posted 08-28-2009 09:59 PM ET (US)            

Many have complained about the hull porpoising, I have not had any problems and have not used a hydrofoil or other remedy.

There is a slight difference between the early dauntless and later ones called the "notch." This difference is part of transom. It has been discussed at length on this forum, Do a search on dauntless notch.

A forum member, Marlin, is the undisputed expert on the performance of the Dauntless 160. Do a search on Marlin.

This summer I took my Dauntless up to Puget Sound. I thought it was a great boat for those waters. If you are planning to go off shore then it is the wrong boat.

Like all boats, if it does what you want it do a decent price then it is a great boat.

posted 08-29-2009 10:56 PM ET (US)            

I don't agree with frontier that the boat has a weight problem, but it is certainly a heavy boat for its size. It's also almost certainly the "biggest" 16-footer you'll find anywhere. The boat is extremely solid and has a reasonably good ride in chop, if you have a lower-unit foil that will help keep the bow down -- to me, the foil is a must. I've been in as large as 4-foot breaking waves with safety, if not exactly comfort.

The 160 is a much bigger boat than the Dauntless 15, much more so than the 1-foot difference would suggest. It is similarly sized to the 170 Montauk, though arguably with a bit less interior space. However, it has a 45-gallon internal tank that the Montauk does not -- there are many threads that compare and contrast the two boats.

Because of the boat's size and weight, you will probably find that a typical car or car-based SUV with a 3500 lb. towing limit is not ideal. I got a lot happier with towing when I switched from our Volvo V70 to a Ford Explorer V8.

I would not recommend the boat with the 90 4-stroke, since the engine is relatively heavy for its power. The 90 2-stroke or 90 Optimax are fair choices, but really I'd recommend any of the 115s. I've been very happy with my 115 4-stroke (the older version with the Yamaha powerhead). The boat will make about 38-39 mph with a 90 and 44-45 with a 115. After experimenting with a few props, I've been very happy with a Mercury Trophy Plus 40-blade 17" prop with medium vent plugs.

I recently took the boat on the around-Manhattan rendezvous. We made 80 miles on that trip, with 5 people on board, through varying conditions. The boat can go anywhere, within reason.

Feel free to ask about anything in particular.

-Bob

posted 08-30-2009 10:17 PM ET (US)            

I'm not familiar with the 100 Yamaha, but I assume it's a 2-stroke engine. If so, the boat should perform reasonably well with that engine, much the same as with the Mercury 90 2-stroke. Over the years, others with that engine have reported a top speed of 38-39. In general, the boat does have a tendency to porpoise, especially with the heavier 4-stroke engines. I found the lower unit hydrofoil to be an enormous help. The boat should perform well with 4 people, though if you ski you might find that you want a second propeller with a few inches less pitch.

The boat is indeed slower to plane with people in the rear seats. With my original 16" Vengeance the boat was very difficult to plane with 4 or more people and a full tank. Just tonight I was out with a very full boat, and the 17" Trophy Plus got the boat planed off somewhat slowly but successfully. Regardless of your motor, propeller selection is an important choice. You will certainly want a prop that allows you to get all the way up to the engine's maximum RPM rating, which is probably somewhere aroun 5500.

This boat handles rough conditions very well for a 16-footer. I usually boat on the Potomac River or the Chesapeake Bay, where I've encountered rough conditions up to 4-footers. Of course, it's only a 16-foot boat, so the ride is not smooth in waves over a foot, but the boat has proven to be very seaworthy. The foil really helps keeping the bow down and smoothing out the ride.

I can't really help you on the trolling motor question, other than to note that there is reinforcing backing material on the port side of the bow. There is also a rigging tunnel that runs from the center console to the bow, but unless the bow trolling motor panel was factory-installed, I don't think there's any way to get at the forward end of the tunnel.

posted 08-31-2009 08:42 PM ET (US)            

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/cmarques1/ trolling%20motor%20mounted%20on%20Dauntless%20160/

There is a wiring conduit from the console to the bow as seen in one picture. It will take about 9-10 feet of wire if I remember right to go from the panel to the console and battery. I found Anchor brand 6 gauge wire will fit through the conduit. Other wire brands with heavy insulation may not fit. I have a 12volt 55lb Minn-Kota Riptide that works very well but is hard to hold on windy days although it does move the boat around very well. If you can stuff 3 batteries in the console then I would go for a 24volt motor instead.

Member Jamber has or had a 160 with the Yamaha 100. If you search Jamber and Dauntless it will bring up some of his thoughts about that combination.

posted 09-01-2009 10:26 PM ET (US)            

Have owned 2001 dauntless16, Yam F100 since summer 2001(Purchased new). Do 99% boating in LI Sound. Trailer boat to Keys often. It has been a great small boat. I agree pretty much with Marlin's assessment of boat. Main Points:

1- It's an inshore boat
2- Hydrofoil improved ride (reduced pounding)tremendously
3- Boat is trim sensitive, with practice porpoising can be. eliminated
4- Easy to tow and launch but not for litewt. tow vehicles.
5- If had to repower would go with F115.
6- Yamaha engine has been great-do my own maint. no major isssues.
7- 17 pitch ss prop is best for heavy loads, max revs, and hole slot. 38 mph gps top speed. 4.8 mpg avg. fuel economy on fillups based on dist. travel(gps).
8- Fits in 10x19.5 garage like glove. 8ft door ht requires trailer tongue to be full down for console to clear
9- Max fishing comfort no more than 3 people total

This boat has made boating affordable for me and is generally adequate for the sea conditions in LI Sound. With 45 gal tank it has great range. I often think about upsizing (I like the 01 Outrage 21)but when I weigh out the increase cost factors (fuel,storage, etc) common sense tells me to stay with my current boat. Heck if I did upgrade I'd probably keep my 16 footer.

posted 09-07-2009 02:54 PM ET (US)            

The starting battery plus the two trolling batteries were lined up across the floor of the center console in Attwood battery trays. A Guest 12/14V battery charger was connected to the two trolling batteries. The circuit was protected by a Blue Sea Systems circuit breaker.