Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless 2012 vs Boston Whaler 270 Vantage 2015 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless 2012 vs Boston Whaler 270 Vantage 2015 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 2012 has a 25-hp advantage over the Boston Whaler 270 Vantage 2015's 225-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 270 Vantage 2015 carries 175 gallons versus 79 gallons in the Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless 2012. 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 230 Dauntless 2012 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Boston Whaler 270 Vantage 2015 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 23,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Boston Whaler 270 Vantage 2015 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeBoston Whaler
Makenot available
Model230 Dauntless?
Modelnot available
Model Year2012
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam9.00 ft
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches108
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 2 in. (1.87 m) 7 ft. 10 in. (2.38 m) with T-top
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.39
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches94
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise16°
Deadrisenot available
Draft [max] - Detail12 in. (0.3 m) boat only
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) no engine
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 - Feet23.5
Length - Feet28.3
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 6 in. (7.16 m)
Length overall - Detail28.30 ft
Length overall - Meters7.16
Length overall - Meters8.63
Length overall - Inches282
Length overall - Inches340
Draft Minnot available
Draft Min1.80 ft
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMercury? Verado? 225 XL DTS FourStroke with hydraulic power steering
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail79 gal. (299 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters299.05
Fuel tank capacity - Liters662.45
Fuel tank capacity - Gal79
Fuel tank capacity - Gal175
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeoutboard
Horsepower250 hp (187 kW) maximum
Horsepower225 hp
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Engine 2 Engine Makenot available
Engine 2 Engine MakeMercury
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
Engine 2 Horsepower225 hp
Engine 2 Fuel Typenot available
Engine 2 Fuel TypeGas
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeoutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity3,000 lbs. (1,361 kg) Swamped Capacity: 5,300 lbs. (2,404 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people9
Maximum peoplenot available
Cabinsnot available
Cabins1
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity2
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower