Boston Whaler 180 Dauntless 2021 boat specs
Boston Whaler
Boston Whaler 180 Dauntless 2021
2021
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VS
Boston Whaler 180 Ventura 2009 boat specs
Boston Whaler
Boston Whaler 180 Ventura 2009
2009
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Boston Whaler 180 Dauntless 2021 vs Boston Whaler 180 Ventura 2009: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Boston Whaler 180 Dauntless 2021 vs Boston Whaler 180 Ventura 2009 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story: intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 150 hp for the Boston Whaler 180 Dauntless 2021 and 135 hp for the Boston Whaler 180 Ventura 2009. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Boston Whaler 180 Ventura 2009 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Boston Whaler 180 Dauntless 2021 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Boston Whaler 180 Ventura 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Boston Whaler 180 Ventura 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 8 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Boston Whaler 180 Dauntless 2021 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail18.10 ft
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in. (5.63 m)
Length - Feet18.1
Length - Feet18
Length overall - Meters5.52
Length overall - Meters5.64
Length overall - Inches217
Length overall - Inches222
Beam8.10 ft
Beam8 ft. 0 in. (2.43 m)
Beam - Meters2.47
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches97
Beam - Inches96
Draft [max] - Detail12.00 ft
Draft [max] - Detail12 in. (0.30 m) boat only
Draft [max] - Meters3.66
Draft [max] - Meters0.3
Draft [max] - Inches144
Draft [max] - Inches12
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 9 in. (1.44 m) 7 ft. 3 in. (2.20 m) with sun top
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.21
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches87
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail2,300 lbs. (1,043 kg) no engine
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg1043.26
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.2300
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.63
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches6
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Horsepower150 hp
Horsepower135 hp
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeoutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standard135 XL DTS Mercury? Verado? FourStroke with hydraulic tilt steering
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal60
Operational Info
TrailerableYes
Trailerablenot available
Boat typePower
Boat typenot available
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacitySwamped Capacity: 3,800 lbs. (1,723 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people8
General Boat Info
Makenot available
MakeBoston Whaler
Modelnot available
Model180 Ventura?
Model Yearnot available
Model Year2009
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee

Boston Whaler 180 Dauntless 2021 vs Boston Whaler 180 Ventura 2009 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Boston Whaler 180 Dauntless 2021 or the Boston Whaler 180 Ventura 2009?
The Boston Whaler 180 Dauntless 2021 is the longer of the two at 18,1 feet overall. The Boston Whaler 180 Ventura 2009 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 0,1 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Boston Whaler 180 Dauntless 2021 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Boston Whaler 180 Ventura 2009 tops out at 135 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that - matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Boston Whaler 180 Dauntless 2021 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Boston Whaler 180 Ventura 2009 is certified for 8. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing - on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Boston Whaler 180 Dauntless 2021 measures 97" wide, compared to 96" for the Boston Whaler 180 Ventura 2009. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states - anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Are the Boston Whaler 180 Dauntless 2021 and Boston Whaler 180 Ventura 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes - both the Boston Whaler 180 Dauntless 2021 and the Boston Whaler 180 Ventura 2009 are built by Boston Whaler. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.