Identify Boat Said to be a 2005 GUARDIAN 18

[sweziose]

[Moderator's note: This post has been moved to the forum THE GAM for discussion from the forum INTRODUCTION TO THE FORUM SOFTWARE. The forum INTRODUCTION TO THE FORUM SOFTWARE is not a boating forum and should never be used for posting boating topics.]

I have an opportunity to buy what’s supposedly a 2005 GUARDIAN 18, but I’m struggling to figure out exactly what it is. I can’t tell if it’s based on an OUTRAGE or DAUNTLESS hull, and there’s surprisingly little info on-line about these c.2005 GUARDIAN models.

Fig. 1. A boat being sold as a 2005 GUARDIAN 18.

2005GUARDIAN18.jpg (176.75 KiB) Viewed 455 times

I’ve read that some Guardians used reinforced recreational hulls while others may have had unique commercial layups. I’m hoping some of the hardcore Whaler experts here can help identify this boat.

Q1: how can the origin hull for this boat be determined as coming from an OUTRAGE or DAUNTLESS hull?

Q2: what are the difference between an OUTRAGE hull and a DAUNTLESS hull?

Q3: where can specifications from 2005 be found?

Q4: what is the weight difference between an OUTRAGE hull and a DAUNTLESS hull when converted to a GUARDIAN model?

Variation on Q2:
Q5: how does a "GUARDIAN 18" hull different from a standard model OUTRAGE or DAUNTLESS hull?

If any readers own a 2005 GUARDIAN 18, please join this thread.

[jimh]

In 2005 there was no "OUTRAGE 18" hull. The boat seen in Figure 1 has a DAUNTLESS-style hull.

However, the boat is clearly not a "Dauntless" model, based on the seating, the console, the extensive and large tubular frame for the T-Top, the soft T-Top , the large hull-side fender strips amidships, larger cleats, and other elements not seen in a recreational model DAUNTLESS 18.

By the model year 2001 Boston Whaler began to use a different Manufacturer Identity Code (MIC) in the federal hull identification number (HIN). Instead of the code BWC for Boston Whaler Company, if the boat was sold by the Whaler Commercial Group the MIC would be indicated as WCG.

Cf: https://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/FAQ/#Q2

A simple inspection of the federal HIN plate on your boat should resolve any confusion about the designation as a commercial/government hull and a recreational hull.

In general, the fiberglass lamination layup schedule for hulls sold as commercial and government boat was always thicker, stronger, and heavier than the layup schedule used for recreational models.

A model year 2005 DAUNTLESS 18 hull had a specified DRY WEIGHT of 2,000-lbs. I do not have any data about the weight of a 2005 GUARDIAN 18, but you should expect the boat to be significantly heavier than a recreational model due to the hull lay up schedule , the large tubular powder-coating railings and frame for the hard top, the hardtop, the seating, and other commercial grade accessories typically used in a GUARDIAN boat.

As for the influence of the stronger hull and added weight, the boat's performance may require a larger engine than a recreational hull, and the fuel burn rate will be higher than that of a recreational hull due to the need to provide more horsepower to propel the boat at planing speeds. The lighter recreational DAUNTLESS 18 needed at least a 115-HP engine just to be able to get on plane with a minimal load and crew aboard, but that hull was limited to a maximum of 150-HP. On that basis the commercial hull probably would need 150-HP to be able to accelerate and remain on plane.

[NorthShoreWhaler]

This boat might be a former Disney boat from Orlando. Walt Disney World has a fleet of these used for patrol on their lakes, and this boat looks similar.

[jimh]

On the side of the center console there is an interesting decal. That decal might give further information about the boat's origin and prior use.

If the boat under discussion was made by Whaler Commercial and Government Products, they are still operating but are now using the identity of Brunswick Commercial and Government Products.

They support their customers at their website:

https://www.brunswickcgp.com/contact-us.html#item_1

This forum and website does not have the mission of supporting the governments or military customers of Brunswick Commercial and Government boats. The boats made by Brunswick Commercial and Government Products are often built to the customer's specifications and are not all the same nor do they all have the same components, weights, and features nor are they just standard configurations pre-built on speculation for possible future sales.