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I’m at a crossroads between these two amazing boats. I’m a first time boat buyer and feeling excited to be hopefully buying very soon.
For context I live in the SF Bay Area. I’m a Dad with a 4 year old daughter and wife. My wife and I have always dreamed of owning a boat since we moved here in 2006. We intend to use this boat on the San Pablo bay, SF Bay and Bodega Bay. And also trailer it to different lakes. Right now I’m torn between a 1997 Outrage 20 and a 2001 Dauntless 18. With any boat we buy, we’re going to choose our days of course. I like the layout of the Dauntless as it looks more appealing to take my family and friends out on. But we might have a rougher time on the water over the Outrage. 70% of the time it’ll be me and my family and 30% with my buddies fishing. I also want to do light fishing, nothing crazy… Striper, halibut, and don’t see myself going offshore too often, but maybe a quick dip when the weather/conditions are right.
I know the Outrage will handle chop/offshore way better, but I also wonder if the 2001 Dauntless can compete with the 1997 in that regard, since it’s newer and may have a different hull/V design?
Safety comes first and I don’t my wife and daughter to get beat up out there and feel safe/stable.
I’ve been a long time follower of this forum and appreciate any feedback yall may have!
Thank you for your input! I've spent countless hours researching whalers of all variations. Your suggestion definitely lines up with where my mind is at, so that's reassuring. I think my hold up is the 2001 Dauntless and it's rear bench seat and overall layout seems more "take your friends out" friendly, and it's a much cleaner boat than the 1997 Outrage I'm also looking at. I have to be realistic with how we'll use the boat and I would hate feeling compromised out there. That said the V hull of the Outrage sounds more made for the bay area bay waters and when I'm with my buddies, I'm sure we'll want to explore more offshore.
The Outrage I'm looking at is a Crosstackle and I know these were specialty spec'd Outrages in their day. That said it doesn't have a side rail, which I would have to get for extra safety for the kiddo! And the seating layout is a bit different... I guess just the lack of the rear bench seat? And I could probably fit more people and feel more stable on the 20' Outrage vs. the 18' Dauntless, yeah?
