2003 Dauntless 160: Save or Scrap

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duke0372
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2003 Dauntless 160: Save or Scrap

Postby duke0372 » Sun Sep 12, 2021 9:18 pm

{Imputed Question:] Is a 2003 160 DAUNLTESS hull with no major damage worth $2,950?

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Fig. 1. 2003 DAUNTLESS 160 involved in highway rear-end collision.
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LONG BACKSTORY:
I have owned the 2003 Dauntless 160 for about two years. I bought it for $14,000. Most everything was original: a 2002 115-HP EFI four-stroke-power-cycle engine with around 400-hours run time, a good trailer, trailer, and all in clean condition.

The 2003 DAUNTLESS 160 boat was working great for what I needed. On Lake St. Clair two people could fish even in rough weather and still stay dry.

In August 2021 the boat trailer was hit in a rear-end collision on an expressway. The trailer and the engine are a total loss. The hull has some scratches but no holes or anything major. My insurance company will "total" the boat and motor for $15,000 and then they would take the boat, engine, and trailer. I could buy then buy back the rig for $2,950. I would effectively be left with a hull that needs some fiberglass repairs, I'd need a new engine, most likely new cables, and another trailer. My net from insurance would be about $12,000.

I could buy a used trailer--the trailer isn't covered by the insurance anyway. I found a used one might fit for $1,000.

I can get a new Mercury 115-HP engine for $10,700 if I drive to another state, effectively $11,000 the cost of travel.

I know I will need a more stuff.

jimh
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Re: 2003 Dauntless 160: Save or Scrap

Postby jimh » Mon Sep 13, 2021 7:51 am

If the hull of the 2003 DAUNTLESS 160 has no real structural damage, and your cost to retain the hull is only $2,950, and if you like the boat, then you should buy-back the hull. Minor scratches to the gel coat can be easily repaired.

The critical point: there must be no actual structural damage to the hull.

Another element: do you like the boat? Or do you want to take the full insurance money and move to a larger boat?

If you also get the engine as part of the buy-back, the engine still has value. Since the engine power head was not running, the damage might be minimal. It could be sold or mated with a new midsection and mount.

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Phil T
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Re: 2003 Dauntless 160: Save or Scrap

Postby Phil T » Mon Sep 13, 2021 8:09 am

In today's market a Dauntless 160 without motor would be purchased for $5,000.

Finding a new or a used outboard and a trailer will be what requires a little bit of work and a whole lot of patience.
1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
Member since 2003

duke0372
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Joined: Sun Sep 12, 2021 11:22 am

Re: 2003 Dauntless 160: Save or Scrap

Postby duke0372 » Tue Sep 14, 2021 8:21 am

Just a short follow up and some answers:

- yes, I did/do love the boat, very practical for my needs;
- I ended up buying it back; and yes, the engine is part or the buy-back;
- a few more pictures of the damage attached...

Now the fun begins...
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Phil T
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Re: 2003 Dauntless 160: Save or Scrap

Postby Phil T » Tue Sep 14, 2021 10:00 am

Any bow damage?
1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
Member since 2003

duke0372
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Joined: Sun Sep 12, 2021 11:22 am

Re: 2003 Dauntless 160: Save or Scrap

Postby duke0372 » Tue Sep 14, 2021 10:36 am

Very little; I have some side damage from over a year ago that I'll try fixing at this point as well, but that was me (scraping it along a steel seawall).

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GoldenDaze
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Re: 2003 Dauntless 160: Save or Scrap

Postby GoldenDaze » Wed Sep 15, 2021 1:08 pm

I don't see anything too serious. The only thing that catches my eye is the first close-up photo of the transom, it looks like the fiberglass skin might be peeling off the portside strake. That might turn into a somewhat larger area of repair than it first appears, but nothing here looks structural.
2003 160 Dauntless Golden Daze

duke0372
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Re: 2003 Dauntless 160: Save or Scrap

Postby duke0372 » Thu Sep 16, 2021 7:41 am

Correct, the biggest damage is where you pointed it out and one more spot, not as bad as the first one though - two close-up photo's attached
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GoldenDaze
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Re: 2003 Dauntless 160: Save or Scrap

Postby GoldenDaze » Thu Sep 16, 2021 8:51 am

You've got some work to do but really it doesn't look all that bad. And you get a new engine out of it, so that eases the pain a bit. If you haven't seen Tom W. Clark's article on hull repair, check it out at https://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/whalerRepair.html. Good luck!

-Bob
2003 160 Dauntless Golden Daze