At first glance, the new 250 Dauntless from Boston Whaler seemed too pretty to fish, too comfortable, too dandy to get bloody. With all the fine day-boating features, its fishing armaments are nearly concealed, like a professional gambler’s pearl-handled derringer. Never assume this Boston Whaler 250 Dauntless is unarmed.
Whaler had powered my test boat with a Mercury 250 hp V-8 outboard that pushed it to a top speed of 51.9 mph. If it wasn’t propped for speed, it was definitely propped for the hole shot, coming on plane in 2.6 seconds. Anglers with a big crew or fishing skinny water will appreciate that quick acceleration. But Whaler built this boat for more than just bay fishing. With its 25 feet of running surface and that renowned unsinkable status, the 250 Dauntless undoubtedly will find its way offshore.
Serious anglers will appreciate the ample 35-gallon livewell with its blue painted interior, lighted for night fishing. It is hidden beneath a hatch flush in the center of the aft casting deck and flanked by stowaway seats also tucked beneath flush-mounted hatches. For even more casting room, Whaler placed the boarding ladder in the extended aft casting deck and, you guessed it, tucked beneath a flush hatch on the starboard side. The port side hatch provides access to the battery, battery switch, fuse block, pumps and other rigging elements in bilge.
Whaler also thoughtfully engineered the rod holder placements. One pair flanks the leaning post and two additional pairs are set in the aft deck, one pair per side. They could be used for shotgun rods or flat lines. Even the leaning post features six rod holders in the sleek pod and beneath them, I found space for utility boxes, tools and gear.
The gracious nature of the Dauntless’ cruising features conceals all those fishing armaments. The double lounge molded into the forward console is a luxury first in a fishing boat of this size. Underneath the lounge, I found more rod stowage. Passage between that and the casting deck is generous.
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Remove all the cushions, and your step up to the deck is comfortable, with secure footing, thanks to its non-skid surface. Backrests fold up from under the bow deck cushions, making for a pair of forward-facing lounges. Grab rails recessed into the gunwales provide safety for the seated (there are grab rails for the aft jump seats, too). Storage and an insulated cooler beneath keep the crew organized and refreshed.
And the captain gets a dual, thickly bolstered and upholstered leaning post seat that offers ergonomic comfort seated or standing behind the generously sized helm station and beneath the optional hard top. Combine all this with Whaler’s reputation for unsinkability, and you have a boat that each family member can truly enjoy.
Hull Specs
LOA: 24 ft. 9 in. (on centerline)
Beam: 8 ft. 6 in.
Transom Deadrise: 18 deg. Draft: 1 ft. 3 in. Dry Weight: 4,740 lb. w/engine
Fuel: 90 gal.
Max HP: 400 hp
Price: $128,153 (w/ engine, hardtop and side color)
Performance
Engine: Mercury 250 hp V-8
Load: Two adults, 80 gallons of fuel
Time to 30 mph: 6.2 sec.
Top Speed: 51.9 mph @ 5,900 rpm
Best MPG: 3.2 mpg @ 22.4 mph (3,500 rpm)
Edgewater, Florida
