Thinking hard about Whaler Dauntless 180

[k2chad]

Found a nice clean 2002. Has the 135 Optimax. Probably too much money (18.5k), but I need some rational advice. Will be fished/cruised close to shore. Not looking to go very far out.
Pros: Always wanted a Whaler..., stable, holds value relatively well, great seating for cruising with others. Wife likes it.
Cons: 2 stroke with a 4 stroke price tag, not going to get me into tuna or even cod territory, maybe a little cramped.
I hate decisions like this because the boat isn't going to last forever, in fact it will probably go pretty soon.

[cazador]

I have had 2 Whalers, no regrets. If the Optimax is still alive, it is probably O.K. Buy it if you don't want to go far offshore. If you do, keep looking.

[River-Daze]

The 18 Dauntless will great running a couple of miles off the coast. Resale on BW Dauntless is very strong in the Northeast as you know.
There are alot of used boats for sale if you think you're heading for deeper waters. What is your budget?

[renagade69]

The Dauntless is nice. I was going to get one a long time ago until I test drove the 18 and it beat us up.look for the next size bigger.I think its the 21.

[k2chad]

Originally Posted by River-Daze

The 18 Dauntless will great running a couple of miles off the coast. Resale on BW Dauntless is very strong in the Northeast as you know.
There are alot of used boats for sale if you think you're heading for deeper waters. What is your budget?

Budget was $15,000, that was with me getting $6000 from my current boat (highest offer so far, if anyone wants a 2001 Hydra Sports 170 cc!). I figured, what the heck, go up to $18,000 on a nice boat. Wife doesn't have to know about the extra $500 for $18,500... I'm cooling off for a few days. $15,000 is really where I should be, and I should wait for $6500 to sell my current boat as it's very clean and nice.

I get a little nervous because I already paid in full for a summer slip, so I need SOMETHING in the water and don't want to have to scramble and get crap if my boat sells.

[192Tourney]

My Whaler has the same hull and engine as the Dauntless you’re looking at. (Different deck layout.) I’d offer to take you for a ride, but she’s still sleeping under the shrinkwrap. I’m down in Beverly and routinely make the run up to Gloucester, so I’m familiar with the area. I won’t suggest that you take any 18’ boat out to Stellwagen, but that Dauntless will do just fine in the waters around Cape Ann. That 2002 has the older Whaler Accutrack hull design. Less of a deep-v than the newer models, which will offer you more stability at rest but won’t cut through chop as well. I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have about the boat or its capabilities. For what it’s worth, I love my Whaler. It’s the perfect boat for me and my family.

[Butch Davis]

I have a 16 Dauntless which I like. The 18 is just that much better. The Opti should be just fine.

If $18.5K is asking you should be able to buy it for $15K or possibly a little less. Does it have a trailer? Do you need one? IMO if you can buy it for around $15K that's not a bad price IF YOU LIKE THE BOAT.

[FASTFJR]

I love my 2007 Dauntless 180.

[bms1939]

An 18' Dauntless is a little small, I was looking at a 22 and was a little concerned about the low sides out in the ocean. I've fished out of Gloucester quite a few times and have found some pretty rough waters just outside the breakwall, not sure an 18 would be too safe. I've seen lesser boats out there in that area but I would be looking for a deeper boat, that's for you to decide though. The price does seem a little high but 15K is probably a little low. I just bought a 190 Nantucket (same hull as the current 190 Outrage) to replace my Montauk, I liked the higher sides on it and felt it would be safer for the kids. The good thing about a Whaler is they do sell easily in our area. I bought a 21 Outrage and found it to be too large for the lake near my house. I ended up buying the 190 and put the 21 back on the market, it only took about 2-3 weeks to get it sold. My point is if you not happy with it you can easily resell it without losing much money if you get it somewhere in the middle of your price and the asking price.

[mrw90]

I have the same boat and engine that you are looking at. Personally, I think it's a really good all around boat for the family. We use ours for fishing inshore in the Pacific Northwest and for skiing and tubing on the lake in front of our house. I've fished it a bit in ocean on the West Coast of Vancouver island as well. While I wouldn't run twenty miles out, I feel safe in the boat a couple miles out.

Fuel economy is very good. The optimax will be as good or better than four strokes in that regard.

The boat is about 8' wide, so it is very stable.

The rear fold down seat is both good and bad. It creates enough confortable seating for my three kids and contains a fair amount of storage. Unfortunately it also takes up a lot of space. It seems like a third of the boat is taken up by this seat and the step down behind it to the motor well. This can make the boat a bit cramped feeling while fishing.

Good luck with your decision. Whalers do hold their value pretty well, so your risk is probably pretty low if you choose to go forward.

[FASTFJR]

Originally Posted by mrw90

The rear fold down seat is both good and bad. It creates enough confortable seating for my three kids and contains a fair amount of storage. Unfortunately it also takes up a lot of space. It seems like a third of the boat is taken up by this seat and the step down behind it to the motor well. This can make the boat a bit cramped feeling while fishing.
.

Personally I find the rear folding seat to be an excellent fishing deck

[k2chad]

Well, bit the bullet. 2001 Dauntless 18, 125 Merc Saltwater Series. Should be a solid, simple motor. Boat is in great shape and I got a good deal. Now I just need to find some covers (console and seat) for it. I'll post pics once I bring it home.

[Lprizman]

congrats!!!

[River-Daze]