Boston Whaler 17' Montauk

Pros: Unsinkable, Teleflex steering system, 9" draft and handles rough water better than most
Cons: Limited storage and fuel capacity. No stern cleats but can be added.

After searching through the boat stores and classifieds I finally decided on a new Montauk 170 with a Mercury 90HP Saltwater Series for my marsh and jetties fishing on the South Carolina coast. Where do I start with the praises of this outstanding 17 foo ...

Pros: Readily trailered, fast, stable, durable, fishable
Cons: Heavy for size, very rough wet ride

While I view marketing gimmicks with a healthy heap of skepticism, Boston Whaler's favorite marketing point provided real piece of mind in our family's most dramatic boating drama. Deep in Baja, on a Peninsula called Punta Chivato, my wife had just...

Pros: Unsinkable
Cons: A bit heavy, needs more storage

No I don't own one, but many of my friends have them.In boat repair I have seen many different boats, and I find the Boston Whaler a top quality product.
Lets start with construction:
Foam filled double hull construction, its unsinkable. All...

Pros: Safe,,very stable,great ski boat. Good choice with the cost of gas.
Cons: Can't get out of the weather if it's nasty. .

My family has four Whalers, a 1972 13 Sport that my father bought for us new when we were young kids, an 1987 15 my younger brother picked up a few years ago, an 1988 Montauk that I picked up to replace one we owned years ago and sold to upgrade to a 20' ...

Pros: Plenty of room for six. Quality fit and finish. Unsinkable. Easy to trailer.
Cons: Not much....fuel capacity. Storage is limited to center console but it is dry.

Hurricane Ivan totaled my 17ft Mako and so I started looking for a replacement. Years ago, I owned a 17 Montauk which I greatly enjoyed. Unsinkable boat with yacht quality finish. I owned it 10 years with hardly a problem to complain about. I decided ...

Pros: Heavy duty construction, unsinkable
Cons: Hard ride, few creature comforts

I'm gearing up for my 3rd season as owner of a 1974 Montauk 17. I purchased the boat from its original owner who decided to retire from boating at the age of 83. In December of 2000 I upgraded the original Johnson 50 with an oil injected 70 hp Johnson....

Pros: Safety, handling, durability, trailering, low draft, retains value.
Cons: Not many when for its category. Rough riding trading stability and safety for handling.

I'm new to the Whalers. I bought a 1968 17' Mantauk with an 85 Yamaha. The reverse didn't work so I just traded the engine up for a 1997 Yamaha 85 HP totally rebuilt. Great boat. I use it for Sarasota FL waters at 2' to 3' seas. Trailer to rivers ...

Pros: Classic. I get compliments on my 1973 Montauk everywhere I take it!
Cons: Big spray when hopping waves, but hey, to me that makes it more fun!

My dad bought our 1973 Montauk in 1990, when I was nine years old. We enjoyed many weekends of fishing and cruising, as well as experiencing a number of the standard boating problems: lost anchors, a lost propeller (when we put the 55 hp Tohatsu motor...

Pros: They will last forever and never go out of style.
Cons: Cost of replacement parts. Rough ride in a chop.

I bought a 17' Boston Whaler Montauk new in 1983. This was my third Whaler. My father bought me a 13' Sport in 1967 when i was 12 years old.

The Montauk is a great boat. Large enough for rather big water ( I use mine on Lake Michigan) yet small enough to tow with a mid-size SUV and to store in a typical garage.

My one and only gripe is the price Boston Whaler and their dealers charge for replacement parts. You can only buy parts through a Whaler Dealer. I added some instruments and wanted two new instrument panels. These are thin metal panels that fit on each side of the helm and measure about 7" x 10". Whaler wanted $216 for the pair!!!. How about nearly $1,000 for a new cooler and reversible helm seat cushion!!!.

If you are looking at a used Whaler and see a few things that you would like to replace check the cost out BEFORE you buy the boat. You'll be shocked on how much those parts will cost you if you want to keep the boat original.

Pros: easy to trailer and launch. stable and responsive. superior quality. family heirloom.
Cons: space is limiting. captains seat too far back.

for a woman the 17 montauk is perfect. It is very easy to trailer and launch without help. I feel very secure and safe while out by myself knowing it will not sink. I recommend this beautiful boat to any woman who wants to experience the joy of being out on the water.

Pros: TOUGH BOAT - If TONKA made boats - the would copy the Montauk!!!
Cons: Price..

My 1990 Montauk is truly the best general inshore platform available. From fishing off/near shore to inshore and flats. I've moved roughly 1200 lbs of raw materials from shore to nearby island and no problems - ran 25+ and got up on plane easily. She is amazingly tough. In winter 1999 - she was picked up by a freak tornado in Opa Locka Florida and laid over on her side. Other than a SLIGHTLY bent bow rail and rocket-launcher up on the T-Top - the boat stayed in perfect condition..

One 6-9' day in Gov't Cut off Miami I took on about 300gls of water - swamping her basically - (not paying attention to Tug wake) - the boat was able to creep back to the ramp with 4 adults onboard. I was able to de-water her, wash everything off and get back underway.

If you're looking for one tough, good looking little boat that will do just about anything you want.. The Montauk is definitely your boat...

Pros: Light, fast on a plane, good fishing platform.
Cons: Hard ride.

We purchased our Montauk 17 in 1977 and have owned it ever since. It is very well constructed, has excellent SS hardware and has withstood the test of time. It's a great fishing boat with plenty of room to maneuver, and it has a shallow draw allowing access to shallow areas. The main drawback is a very hard ride in a head or quartering sea. I recommend this boat for great fun and as an investment.

Pros: Solid and unsinkable
Cons: Lack of storage, external gas tank

I bought a 17' 1974 Montauk in need of some restoration.
I spent a couple of months refinishing the wood and bringing the boat back to a sea worthy state. It was worth the effort. This is a very safe and secure feeling boat. I have used the boat mostly of the coast of Cape Cod, and have felt safe even in 5' seas. It also gets attention at the ramp similar to a restored classic car. Lots of Whaler fans on the Cape.
This is a good boat for fishing in moderate seas or trolling in a shallow bay. It is however short on features
such as live well, storage and built in gas tank. Even with these negatives it is still a easy to opperate and launch boat.
An added bonus, at least in the northeast is that they retain their value or even increase with some work.