Debuting in the 60th anniversary year of Boston Whaler, the 240 Dauntless Pro puts a greater emphasis on fishing than any of its five Dauntless sister ships.
How so? For starters, this is the only Dauntless model with a tower, and it’s standard. Featuring an elevated second station, the tower melds seamlessly with the new center console. Steps on the port side offer an easy ascent, and a SeaDek pad atop the console provides cushioned nonskid footing.
An expansive forward casting platform measures 86 inches long by 65 inches wide. A huge central locker under the foredeck is flanked by two equally cavernous lockers.
An optional jack plate, trolling motor and Power-Pole shallow-water anchor enhance the fishing mission. There’s a 38-gallon livewell under the spacious aft deck. A second livewell resides under the forward console seat.
Seat cushions and backrests can be fit on the aft deck to create a pair of seats. The 240 Dauntless Pro rides on a 24-foot-8-inch unsinkable hull, which sliced smoothly through 1- to 2-foot rollers. Driving from the tower station puts a smile on your face. The cutout and leaning pad in the hardtop are contoured. A bench-style seat lets you sit down and use a cross brace as a footrest. But be careful not to rest your feet atop the console windshield.
Handling proved precise. The single Mercury 350 Verado outboard pushed the 240 Dauntless Pro to a top speed of 48 mph at 6,200 rpm. The Verado power steering made turning fingertip-easy. An optional flush-mounted Raymarine 7-inch Axiom Pro offered access to sonar and chart plotting in the tower, while an optional flush-mounted 9-inch Axiom Pro and a pair of Merc SmartCraft multifunction gauges were installed at the lower helm. A helm bench-style seat with a backrest features two flip-up bolsters and a foldout footrest on the powder-coated aluminum frame. A Yeti Tundra 65 cooler stows underneath.
Inside the console, accessible from a companionway on the starboard-side, is a step-down compartment with a port light and plenty of room for a portable marine toilet.
High Points
* Piloting from the tower station is a blast. It’s also great for spotting fish from afar.
* Expansive aft and fore decks are ideal for fishing.
* The 16 vertical rod holders let you take plenty of sticks.
Low Points
* Be careful not to rest your feet atop the console windshield when riding aloft.
* No gunwale rod holders means you’ll need to add these if you want to troll.
* Replacing standard cleats with pull-ups would eliminate snags when cast-netting.
Toughest Competitor
Everglades‘ unsinkable 243cc ($116,788 base with a Yamaha F300) is also available with a tower, but it’s an option. It has a larger central cockpit but smaller casting decks fore and aft.
Price: $113,433 (base with a Mercury 225 Verado)
Available Power: Outboard
How We Tested
Engine: Single 350 hp Mercury 350 Verado
Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Enertia 14″ x 18″ 3-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.75:1
Fuel Load: 80 gal.
Crew Weight: 800 lb.
More Information
Boston Whaler – Edgewater, Florida; 386-428-0057; bostonwhaler.com
