Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless 2022 boat specs
Boston Whaler
Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless 2022
2022
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VS
Boston Whaler 280 Outrage 2021 boat specs
Boston Whaler
Boston Whaler 280 Outrage 2021
2021
View full specs →

Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless 2022 vs Boston Whaler 280 Outrage 2021 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless 2022 vs Boston Whaler 280 Outrage 2021 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 280 Outrage 2021 has a 50-hp advantage over the Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless 2022's 200-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Boston Whaler 280 Outrage 2021 carries 186 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless 2022. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Boston Whaler 280 Outrage 2021 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless 2022 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Boston Whaler 280 Outrage 2021 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Boston Whaler 280 Outrage 2021 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 27,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless 2022 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail23.40 ft
Length overall - Detail27.12 ft
Length - Feet23.4
Length - Feet27.12
Length overall - Meters7.13
Length overall - Meters8.27
Length overall - Inches281
Length overall - Inches325
Beam8.60 ft
Beam9.40 ft
Beam - Meters2.62
Beam - Meters2.87
Beam - Inches103
Beam - Inches113
Draft [max] - Detail1.30 ft
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.4
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches16
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft Min1.25 ft
Draft Min1.10 ft
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal8
Fuel tank capacity - Gal186
Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83
Fuel tank capacity - Liters704.09
Engine makeMercury
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelV6 CMS
Engine modelV8 DTS Verado
Horsepower200 hp
Horsepower250 hp
Drive typeoutboard
Drive typeoutboard
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Engine 2 Engine Makenot available
Engine 2 Engine MakeMercury
Engine 2 Engine Modelnot available
Engine 2 Engine ModelV8 DTS Verado
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
Engine 2 Horsepower250 hp
Engine 2 Fuel Typenot available
Engine 2 Fuel TypeGas
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeoutboard
Operational Info
TrailerableYes
TrailerableYes
Boat typePower
Boat typePower
Headnot available
Head1
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity26
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters24.61

Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless 2022 vs Boston Whaler 280 Outrage 2021 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless 2022 or the Boston Whaler 280 Outrage 2021?
The Boston Whaler 280 Outrage 2021 is the longer of the two at 27,1 feet overall. The Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless 2022 comes in at 23,4 feet, making it roughly 3,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Boston Whaler 280 Outrage 2021 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless 2022 tops out at 200 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 220 Dauntless 2022 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Boston Whaler 280 Outrage 2021 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 280 Outrage 2021 measures 113" wide, compared to 103" for the Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless 2022. 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.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless 2022 or the Boston Whaler 280 Outrage 2021?
The Boston Whaler 280 Outrage 2021 has the bigger tank at 186 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless 2022. That 178-gallon difference translates to roughly 534–890 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless 2022 and Boston Whaler 280 Outrage 2021 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless 2022 and the Boston Whaler 280 Outrage 2021 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.