Boston Whaler 240 Dauntless Review

Center console runabouts have long been popular with salt-water anglers, who value their simplicity, their versatility, and their 360-degree access to the water. But with their ability to do so many things well, center consoles have begun to catch on with fresh-water anglers and cottagers too – especially newer designs that are built with more than fishing in mind, like Boston Whaler’s 240 Dauntless.

The overall approach – a big bow deck with generous storage underneath, full walk-around access, a center-mounted island with the helm and yet more storage, followed by an open stern – is built for any kind of fun in the sun, offering plenty of open deck space and easy access. Boston Whaler has really seized on this concept, and the 240 Dauntless is a far more family-friendly boat than traditional center console designs.

Cavernous storage beneath the front deck accommodates everything from fishing rods and picnic baskets.

The large raised deck in the stern conceals four surface-mount fishing rod holders and a pair of recessed beverage holders toward the gunnels, but is also the perfect place to set up for a turn on the wakeboard or water skis. Look closely and you’ll note the recessed mounting ferrule just ahead of the engine that accepts an available ski pylon, while a retractable three-step boarding ladder on the starboard side of the rear swim platform makes it a cinch for swimmers to easily reboard.

Step into the main cockpit and that big rear deck folds upward to reveal a three-across transom bench seat, finished in a supple two-tone vinyl. It’s a split bench seat, so the large storage compartment hidden in its base can be accessed partially by opening the port-side seat base or fully by lifting toward the starboard side. Gas assist rams make it easy for even children to open the entire compartment with just one hand.

Because the helm seat has a reversible back, it can be easily adjusted to a rear-facing position. Facing the rear bench seat, this arrangement provides a comfortable conversation area.

Because the helm seat has a reversible back, it can be easily adjusted to a rear-facing position.

A pair of flush-mount fishing rod holders in the rear seat corners speak further to this boat’s angling roots. A curious looking fiberglass module located midway along the rear face of this seat conveniently holds pliers, a hook remover, a knife and other accessories securely, yet close at hand.

The helm console conceals a washroom compartment, which is accessed through a door on the starboard side – owners can specify an available Porta-potti or pump-out head. The compartment is bright and well ventilated thanks to a port-side window, with four feet, five inches of height. The center console has vertical storage for six fishing rods – three per side along the forward part of the console – while overhead, an optional T-top provides plenty of shade on hot summer days. Boston Whaler’s attention to detail is clearly evident in the T-top, which includes a pair of small flaps that can be opened to allow longer fishing rods stored in those vertical racks to poke through – a brilliant little detail. In all, the 240 Dauntless has 16 rod holders in total, which should be enough for anyone.

The attractive helm includes a compass and an available hybrid-touch Raymarine digital display, while an optional smart box to starboard provides a secure and convenient place to carry iPads and other valuables.

The attractive helm includes a compass and an available hybrid-touch Raymarine digital display, while an optional smart box to starboard provides a secure and convenient place to carry iPads and other valuables. A pair of Mercury SmartCraft gauges and a row of rocker switches controlling lights, the live well and other accessories sit below the main gauges, and to the right of the black-and-chrome tilt steering wheel. Two different footrests in the base of the console, and a helm seat back with multiple position settings, allow drivers of any height to operate the boat in comfort.

The removable table converts the bow to a useful lunch space with seating for four. Try that with a traditional center console!

Up front, a forward-facing seat on the front face of the helm console makes for a comfortable spot while underway. Lift the seat cushion and you’ll find a lighted, aerated live well concealed in the seat base.

Where the bow seating can be a fairly uncomfortable place to hang out while underway in a lot of center consoles, this marks yet another spot in the 240 Dauntless where some nifty engineering comes into play. The rear section of the bow seats along each side can be lifted forward and locked upright, creating a matched pair of comfortable, forward-facing chaise lounges. Return the seat backs to the lowered position, install the optional removable table and this space creates a super-comfortable lunch spot.

Flip-up seat backs provide dual forward-facing seats in the bow. Folded flat, they allow the big front deck to be used as an expansive sun pad.

With the large filler cushions in place, the entire bow of the boat can be turned into a huge sunpad. Remove the cushions and the 240 Dauntless offers one of the largest front casting decks in its class. Multiple, generously sized locking storage compartments beneath the bow deck handle a wide range of oversized gear, including fishing rods, boat hooks and the like. They’re all insulated and self-draining with fully gasketed lids, so any of the compartments can be used as a cooler or fish box. The port compartment has integral rod lockers for convenience, while a big bow anchor locker up front also features an overboard drain.

The large raised deck in the stern conceals four surface-mount fishing rod holders and a pair of recessed beverage holders toward the gunnels, but is also the perfect place to set up for a turn on the wakeboard or water skis.

The 240 Dauntless comes with a 225 horsepower Mercury Verado four-stroke outboard with power steering as standard equipment. This reliable engine makes the 240 Dauntless a legitimate 45 mph boat, but for those who plan to regularly put the ski pylon to use or who just want a little more oomph, you can upgrade to a 250 or even a 300 horsepower Verado. With the 300 on the back, the 240 Dauntless will easily top 50 mph, and offers more than enough grunt to pull a 250-pound skier out of the hole even with a half-dozen passengers on board.

Boston Whaler 240 Dauntless

Length: 23’ 11”
Beam: 8’ 6”
Draft: 14”
Dry weight: 3,300 lbs.
Fuel capacity: 90 gal.
Passenger capacity: 9
Maximum power: 300 hp
Info: www.bostonwhaler.com