High Points
XTower station is great for spotting
fi sh from afar and navigating
tricky shallows.
XExpansive, stable aft and fore
decks are ideal for fi shing. The
forward deck can be converted to
a pair of loungers.
XTwo livewells allow you to carry
plenty of live bait.Specs
· LOA: 24'8" · BEAM: 8'6" · DRY
WEIGHT: 3,300 lb. (without engine)
· SEATING/WEIGHT CAPACITY:
9/3,000 lb. · FUEL CAPACITY: 90 gal.How We Tested
ENGINE: Mercury 350 Verado
DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Mercury Enertia
141 / 4 " x 18" 3-blade stainless steel
GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1
FUEL LOAD: 80 gal.
CREW WEIGHT: 800 lb.
Price
$113,433 (base with
Mercury 225 Verado)BOSTON WHALER
240 Dauntless Pro
top speed of 48 mph at 6,200 rpm. At each
helm station, the Verado power steering
made turning fi ngertip-easy.
An optional fl ush-mounted Raymarine
7-inch A xiom Pro off ered access to sonar
and chart plotting in the tower, while an
optional fl ush-mounted 9-inch A xiom Pro
and a pair of Merc SmartCraft multifunc-
tion gauges were installed at the lower
helm. The helm seat features two fl ip-
up bolsters and a foldout footrest. A Yeti
Tundra 65 cooler stows underneath.
Inside the console, accessible from a
companionway on the starboard-side, is
a step-down head compartment with a
port light and plenty of room for a portable
marine toilet.Boston Whaler’s Dauntless series has built
an enviable reputation based on versatil-
ity. Yet the new 240 Dauntless Pro puts a
greater emphasis on fi shing than any of its
other fi ve sister ships.
This is the only Dauntless model to
feature an elevated second station, and
it is standard. W haler engineered a new
center console that melds seamlessly with
the tower frame. Steps on the port side of-
fer an easy ascent, and a SeaDek pad atop
the console provides cushioned nonskid
footing. This 2018 model helps celebrate
the company’s 60th anniversary.
The 240 Dauntless Pro is essentially a
bay boat with an expansive forward cast-
ing platform that measures 86 inches
long by 65 inches wide. Our test boat was
equipped with the optional jack plate,
trolling motor and Power-Pole shallow-
water anchor.
The aft deck dispenses with the aft
ridge found on the regular 240, eff ectivelyexpanding the platform. Trays on both
sides provide places to stash loose tackle
items. Seat cushions and backrests can fi t
on the aft deck to create a pair of seats. A
38-gallon livewell also resides under the aft
deck. We found a second livewell under the
forward console seat. There’s a huge cen-
tral locker under the foredeck, and this is
fl anked by two equally cavernous lockers.
The 240 Dauntless Pro rides on a
24-foot-8-inch unsinkable hull, which
sliced smoothly through the 1- to 2-foot
rollers. Handling proved precise. With
four adult males, 38 gallons of water in
the stern livewell, and 80 gallons of fuel
on board, the Mercury 350 Verado out-
board pushed the 240 Dauntless Pro to aPHOTOS: COURTESY BOSTON WHALERBOSTON WHALER
Edgewater, Florida; 386-428-0057; bostonwhaler.comSPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATIONnaut. stat. n. mi. s. mi. sound
rpm knots mph gph mpg mpg range range angle level
1000 3.00 3.45 1.30 2.31 2.65 187 215 0 68
1500 4.87 5.60 1.90 2.56 2.95 207 239 2 71
2000 7.04 8.10 3.30 2.13 2.45 173 199 4 75
2500 8.99 10.35 5.30 1.70 1.95 137 158 5 76
3000 10.86 12.50 7.50 1.45 1.67 117 135 5 80
3500 17.03 19.60 10.00 1.70 1.96 138 159 4 84
4000 22.16 25.50 11.50 1.93 2.22 156 180 3 85
4500 27.20 31.30 14.80 1.84 2.11 149 171 2 88
5000 31.28 36.00 21.00 1.49 1.71 121 139 2 88
5500 35.63 41.00 19.90 1.43 1.64 115 133 2 92
6000 39.19 45.10 29.00 1.35 1.56 109 126 2 99
6200 41.71 48.00 31.00 1.35 1.55 109 125 2 100
MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEEDC
FISHING BOAT BUYERS GUIDE
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RESULTSBOAT BUYERS GUIDE 2018 | 144 | BOATINGMAG.COM