Boston Whaler 210 Dauntless (2014-)

Brief Summary

With its standard 200-hp Mercury 4-stroke Verado outboard and a 75-gal. (285 L) fuel tank, the brand new for 2014 has the endurance to run all day at moderate cruising speeds. She has been designed and built from scratch to be used as a full-family-friendly vessel for towing sports, fishing or just plain cruising. An enclosed head adds comfort when on a longer cruise, while a lockable center console storage permits the boat to be loaded with gear.

Key Features

• Hydraulic tilt steering
• Acrylic windshield
• Full width aft casting platform
• Insulated livewell with blue interior and lid on front of console
• Portable head in console
• Swim platform with telescoping ladder
• 4 forward drink holders
• Reversible pilot seat with locking backrest and slide-out cooler
• Stern seat with folding backrest

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	20' 6'' / 6.24 m
Beam	8' 6'' 2.59 m
Dry Weight	2,600 lbs. 1,179 kg
Tested Weight	3,809 lbs. 1,728 kg
Draft	14'' 0.36 m
Deadrise/Transom	16-deg.
Max Headroom	open
Bridge Clearance	7' 7'' 2.31 m (w/ T-top)
Fuel Capacity	75 gal. 284 L
Water Capacity	N/A
Total Weight	3,809 lbs. 1,728 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	3.3 sec.
0 to 30	8.2 sec.
Ratio	N/A
Props	17P Enertia
Load	2 persons, 31/50 fuel, no water, 50 lbs. of gear
Climate	67 deg., 47 humid.; wind: 0-5 mph; seas: calm

Engine Options

Tested Engine	1 x 200-hp Mercury Verado L6
Std. Power	1 x 200-hp Mercury Verado XL L4 DTS 4-stroke
Opt. Power	1 x 150-hp Mercury XL EFI 4-stroke

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Mission

The 210 Dauntless is designed with traditional Boston Whaler quality attributes of safe, level flotability, responsive handling, comfort and functionality. Her multitasking design supports relaxed long-day cruising and a wide array of watersport fun and options, without sacrificing practical fishing features and serious fishability. The 210 is sized in the middle of Boston Whaler’s Dauntless fleet. She is optimized to perform well in a range of water, from boating or fishing in shallow inland locations, to coastal off-shore cruising. The new 210 is designed with families, friends and leisure time in mind.

Distinguishing Features

• The trademark Boston Whaler wide bow carries the 8'6'’ (2.59 m) beam forward beyond what is typical of other boats in her class.
• Bow amenities and options support leisure time including sun lounging, cruising, and optional dining, with conversion possibilities to transform into a fully functional, spacious forward fishing platform.
• Roomy center console design with ample deck space fore and aft of the console and wide, easy access port and starboard from one end of the boat to the other.
• Reversible pilot seat with adjustable locking backrest and three under-seat conversion options that include slide out 54 qt. (51.1 L) cooler (standard), reversible pilot seat with storage and reversible pilot seat with livewell.
• Welded stainless steel grab rails, stern side rails, bow rails and optional split bow rail design for convenient forward boarding.
• Full-width aft casting platform with convertible folding-back seating and under platform storage.
• Available optional pedestal fishing seats; available T-top option.
• Stern variations include All Activity Tower, poling platform with ski and wakeboard racks, plus available ski pylon or tow arch for watersports.
• Standard in-console portable head.

Major Features

•

LOA:

20' 6" (6.24 m)
•

LOA (with platforms):

21' 3" (6.48 m)
•

Beam:

8' 6" (2.59 m)
•

Draft:

14" (0.36 m)
•

Weight (dry, no engine):

2,600 lbs. (1,179 kg)
•

Maximum Weight Capacity:

2,300 lbs. (1,043 kg)
•

Swamped Capacity:

4,300 lbs. (1950 kg)
•

Person Capacity:

8
•

Maximum Horsepower:

200 HP (149 kW)
•

Minimum Horsepower:

150 HP (112 kW)
•

Deadrise at Transom:

16-degrees
•

Fuel Capacity:

75 gal. (284 L)
•

Maximum Engine Weight:

530 lbs. (240 kg)
•

Transom Height:

25" (0.64 m)
•

Bridge Clearance:

