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Good Morning,
My wife and I are currently in between boats, and looking at Boston Whalers. We have a small car with limited towing capabilities ( 1500 lbs). Looking at various sites it appears that we could tow all of the 15 or 16 footers. My question is on the 17s. The current 170 Montauks are listed on the Whaler site as 1700 lbs. plus motor and trailer, which is too heavy. Other sites list the older Montauk 17s ( 1979 thru 1997) at about 1000 lbs plus motor and trailer. Is there that big of a difference, and if so what changed and when?
Thank you

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With your tow limit, your search should be limited to:

13' Sport/SuperSport and Dauntless
15' Sport/SuperSport and Dauntless

16' Nauset/Cohassett, Katama etc.
1973-2002 Montauk 17

There are three versions of the Montauk.

1973-2002 Montauk 17 (Smirked hull)
2002-2018 Montauk 170 (post classic hull, interior changes)
2019 - current Montauk 170 (II) (Hull changes, internal tank, interior changes.

If you look at photos you can see the changes are obvious.

Each has significant hull and interior changes but a similar model naming due to the marketing ding dongs at Boston Whaler. They should really have seperate names.

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Thank you, very clear explanation. I also looked up smirked hull.

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16' models 1975 and below had the "Smirkless" bow.

17' models from 1976 to 2002 had the "Smirk" bow.
https://www.whalercentral.com/article...cle_id=100

As Phil mentions, those models would most likely fit your towing capabilities.
See the models here:
https://www.whalercentral.com/userpho...allery.php

Let us know what your decision is your purchase.

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Our search may take a while. We are in Michigan for another month, then we head to Arizona for the winter. The boat will be used in Michigan.
I do have more questions however. We thought we were buying a 1994 Dauntless 150, but the deal fell thru due to title issues. It looked like a Montauk, is there a difference, or more just a name?
Also, how common is waterlogged foam inside? Is there anything in particular to look for? I know that a used boat is always a gamble but I'd like to raise my odds if I can.
Thank You again.

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The fact that the boat in question is not referred to correctly would make me nervous.

The accurate name is 1994 Dauntless 15. Not a 150 (It matters since there is a 150 Sport, 150 Montauk that are quite different)

The Dauntless 15 is on the left. A Montauk 150 is on the right.

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You are correct, it was definitely the boat on the left.

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1979 17' Montauk, 90 HP 4 stroke Yamaha, steel continental trailer with spare tire, anchor, 20 gal gas tank full, lines, flares, horn, radio other equipment etc.

I used the scales at a truck stop- 2260 pounds.

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Thanks for the weight.

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Another real-world example: My 1970 16-foot Whaler with a fiberglass console, 90 HP Evinrude ETEC, typically loaded (single battery, 15 gallons of gas, anchor and safety gear), on a galvanized trailer, weighs 2,000 pounds.

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Thank you for the info.