Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by Jomass on 09/18/16 - 5:06 PM

I am making a decision about either repowering my 2004 Dauntless 160 or buying a pristine (20 hrs on it) 2014 170 for $25K. The repower includes new rigging and a few other repairs which comes to $12K. When all is said and done I will be in for about $25k with my old boat, including purchase price. The new one is in brand new showroom mint condition, it has a $1,500 Garmin, $500 stereo, hydraulic steering, Bimini, two batteries with switch, new trailer that has not been used. It's a sweet boat. It has a 90 Merc 4st on it. It's in dry storage and not painted.

I want to know if there are any knowledgable folks here who know these models. Is the 2004 a better hull and design? Have they cheaped out on the 2014.? Is there anything that should make me want to keep my old one vs the new one?

I am essentially getting a brand new boat ( at a great price)for the same as my old will cost and to me it's a no brainier. How ever I am not a Whaler expert, and I'd hate to find out I made a poor choice the hard way.
Thanks

Posted by Joe Kriz on 09/18/16 - 5:12 PM

For clarification:

What size motor does the 2014 Dauntless 170 have? Only a 90hp?
That is Minimum hp for that boat according to Boston Whaler catalogs.
http://www.bostonwhaler.com/Page.aspx...tless.aspx

What size motor would you be repowering the 2004 Dauntless 160 with?
What brand that requires you also changing controls, etc.?

Both the Dauntless 160 and 170 are rated for 115 hp max. from what I see in the specifications.

Edited by Joe Kriz on 09/18/16 - 5:29 PM

Posted by Silentpardner on 09/18/16 - 5:45 PM

I am essentially getting a brand new boat ( at a great price)for the same as my old will cost and to me it's a no brainier.

If true, your analysis of the deal would be spot-on, imho.

Posted by Jomass on 09/19/16 - 2:09 AM

I forgot to add that my 2004 has a 90 Merc 2-stroke. Which is plenty of power for me. I do realize that the 2014 is heavier, but I'm not looking to win any races. The reviews I've read of the 2014 with the 90 seem to be very good.

Posted by Jomass on 09/19/16 - 4:23 AM

I do want to clarify a couple of things. First off the good reviews of the 2014, are of the entire boat as a whole. However, I have not read too many good things about the Mercurys, and that is the one part of this that has me concerned. Do I get a virtually brand new boat with a motor that seems to have a bad rep, regardless if it new or not?
Or do I repower with the Yamaha 115 which I hear nothing but good things about (and get a 6 yr warranty)? On the coast of RI, I see that the market is dominated by about 70% Yamaha.

So it looks like a trade off either way. Get a pristine boat at a price that is near impossible to find, and cross my fingers that I get one of the non-lemon Mercs. Or stick with my 2004, with its dents and dings and other small repairs, but have a new rock solid power plant with a good warranty.

Posted by butchdavis on 09/20/16 - 6:07 AM

The 170 Dauntless with a 90HP Mercury four stroke will be woefully low powered, IMO. After owing a Dauntless 16 with a 115HP two stroke I can tell you the difference in high and low speed performance is almost unbelievable.

The 16 is such a sweet boat that I would repower to a 115. The value will be in the use of the boat more than how much you have spent.