if any of you have done this.
masbama posted 08-30-2009 12:49 PM ET (US)
I couldn't get a thru-hull transducer to work on my 1999 18'.
Feejer posted 08-30-2009 02:19 PM ET (US)
Good to know, I wonder why? I'm talking about a thru hull, not a shoot thru

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Author	Topic: Dauntless 180 (2007) 4 Month Review
Feejer	posted 08-04-2009 12:17 PM ET (US) I took ownership of the Dauntless 180 on April 4th. To date I have 46 hours on the engine. Overall The boat and motor (Verado 150) have performed very well. I did run into a glitch on the smart craft gauge. I have been getting the "Check Engine" for no apparent reason. This has been discussed on the Verado Owners Site. The ride is 100% better than the 2005 Montauk 170 I had. Fuel milage has been very impressive. My season average has been 4.3 MPG with an average speed of 21.3. Top end speed was 48MPH with 30 gallons of fuel on board The pluses Smart Craft Gauges, all the info you could ever want and then some. The fuel used page has been dead on. Ride Fuel Economy Storage Room, tons of it compared to the 170 Hole Shot This boat functions extremely well as both a fishing boat and a family ski / cruising boat. The minus Smart Craft glitch Storage under rear seat stays pretty damp. I need to remember to raise the seat up at the end of the day When backing down water comes in live well, I put a plug in and solved that issue. Bow still riding a little high until boat is on plane even with the Quicksilver "Typhoon" 17. I will be adding trim tabs over the winter Improvements that I'm going to make Rig something up to hold the rear seat up when accessing storage under it. I've been bonked on the head one too many times Options and Improvements I have made. BEP Battery Switch (2) Group 31 AGM Batteries Garmin 498C Standard Horizon Black Box VHF AutoTeather SeaDek Boston Whaler Logo Helm Mat SeaDek 5mm added to rear deck by swim ladder Costal Night Lights Under Water LED Lights Quicksilver "Typhoon" 17 Under Console Red LED lights Last but not least is the custom RPS seat cushion that was made for me buy Ray Martin. It might look a little goofy but the seat is far more functional and comfortable than the standard cushion. Mine is 9 inches thick, compared to the factory 3. Pictures of the boat and some of the option I have added can be seen here http://8140341.phanfare.com/
K Albus	posted 08-04-2009 02:42 PM ET (US) I have a 2002 Dauntless 180, and I couldn't agree more with Feejer about the problem with the rear seat storage compartment. I really wish Boston Whaler had put a set of gas strut under the seats to hold them up when they are open. I have been knocked in the head by the falling seats more times than I can remember (loss of memory being a side effect of the many concussions suffered). It also would have been nice if Boston Whaler had included a gas strut on the anchor locker hatch which has fallen on my fingers a few times.
Feejer	posted 08-04-2009 02:46 PM ET (US) I might look into adding a gas strut that is like the one on the deck lid.
Feejer	posted 08-05-2009 04:50 PM ET (US) I forgot to add the dealer replaced the rear seat deck about 6 weeks after I took delivery. We did not see it until the day I picked it up was their was a little dimple on the top side gel coat from the screw under it. It was driven in too far at the factory. Instead of trying to fix it they replaced the deck
MontanaWhaler	posted 08-05-2009 11:33 PM ET (US) I'm glad you like your boat. Our 05 180 Dauntless with 150 Optimax has exceeded our expectations as well. It had 106 hours when we purchased it in 2008 and now has over 300 hours.It has been equally capable 40 miles offshore in the pacific and fishing the shallows in the Keys. We love that boat! There have not been any significant issues and no whaler related ones.
Feejer	posted 08-10-2009 03:10 PM ET (US) Wow, 40 miles off shore? I thought 8 miles off OI was far in an 18 foot boat
highanddry	posted 08-10-2009 08:52 PM ET (US) It is not unusual for people on the Pacific coast to run out further than those with similar boats on the Gulf or Atlantic, they don't have those nasty t-storms like chased us back through the inlet in Destin last week with significant winds and seas and at least one boat down and a rescue for four.
MontanaWhaler	posted 08-11-2009 11:40 PM ET (US) Yes, that's true it's a different ball game on the West Coast. You are also in thousands of feet of water 5 miles offshore of Dana Point,CA where we were and I think that changes the nature of the waves. I've had it about 20 miles offshore in SC and you really need to pick your days for that.
MontanaWhaler	posted 08-11-2009 11:44 PM ET (US) SC=South Carolina in the above comment. BD
Andrewdavis34	posted 08-23-2009 12:36 AM ET (US) Hi, I too take my 2008 170 30+ miles offshore. I live in San Diego Ca. Not a big deal in the summertime. Andrew
Feejer	posted 08-29-2009 08:44 PM ET (US) I'd like to also add a thru hull transducer, B60. Let me know if any of you have done this.
masbama	posted 08-30-2009 12:49 PM ET (US) I couldn't get a thru-hull transducer to work on my 1999 18'.
Feejer	posted 08-30-2009 02:19 PM ET (US) Good to know, I wonder why? I'm talking about a thru hull, not a shoot thru