CONTINUOUSWAVE

I plan to buy a 170 MONTAUK. I prefer a used 170 MONTAUK from 2003 or newer.

[This thread moved to THE GAM because a discussion broke out instead of a simple notice of wanted-to-buy.--Moderator]

Mike--I edited your post to correct the model names. A Montauk produced prior to 2003 is called MONTAUK 17. From 2003 to date, the model name is 170 MONTAUK.

The 170 MONTAUK was produced starting in the 2002 model year. The classic Montauk 17 was also last produced in the 2002 model year. In the 2002 model year year you have two different MONTAUK models. The hull shapes are slightly different and the length is different. The classic MONTAUK 17 is 16-feet 7-inches, and the 2002 new-hull- design 170 MONTAUK is 17-feet 0-inches; the new hull has a wider beam by a few inches and is about 500-lbs heavier.

I own one of the first 170 MONTAUK boats; it is model year 2002.

Good luck with the search. It is a great boat. Others here have coined the term the "Swiss Army Knife" of boats and they are right on.

Thanks for the tips and pointers. My impression was once Boston Whaler produced a model like the Montauk they stayed with the design except for minor changes. Those [hull design] changes seem like design [changes] and upgrades.

The MONTAUK 17 did not have any design changes.

The 170 MONTAUK has two versions that are significantly different from each other. Boston Whaler does not reflect the versions in their use of the term "170 MONTAUK."

170 MONTAUK I produced from 2002 to 2017

170 MONTAUK II produced from 2018 to date.

Boston Whaler uses the term "MONTAUK" to describe an open skiff boat with center console. The designator MONTAUK has been applied to many different models of different hull design and different length, but all with an open cockpit and center console.

When buying a used 170 MONTAUK you will likely be buying the boat with its original engine. The engine used on the 170 MONTAUK varied over the years, from 60-HP FOURSTROKE, 90-HP two-stroke-power-cycle, 90-HP FOURSTROKE. The engine and its condition are very important factors in determining the value in a used 170 MONTAUK.

WIth regard to Mercury 90-HP FOURSTROKE engines, there are FOUR very different models used.

Prior to c.2006 the 90-HP four-stroke-power-cycle or 90 FOURSTROKE engine could have been a Yamaha powerhead engine with carburetors or a Yamaha power head engine with simple electrically control fuel-air induction (often called "injection" somewhat inappropriately) and called a Yama-Merc.

After c.2006 the 90 FOURSTROKE engine would more likely be a Mercury in-line four-cylinder 1.7-liter four-stroke-power-cycle engine based on the VERADO four-cylinder engine block without forced air induction, an engine often discussed under the nickname VERADITO, as in a Spanish sobriquet for "little VERADO." This engine had an unusually large domed cowling for a 90-HP engine. More on the VERADITO at

http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/005118.html

In c.2014 Mercury replaced the VERADITO with a new 2.1-liter 90 FOURSTOKE. I would expect this version of the 90 FOURSTROKE to only be found on boats made more recently, perhaps just in the past five seven years.

For a very good summary of the FOUR different versions of 90 FOURSTROKE engine from Mercury, see

A Brief History of the Mercury 90-HP FOURSTROKE
viewtopic.php?t=2405

Also, a careful reading of the REFERENCE section article on the 170 MONTAUK will give you greater insight on the 170 MONTAUK and some variations:

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/170Montauk/

For the latest 170 MONTAUK II models, read this timely discussion that accompanied their introduction:

Boston Whaler Introduces the 2018 170 MONTAUK
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2588