Would You Fish Out This? Could You?

[J Francho]

Looking at something different for fishing.  I'm never giving up bass fishing, but I spend many hours on the Great Lakes, Oneida, Cayuga, and other "bigger" waters.  I'd like a more capable boat than just a bass boat.  Before you point me to a Pro-V Bass, it's also on my radar.  My list of boats is actually very short.  This boat, until recently was but a blip on the radar, but is suddenly right up there.  I'd like to add in the ability to troll for trout and salmon, and go on a few long distance runs, like from my home bay on Ontario, to friends' cottages on other bays, via the "big lake."  I have my own list of pros and cons, but I'd like to hear what the rest of the BR members think, especially those the fish on big water.  Keep in mind, I'm also entertaining a growing family.  Yes, you heard it here first, boy number four will be here in July.  

 

Without further ado, here is the boat up for consideration.  Boston Whaler Dauntless 240 Sport.  Yes, I'm aware of the price tag.  I'm not wealthy by any means, but I could afford this boat.  I would be getting shallow water anchors, a properly sized TM, electronics up front, and maxing out HP.  I have a dealer that has outfitted a few of these for specific fishing needs.  To me, this is the ultimate "fish 'n ski" lol.

 

What do you think?

 

https://www.bostonwhaler.com/family-overview/dauntless-boat-models/240-dauntless-pro/

[DanielG]

I don't know much about them but a neighbor had one for years. Not quite as big. It was very nice and he liked it for it's stability. Smaller lake here but he'd regularly take it up to Sebago and Moosehead in Maine. Very large lakes. Water to the horizon. Swells can get pretty scary. The whaler, as I understand it, is known for being able to ride that out. They are also popular here on the ocean too.

[MN Fisher]

Only thing I'd consider is the narrow space between the cockpit and gunwale - have to squeeze through there to get to the front.

 

I like the removable cushions up front...makes it easy to turn from pleasure cruiser to casting deck.

[J Francho]

 

Just now, MN Fisher said:

narrow space between the cockpit and gunwale

24" is narrow?  I'm not a big guy, but there's WAYYYYYY more room to move around than even my 22' bass boat.  I spent over an hour climbing around this boat, and never felt cramped.  Well, except in the bathroom - that was a little tight.

4 minutes ago, DanielG said:

The whaler, as I understand it, is known for being able to ride that out.

This is their inshore model.  Not truly intended for crazy big water, but capable enough for ocean runs in favorable conditions.  Think of it as a gigantic bass boat.  Can run rough, but drafts only 14" of water.

[gim]

15 minutes ago, J Francho said:

What do you think?

I think YES ?

[J Francho]

Just now, gimruis said:

I think YES ?

I may have soiled myself a little when she started talking actual numbers with the salesman.  Good thing it has a working toilet.

[redmexican5081]

I grew up fishing out of a Whaler.  Many great memories with my dad and grandfather.  Great boats, never got soaked in the rough water and always had the reminder that even if it got destroyed, it would still be floating.  My dad and uncle decided to sell the Whaler after my grandfather passed because they each had boats of their own but to this day they still check boat trader and the likes to see what is out there.

[detroit1]

YES.

[TnRiver46]

38 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Only thing I'd consider is the narrow space between the cockpit and gunwale - have to squeeze through there to get to the front.

 

I like the removable cushions up front...makes it easy to turn from pleasure cruiser to casting deck.

 

33 minutes ago, J Francho said:

 

24" is narrow?  I'm not a big guy, but there's WAYYYYYY more room to move around than even my 22' bass boat.  I spent over an hour climbing around this boat, and never felt cramped.  Well, except in the bathroom - that was a little tight.

This is their inshore model.  Not truly intended for crazy big water, but capable enough for ocean runs in favorable conditions.  Think of it as a gigantic bass boat.  Can run rough, but drafts only 14" of water.

I hate walking around my center console. But heck yes I would fish out of that whaler

[MN Fisher]

58 minutes ago, J Francho said:

24" is narrow?  I'm not a big guy, but there's WAYYYYYY more room to move around than even my 22' bass boat.  I spent over an hour climbing around this boat, and never felt cramped.  Well, except in the bathroom - that was a little tight.

Looked narrower than that - I withdraw my observation

[Catt]

I'm about a 30 min boat run from the Gulf of Mexico & have spent as much time fishing salt/brackish as fresh.

 

Spent many an hour on a Whaler just in 30-35' models. Handles rough water well & long runs out to the the 35 mile rigs in the Gulf. 

 

Yellowfin & Blackjack are popular down here along with Skeeter, Ranger, Xpress, & laterly Vexus. 

[Michigander]

A whaler is the logical next step after bass boat for the reasons you listed. I know people with boat regret stories but a whaler isn't included amongst them. 

[J Francho]

I’ve been in a few Whalers, but they were smaller, older models. One I remember pretty well was only 13’ long and had wooden bench seats. That was on Nantucket. We’d take it out for blues. Dang toothy things were fun. That boat handled water that would have sunk my tiller back home. They had a modern version of that boat at the show, which is what initially drew me to the display. 

[slonezp]

Can't go wrong with Whaler, Robalo, or my preferred choice Grady White. Take a look at the GW 251 CE

Now that MK has a 72" shaft option for a TM, no reason not to. My Lund is still for sale. I'm mulling around getting a 20' Ranger MS or Triton Allure boat because the Grady isn't practical for the bulk of the fishing I do now. That being said, I'm open for a change of venue and fishing Lake Michigan more often. I do have a grandson now which is the main reason I'm looking for another boat. 

