Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless 2008 vs Boston Whaler 380 Ream 2023 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless 2008 vs Boston Whaler 380 Ream 2023 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 300 hp, the Boston Whaler 380 Ream 2023 has a 50-hp advantage over the Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless 2008's 250-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 380 Ream 2023 carries 445 gallons versus 9 gallons in the Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless 2008. 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 380 Ream 2023 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless 2008 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Boston Whaler 380 Ream 2023 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Boston Whaler 380 Ream 2023 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 38,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeBoston Whaler
Makenot available
Model230 Dauntless?
Modelnot available
Model Year2008
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam11.80 ft
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters3.6
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches142
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 2 in. (1.87 m) With T-top: 7 ft. 10 in. (2.38 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.39
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches94
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - DetailBoat Only: 12 in. (0.3 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.3
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches12
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail2,900 lbs. (1,315 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg1315.42
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.29
Weight - lbs.not available
Height [transom]25 in. (0.63 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters7.16
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet23
Length - Feet38
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 6 in. (7.16 m)
Length overall - Detail38.00 ft
Length overall - Meters7.16
Length overall - Meters11.58
Length overall - Inches282
Length overall - Inches456
Draft Minnot available
Draft Min2.50 ft
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard200 XL DTS Mercury? Verado? FourStrokes with power-assisted steering STD
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail90 gal. (340 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters340.69
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1684.51
Fuel tank capacity - Gal9
Fuel tank capacity - Gal445
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeoutboard
Engine maxMaximum: 250 hp (186 kW) Minimum: 225 hp (168 kW) Maximum Engine Weight: 700 lbs. (317 kg)
Engine maxnot available
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelnot available
Engine modelV8 AMS
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower300 hp
Engine 2 Engine Makenot available
Engine 2 Engine MakeMercury
Engine 2 Engine Modelnot available
Engine 2 Engine ModelV8 AMS
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
Engine 2 Horsepower300 hp
Engine 2 Fuel Typenot available
Engine 2 Fuel TypeGas
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeoutboard
Engine 3 Engine Makenot available
Engine 3 Engine MakeMercury
Engine 3 Engine Modelnot available
Engine 3 Engine ModelV8 AMS
Engine 3 Horsepowernot available
Engine 3 Horsepower300 hp
Engine 3 Fuel Typenot available
Engine 3 Fuel TypeGas
Engine 3 Drive Typenot available
Engine 3 Drive Typeoutboard
Engine 4 Engine Makenot available
Engine 4 Engine MakeMercury
Engine 4 Engine Modelnot available
Engine 4 Engine ModelV8 AMS
Engine 4 Horsepowernot available
Engine 4 Horsepower300 hp
Engine 4 Fuel Typenot available
Engine 4 Fuel TypeGas
Engine 4 Drive Typenot available
Engine 4 Drive Typeoutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,900 lbs. (1,315 kg) Swamped Capacity: 5,300 lbs. (2,404 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people9
Maximum peoplenot available
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity1
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity55
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal1
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters37.85
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower