Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Boston Whaler 180 Dauntless 2021 vs Boston Whaler 280 Outrage 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Boston Whaler 180 Dauntless 2021 vs Boston Whaler 280 Outrage 2011 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 600 hp, the Boston Whaler 280 Outrage 2011 has a 450-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 280 Outrage 2011 is rated for 14 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 280 Outrage 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Boston Whaler 280 Outrage 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 27,6 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 - Detail27 ft. 7 in. (8.34 m)
Length - Feet18.1
Length - Feet27.58
Length overall - Meters5.52
Length overall - Meters8.41
Length overall - Inches217
Length overall - Inches331
Beam8.10 ft
Beam9 ft. 4 in. (2.84 m)
Beam - Meters2.47
Beam - Meters2.84
Beam - Inches97
Beam - Inches112
Draft [max] - Detail12.00 ft
Draft [max] - Detail20 in. (0.5 m) boat only
Draft [max] - Meters3.66
Draft [max] - Meters0.51
Draft [max] - Inches144
Draft [max] - Inches2
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail8 ft. 9 in. (2.67 m) with hardtop 10 ft. 1 in. (3.07 m) with radar
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters3.07
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches121
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise23°
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail6,100 lbs. (2,767 kg) no engine
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg2766.91
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.61
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]30 in. (0.76 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Horsepower150 hp
Horsepower450 hp (336 kW)
Drive typeoutboard
Drive typeOutboard - Twin
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardDual Mercury? 225 CXXL DTS Verado? FourStroke with SmartCraft deluxe gauge package and hydraulic power steering
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail200 gal. (757 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters757.08
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Engine maxnot available
Engine max600 hp (448 kW)
Operational Info
TrailerableYes
Trailerablenot available
Boat typePower
Boat typenot available
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity28 gal. (106 l)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity4,169 lbs. (1,891 kg) Swamped Capacity: 3,500 lbs. (1,588 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people14
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail10 gal. (37.8 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters37.85
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal1
General Boat Info
Makenot available
MakeBoston Whaler
Modelnot available
Model280 Outrage?
Model Yearnot available
Model Year2011
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee