Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Boston Whaler 180 Dauntless 2021 vs Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Boston Whaler 180 Dauntless 2021 vs Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 250 hp, the Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless 2009 has a 100-hp advantage over the Boston Whaler 180 Dauntless 2021's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless 2009 is rated for 9 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 230 Dauntless 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 23,0 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 - Detail23 ft. 6 in. (7.16 m)
Length - Feet18.1
Length - Feet23
Length overall - Meters5.52
Length overall - Meters7.16
Length overall - Inches217
Length overall - Inches282
Beam8.10 ft
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.60 m)
Beam - Meters2.47
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches97
Beam - Inches102
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 - Detail6 ft. 2 in. (1.87 m) 7 ft. 10 in. (2.38 m) with T-top 8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m) with hardtop
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.51
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches99
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail2,900 lbs. (1,315 kg) no engine
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg1315.42
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.29
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters7.16
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches6
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Horsepower150 hp
Horsepower225 hp
Drive typeoutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standard225 XL DTS Mercury? Verado? FourStroke with hydraulic power steering
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail90 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters340.69
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal9
Engine maxnot available
Engine max250 hp
Operational Info
TrailerableYes
Trailerablenot available
Boat typePower
Boat typenot available
Headnot available
HeadEnclosed, portable
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacitySwamped Capacity: 5,300 lbs. (2,404 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people9
General Boat Info
Makenot available
MakeBoston Whaler
Modelnot available
Model230 Dauntless?
Model Yearnot available
Model Year2009
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee