Re: Boston Whalers - Old vs. New
Ahoy, Jpetit. Some ups, some downs. I have a 1980 Montauk that I like better than my son't 2000 Montauk, but his has some attractive features.<br /><br />I like having the teak trim (I enjoy cleaning and oiling it twice a season) and the (slightly) smaller console. On the other hand, he has the welded rails and I had to remove, reanchor and remount my rails to get them to quit rattling. <br /><br />Ignoring powerplants for the moment, I paid $6K for mine and spent a couple of winter months fixing, rewiring, rerigging and refinishing. I then spent $7K to repower it with a Suzi DF70 EFI 4 stroke. I wouldn't take less than $16K for it.<br /><br />Son spent $25K and had it all ready to go with a Merc 90 2 stroke (I rigged his sonar, GPS, front troller and VHF after he bought it).<br /><br />Bottom line? Warranty is irrelevant on a Montauk. The old ones are so good they only need routine maintenance. Son's is a year old and his only warranty issues have been with powerplant and rigging.<br /><br />The Dauntless 16 is a different boat. It is heavier and more expensive. It doesn't trailer or handle as well and it is an inshore boat. It has more room, more comfort, more features and the legendary unsinkability but is less of what built the legend in the first place. We tried one for a few days before son decided on the Montauk.<br /><br />I'm glad I bought and restored the old Montauk instead of buying a new one, and it isn't just the money that makes me feel that way.<br /><br />Good luck.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . . <br />JB