5' 7" (1.70 m)
•

Bridge Clearance with T-top:

7' 7" (2.31 m)

Comparison

Boston Whaler boats are known for their stable ride and responsive handling. The 210’s dense, fully foamed-core V-hull contributes to strength and a quiet, solid feel to the ride, in addition to providing superior flotation. Her deadrise at the transom is 16-degrees. Stability is extremely important in a boat of this size. Our crews have tested other models in the Dauntless Series and found them to handle and perform very well, cutting through waves smoothly and cleanly with gentle re-entry. The Dauntless design delivers a solid, dry boating experience and there’s every reason to expect the 210 model to live up to high standards and expectations.

Flexibility in the Bow.

The 210’s multiple bow conversion options give her one of the most versatile bow designs available on the market, and fishermen will enjoy this boat every bit as much as sport and leisure minded families.

Value.

Between design amenities and quality construction, all-in-all, the 210 Dauntless and the Boston Whaler Dauntless Series, in general, represent a very strong value proposition. And speaking of value, Boston Whaler boats are in it for the long haul. They hold their price extremely well over time and are known for rigs with a long, healthy lifespan.

Boat Inspection

The 210 Dauntless has a comfortable, family-friendly 20’’ (50.8 cm) interior freeboard and high, sturdy stainless steel bow and aft side rails. Wide gunwales help make the 210 easy to board, and generous space between the rails and center console give her a roomy feel when moving about in the boat. The 210 is rich with overall comfort features.

Amenities.

At the stern is a swim platform with a telescoping ladder. Convenience items such as drink holders are plentiful in the forward section and at the helm. 4 to 6 (depending on stern options) built-in aft deck-mounted rod holders complement another 6 positioned left and right of the forward console seat. Another 4 rod holders come with the addition of the optional T-top for a total potential of 16 rod holders, which is virtually unheard of in a boat this size.
A high and handy console grab rail follows the contours of the standard acrylic windshield at the helm. Side rails in the aft section are also standard. Standard bow rails may be replaced by enhanced, higher forward side rails or the optional split bow rail. All are formed of 316-L stainless steel.

Seating Options.

A padded forward console seat is a nice seat for passengers to enjoy, regardless of whether the 210 is outfitted for fishing or cruising. Under it is the standard equipped, insulated livewell with blue interior and cover. The spacious forward deck affords an ample platform for casting, and at the buyer’s choice, may be outfitted with a sun lounge seat that includes additional cushions at the bow and port/starboard. The tilt-up padded, 2-person-wide sun lounge back rest is split, allowing for either or both sides to be tilted into the angled upright position. An optional bow table negates the sun lounge, however there are enough creative bow options to please just about everyone depending on their personal choice. Whatever bow activity is chosen, passengers will enjoy the roominess in this forward section.

A full aft linear casting platform converts to a fold-up back to form a padded bench seat with seat base and under seat storage. The standard double-wide pilot seat is reversible with a multiple-position locking backrest, and under it is the standard slide-out 54 qt. (51.1 L) carry-on cooler. The cooler may be traded out for optional additional storage or a second livewell with a 25 gal. (94.6 L) capacity.

Storage.

The forward fishbox/storage compartment and bow anchor locker are both equipped with overboard drains. Aft storage under the bench seat and pilot seat storage, already mentioned, are complemented by lockable console storage. While there is no lockable rod storage, we already highlighted the ample prevalence of rod holders aboard the 210.

Livewells.

The standard forward livewell and optional second livewell under the pilot’s seat are both designed for efficient access and to provide continuously refreshed and recirculated water.

Console and Helm.

Our captains have always had positive things to say about the console design and instrumentation on the Dauntless models. Helm steering is purposely positioned full left at the console and aligned with the compass, which is set higher in a molded base. The SmartCraft gauges are like their name, very “smart” in their design, and contain an array of multiple data displays and engine alarms.