[J Francho]

That GW is pretty similar to the Dauntless in almost every respect. It’s not as sleek a fishing platform at the stern, but that’s not my problem. If there was a dealer nearby, I might consider it. I looked at 19’ Robalo bay boats a decade ago. Fit and finish was suspect, and I could see warping in the hull on brand new boats. Maybe it’s better nowadays. They do have a dealer close to where I launch frequently. 

[slonezp]

A standard bay boat is similar to a Lund in hull design as far as deadrise and freeboard. While it can handle big water, it's not going to handle it comfortably. I've done 25mph winds in Sturgeon Bay in the Lund and it is absolutely miserable. 25mph on my home water is a piece of cake. 

The GW has been on my radar for some time. Robalo is a little more family orientated which is why I brought it up. 

[Catt]

Champions are popular here but they don't make em anymore. I really liked the Fishunter model.

[J Francho]

I just looked at the Robalo site. They look nice, just not as refined as the BW.  I’d have to see one in person to get a better feel for them. From what I saw from other makes, the fit and finish, quality of upholstery and hardware on the BW was better than most. I even looked at a very pricey Scarab that didn’t come close. It also didn’t run as shallow. Had pretty gel coat though. 
 

@Catt Champion was a popular brand up here, in all styles. Still see lots of them. When I was a kid, I looked at them as better than Ranger. 

[haggard]

If you can afford it, and if you know 24 ft is big enough for family and bigger water yet short enough for smaller water, you won't be disappointed with the quality of a Whaler. I think the bigger water and family friendly boat is a very safe bet, but would just look more closely at how it does compared to a smaller (16-17') bass boat - that's where the smaller boats might have an advantage in terms of agility.

 

After my 14' Tracker got crashed I wanted a boat small enough to run on the home lake(s) for bass, but big enough for salt water bays, rivers and inshore (I live close to), and ended up with a (15') 150 Montauk. Everything in life is a tradeoff and this boat is no exception but it does well in both regards, and quality is beyond great. There are cheaper options but you also get what you pay for. If I remember correctly you have a Hobie. Whaler is to powered boats as Hobie is to yaks. Only caveat I'd say is make sure it isn't so big that it doesn't feel like a cruise ship while fishing for bass close to shore.

 

P.S. I still haven't found a trolling motor solution for the Montauk. I have a high bow rail up front, which I love for safety especially on the salt water, but still haven't figured out a way to mount a trolling motor.

 

[kjfishman]

A 24 foot Boston Whaler is as good as it gets. 

[J Francho]

8 hours ago, haggard said:

If I remember correctly you have a Hobie. Whaler is to powered boats as Hobie is to yaks.

Yes, I have a a Hobie, two Wildies, and a Jackson.  My Hobie is around my tenth kayak.  For boats, I previously owned a 15' and 17' Sea Nymph tiller deep-v, 20' Four Winns runabout, 18' Xpress, and most recently a 22' Bullet.  If I need agility, I'll just use the kayak. The back deck is probably big enough to strap the Compass on and mother ship. 

 

Thanks for everyone's feedback - keep it coming!

8 hours ago, haggard said:

P.S. I still haven't found a trolling motor solution for the Montauk. I have a high bow rail up front, which I love for safety especially on the salt water, but still haven't figured out a way to mount a trolling motor.

 

The Dauntless can be easily rigged with a TM.  With your boat, which sounds similar to the 13' Whaler from my youth, I'd just figure out a transom mount TM for it, or one of the long shaft electric steer models.

[WRB]

Mako is a popular center console boat out west.

Tom

[Vilas15]

Do you need more than 21' length? Must be a reason you seem to have ruled out a big fiberglass multispecies boat from ranger/lund/skeeter.

 

Check out warrior boats. Popular with walleye guys trolling big water. Theyve got a dealer in new york.

[J Francho]

9 hours ago, WRB said:

Mako is a popular center console boat out west.

Tom

I'll try to be nice, since the Makos were just around the corner from the Whalers, so the difference was noticeable.  Quality is not there.  The fiberglass is unfinished on the inside, hardware is not as heavy duty, and overall the boats lack refinement.  I like the boats for fishing, but I need something more substantial.  A Mako is like a Kia.  I'm looking at Mercedes at this point.

 

8 hours ago, Vilas15 said:

Do you need more than 21' length?  Must be a reason you seem to have ruled out a big fiberglass multispecies boat from ranger/lund/skeeter.

Do I?  No.  Do we?  Yes.  Multi species boats typically do not have the center console layout or seating I'm looking for.  I mentioned Lund being on my list already.  Ranger is not on my list.  I have researched the Skeeter SX240 Bay Boat, but there aren't any dealers close by, and it lacks some of the safety features and luxuries offered in the BW.  Warriors all look like they are 30"+ transom height, which I infer means they will not draft that shallow, and might not work for what I want.

 

Some of you guys are missing the point.  While I'm not opposed to looking at different brands, I'm gonna need a compelling argument to for them.  I'm mostly talking about THIS boat.  What could you or couldn't you do with it?  Am I missing something?  I don't think I am.  Think of it as a Pros/Cons list.  

 

[WRB]

Mako is popular didn't say it was better quality then Whaler. I see Mako's 23's fishing 60 miles off shore so they definately seaworthy. Good luck with your choice, Whaler should hold it's resale value.

Tom