New Boat Purchase - Advice Please!
 

I am looking to buy a new boat. I've pretty much settled on a Boston
Whaler (but am still looking).

Of the boats I have looked at, I currently have a choice to make
between the BW 18' Dauntless and the BW 19' Outrage. These size boats
seem to be the right size for my family. The boat is mainly going to be
used as a leisure boat for family (i.e. swimming/skiing, snorkeling,
scuba, light fishing, and plain sightseeing). We live in Florida and
will be visiting many rivers, bays, coastals, and offshore (east and
west).

Any advice would be appreciated (i.e. Alternatives, Personal
Experience, Opinion, Buyer Beware, et al):

wrote:
I am looking to buy a new boat. I've pretty much settled on a Boston
Whaler (but am still looking).

Of the boats I have looked at, I currently have a choice to make
between the BW 18' Dauntless and the BW 19' Outrage. These size boats
seem to be the right size for my family. The boat is mainly going to be
used as a leisure boat for family (i.e. swimming/skiing, snorkeling,
scuba, light fishing, and plain sightseeing). We live in Florida and
will be visiting many rivers, bays, coastals, and offshore (east and
west).

Any advice would be appreciated (i.e. Alternatives, Personal
Experience, Opinion, Buyer Beware, et al):

There's a 50-pound difference between the dry weights of the two boats,
and there are a few more options on the 19' Outrage.

Simply by viewing some photos at the website, it appears that the
Dauntless has a much sharper entry with exaggerated flare while the
Outrage has a rounder bilge in the forward section. If this is so, and
not merely an impression fostered by dissimilar photo angles, this
difference will be provide different "rides"- particularly in head
seas.

Can you take both boats out for a 15-minute run on a reasonably windy
day?
If the difference the photos imply actually exists, you'll know soon
enough which of the two you would personally prefer.

Chuck,

Thanks for the response.

You are indeed correct about the rides being different, particularly
offshore. The Outrage handles much better in open water. I am pretty
much sold on the Outrage (that boat will allow my family to do anything
that Florida has to offer). Just sniffing out differing points of view
for a balanced decision.

Regards,

K

Harry Krause wrote in message
...
wrote:
Chuck,

Thanks for the response.

You are indeed correct about the rides being different, particularly
offshore. The Outrage handles much better in open water. I am pretty
much sold on the Outrage (that boat will allow my family to do anything
that Florida has to offer). Just sniffing out differing points of view
for a balanced decision.

Regards,

K


Except on price, it's hard to go wrong with a new Whaler. What engine
are you considering?

Just to stir the pot a little (this *is* a boating NG, isn't it?) the OP
might want to read
David Pascoe's "review" of the Outrage at:

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/boatrevie...outrage_26.htm

Note: This is not a personal flame against Whalers - hell, I own one. I
just found his comment interesting.

Eisboch

Do Not...I repeat...do not buy any boat until you've tested the
Edgewater 18 foot boat with a 150hp powered engine...
Mine is a Yamaha...any other of your choice will do....This boat is the
best boat, for its purpose, that I've ever had...that includes sail and
power 18' to 58' and 26 years of trying...well, actually it's the
second best...my current 36' Duffy cruiser is the best....but seriously
consider this...it's rock solid in all conditions, planes easily, is
dry and soft riding.

Now, if only Contender, etc. kade boats in the 18 foot range for family
boating. Why waste the money for a Contender for a family fun boat?

IMO, for a fun boat vs a serious fishing boat the Dauntless makes a better
family fun boat. The Outrage is designed as a fishing boat and is very
capable.

I happen to have a 16 Dauntless which I use pretty much exclusively for
fishing. It serves well for the inshore sort of fishing I do (reds &
specks) with three aboard. But, cost aside, I'd rather have an Outrage.

Butch
"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 20 Sep 2005 22:29:30 GMT, "Eisboch"
wrote:


Harry Krause wrote in message
...
wrote:
Chuck,

Thanks for the response.

You are indeed correct about the rides being different, particularly
offshore. The Outrage handles much better in open water. I am pretty
much sold on the Outrage (that boat will allow my family to do
anything
that Florida has to offer). Just sniffing out differing points of view
for a balanced decision.

Regards,

K


Except on price, it's hard to go wrong with a new Whaler. What engine
are you considering?

Just to stir the pot a little (this *is* a boating NG, isn't it?) the OP
might want to read
David Pascoe's "review" of the Outrage at:

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/boatrevie...outrage_26.htm

Note: This is not a personal flame against Whalers - hell, I own one. I
just found his comment interesting.

I like this comment:

"When I compare this to some of the competition, it just doesn't stack
up against the likes of Pursuit, Contender..."

Heh, heh, heh...

Thanks to everyone for their responses. Greatly apprecated.

I've pretty much decided on what boat I like. Now is the pricing part
of the process. If anyone can give me a quote for a 2006 Dauntless 18'
and 2006 Outrage 19' for your area, it would be very appreciated. I'm
willing to throw the dealer/sales a bone, but I don't want to get taken
advantage of either.

Regards,

K

wrote in message
ups.com...
Thanks to everyone for their responses. Greatly apprecated.

I've pretty much decided on what boat I like. Now is the pricing part
of the process. If anyone can give me a quote for a 2006 Dauntless 18'
and 2006 Outrage 19' for your area, it would be very appreciated. I'm
willing to throw the dealer/sales a bone, but I don't want to get taken
advantage of either.

Regards,

K


I do not think there are any dealers on this board. You may want to check
for dealers in your area and get a quote from them.

Jim,

I was not thinking of dealers. I've already got their quotes. I was
hoping someone may have priced these boats themselves, and in many
different areas around the country.

Regards,

In general Whalers are hard to find on the used boat market, especially
current model year boats.

My advice is to shop the two or three Whaler dealers closest to you.
Frankly there are no bargains available on new Whalers. Even used they tend
to be higher than most others.

Have you considered a used Whaler Montauck? Great all around boats except
in a nasty chop and you don't want to be out on the water when conditions
are bad anyway.

Good luck.

Butch
wrote in message
oups.com...
Jim,

I was not thinking of dealers. I've already got their quotes. I was
hoping someone may have priced these boats themselves, and in many
different areas around the country.

Regards,