Construction Details

Boston Whaler has been building their rigs for more than 50 years. They are confident enough in their hull designs and their unique foam-cored construction process to have trademarked the term, “The Unsinkable Legend.” When the deck and hull sections come together, expandable foam is injected into the entire length of the hull, not just to bolster flotation, but to add strength and serve as a bonding component as well.
It is to be noted that the USCG does not require level flotation when swamped for boats exceeding 20’ (6.09 m) in length. According to the builder, ALL Boston Whalers not only float, but will float level when swamped.
There is a solid quality feel to every aspect and feature aboard the 210 Dauntless. It will be noticed in her handling and responsiveness, and also in the operation of controls, hatches, and in the many “small” details that contribute to a luxury feel in a boat. For example, the head is accessed through a starboard console door. Boston Whaler built an inner liner within the console enclosure. There are no rough edges or unfinished surfaces in the console interior. The inside is as finished as the console exterior.
There are comfort features and amenities aboard the 210 Dauntless to please the most demanding and discriminating boater.

Engine Options

The 210 has a 75 gal. (283.9 L) fuel capacity. She is equipped standard with a 200 XL L4 Mercury Verado 4-stroke engine (200-hp/149.2 kW). The recommended engine option for the 210 Dauntless is the 150 XL EFI Mercury 4-stroke motor.
Optional power steering for the Dauntless 210 is not compatible with the 150 EFI engine. Other notable options include a trolling motor panel for the bow, bow seating amenities or bow table, and a variety of stern options already mentioned, plus the rail options already explored in this article, optional pedestal fishing seats (2), Sirius satellite radio, and/or a Fusion AM/FM stereo radio with waterproof speakers.
Additional options include a freshwater shower with a 12 gal. (45.4 L) tank, choice of 7 or 9’’ (17.8 cm/22.9 cm) display Raymarine electronics packages, a Raymarine 49 VHF radio, the reversible pilot seat options with livewell, or with storage in place of the cooler, a variety of canvas options including console and pilot seat covers, plus a choice of hull colors, including what the builder calls, Desert Tan, Glacier Green and Light Blue.
The 210 has an available torsion axle aluminum trailer equipped with disc brakes, guide-on stanchions, LED lights, radial tires and a spare tire as standard.

Price and Cost of Major Options

The MSRP for the 210 Dauntless base package (200 Mercury Verado engine, standard hydraulic tilt steering, compass and SmartCraft deluxe gauge package) is $61,642.
Optional hull color packages are priced at $1,328. Hydraulic power steering on the 200 Mercury Verado equipped on the 210 is an option, priced at $1,463. The 150 EFI Mercury motor option reduces the package price by $3,450, but it should be noted that this engine option requires standard cable steering and the digital throttle and shift features that are standard with the 200 Verado are also unavailable with the 150 EFI motor.
An optional bow tow eye is priced at $1,940. The split bow rail feature replaces the standard bow rail at a cost of $261, but is not compatible with the trolling motor panel priced at $306, which includes battery boxes and other features. The trolling motor panel is not compatible, however, with the optional anchor roller, priced at $306.
Also at the bow, the sun lounge which includes bow cushions ($942 as a stand-alone) is priced at $2,985. Boaters cannot enjoy the sun lounge option with the optional bow table—it’s an either/or option. The table is priced at $1,030.
The optional T-top with storage bag is $7,313. Also at the console, the reversible pilot seat with livewell option is priced at $1,903, and the pilot seat with storage option comes at a cost of $1,321 MSRP.
At the stern, the optional All Activity Tower with its features is an additional $2,015. The Tow Arch ($955) and the Ski Pylon ($1,381), are both incompatible with the All Activity Tower, however. Finally, the aluminum trailer package is an additional $6,866 and is nicely equipped.

Observations

Boston Whaler calls their Dauntless Series “transformational,” referring to the line’s impressive multitasking capabilities. We agree with the observation, and the 210 Dauntless is a very nice evolution from the original 200 Dauntless. With each increase in size in the series, of course comes additional features and amenities, but the 21’ Dauntless has impressive weight capacity numbers for her size, a dry weight (with no engine) at a petite 2,600 lbs. (1,043 kg), and modest towing and storage requirements for a boat in her class.
With versatility, handling, performance, Boston Whaler’s legendary flotation properties, and luxury comfort amenities in a boat that’s optimized for anything from fishing in skinny waters to sport or coastal cruising—we’re pleased to salute the new 210 Dauntless and welcome her to the Dauntless fleet.