2001 Dauntless 16 v. 2000 Ventura 18

[keithp66]

Q1: will the ride be much different on a 2000 VENTURA 18 compared to a 2001 DAUNTLESS 16?

BACKSTORY

I may sell my 2001 DAUNTLESS 16 and get a larger boat. The 2001 DAUNTLESS 16 has been a great boat--and I love it--but when the wave height is greater than two-feet at times I feel limited. The 2001 DAUNTLESS 16 can handle waves bigger [the two-feet] but the ride is usually pretty slow and bumpy.

For sale near me is a 2000 VENTURA 18. I like the dual console. The asking price for the 2000 VENTURA 18 is right. I would break even. The cost is not an concern.

ASIDE: I hope everyone had a great summer.

[Jefecinco]

I doubt you would experience much ride improvement in a 2000 VENTURA 18 compared to a 2001 DAUNTLESS 16. The two hulls are very similar and, I believe, have the same deadrise. The slightly larger hull and slightly heavier hull should result in a slightly better ride.

Before moving up for a better ride ask the Ventura owner to allow you to operate his boat when the seas are over two feet. That should provide you with a definitive answer.

[Phil T]

Need more LOA and more deadrise to really see a ride improvement.

The Dauntless is a near shore design with a shallow deadrise.

For real improvement, go for a true V hull design like an Outrage, 22-24 feet. Classic or post-classic.

[RLSmith]

I have a 2000 DAUNTLESS 16 that I have enjoyed for 20 years. I have Bennett trim tabs on my DAUNTLESS 16. They improve the ride quite a bit in chop, rough water, and small swells. Trim tabs wouldn't help as much on a 16-foot boat in seas where the wave height is really two-foot or higher [as they help in chop, rough water, and small swells].