Boston Whaler 210 Montauk (2019-)

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	21' 4'' / 6.50 m
Beam	8' 6'' 2.59 m
Dry Weight	2,650 lbs. 1,202 kg
Tested Weight	3,930 lbs. 1,783 kg
Draft	15'' 0.38 m
Deadrise/Transom	16-deg.
Max Headroom	open
Bridge Clearance	11' 1'' 3.37 m (max)
Weight Capacity	2,800 lbs. 1,270 kg
Person Capacity	9
Fuel Capacity	66.5 gal. 252 L
Water Capacity	N/A
Total Weight	3,930 lbs. 1,783 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	3.6 sec.
0 to 30	11.4 sec.
Ratio	N/A
Props	14.7x16p Enertia
Load	3 persons, 2/5 fuel, no water, 50 lbs. of gear
Climate	74.8 deg., 46 humid; wind: 15-20 mph; seas: <1

Engine Options

Tested Engine	1 x 150-hp Mercury 4-stroke
Std. Power	1 x 150-hp Mercury EFI 4-stroke Black engine
Opt. Power	1 x 200-hp Mercury V6 DTS 4-stroke Black engine 1 x 200-hp Mercury V6 DTS 4-stroke White engine

Contents of Report

• Mission
• Distinguishing Features
• Major Features
• Design
• The Hull Shape
• Performance
• Handling
• Boat Inspection
• Optional Equipment
• Price
• Observations

Just add rods, ice, and gas and enjoy a 30+ mph (48.28 kph) ride to the ideal fishing spot.

There are plenty of places to cast without bumping into your buddies or crossing lines.

Mission

Build a comfortable and classy sportboat for any fishing or cruising day on the water, a boat that will draw people back over and over again.

Distinguishing Features

This photo has become famous for telling the story of Boston Whaler’s unique construction.

Boston Whaler’s trademark, built-in, positive flotation makes the 210 Montauk unsinkable.

Major Features

• Bow locker with fiberglass cover and overboard drain
• Forward fishbox/storage with overboard drain
• Fiberglass swim platform with grab rail and telescoping stainless steel swim ladder
• Hydraulic steering
• Welded stainless steel grab rail
• Aft quarter seats with removable base cushion and integrated backrest cushion (port and starboard)
• Reversible pilot seat with locking backrest and storage underneath – includes two rod holders

Design

An overhead view of the 210 Montauk reveals a shape and style that’s unmistakably Boston Whaler.

A quick walk-around the 210 Montauk or the other models in the Montauk line is like meeting the brother or sister of an old friend. It’s someone new but the family resemblance produces instant comfort and familiarity.

Boston Whaler’s first center console boat, the Nauset, was released in 1961. The combination of soft chine and wide bow designed to overhang the water gave it stability and speed, not to mention interior space.

That old friend and the variations that have followed show a clear genetic connection to the Montauk line. Hull contours and amenities from nearly seven decades of innovation give the 210 Montauk its own look but the boat’s Boston Whaler heritage is on display from every angle.

The Hull Shape

Boston Whaler redesigned the architecture of the 210 Montauk’s running surface to create a softer, drier ride.

She has a 16-degree deadrise at the transom, which is typical for inshore boats of this type. The deadrise warps to a fairly sharp entry and so she did not pound in the conditions we encountered.

Performance

Our 150-hp Mercury 4-stroke outboard motor spun a stainless-steel 14.7” x 16” three-blade Enertia propeller and we wound it up to 5750 rpm, hitting a top speed of 40.1 mph (64.53 kph). Best cruise came at 3500 rpm where we saw 22.3 mph (35.89 kph) and a fuel burn of 5.4 gph (20.3 lph). That translated to 4.2 mpg (1.77 KPL) and a range of 249 statute miles while holding 10 percent of the boat’s 66.5-gallon (252 L) fuel capacity in reserve.

When our 210 Montauk got up on a plane, it felt like more than 150 horses pushing her through the water.

In acceleration tests, the 210 Montauk planed in 3.6 seconds and ran through 20 mph (32.18 kph) in 7.8 seconds and through 30 mph (48.28 kph) in 11.4 seconds.

Acceleration Test

Handling

During our sea trial, we were running in a 1’ (0.30 m) chop and noticed a slight oscillation when running at higher speeds in a following sea, but by throttling back just slightly, we could run faster into the waves.

In turns, we trimmed in all the way, backed off a bit on the throttle and the 210 Montauk held her line through the maneuvers without ventilation.

Because the steering wheel takes 5 ¼ turns of the wheel lock-to-lock, we’d like to see a spinner knob on the wheel. As is typical, the torque effect of the prop makes it harder to turn one way than the other, which is another reason to have the steering knob.

Boat Inspection

Bow cushions and backrests are examples of options that most buyers will include.

Let’s start our inspection on the forward casting deck. The 210 Montauk’s bow is the best example of the boat’s convert-ability. The casting deck is 73” (1.85 m) at its widest and 46” (1.17 m) fore to aft. The boat is offered with a choice of bowrail heights. Ours had the higher version, which is 13” (0.33 m) above the 5 ¾”-wide (0.14 m) caprail.

Without the cushions or backrests, there’s plenty of stable space for two people to fish.

When it’s time for play, a cushion fills in the bow for sunning or sitting. Integrated cup holders are in each forward corner. Optional backrests quickly slip in place to create chaise-lounge-style seating.

With the backrests removed, there are two rod holders, a pair of beverage holders, and speakers in each rear corner of the bow.

The bow cleat is located directly above the optional trolling motor panel.

Forward, the bow cleat is positioned horizontally abaft the navigation light that has an integrated chock for dock or anchor lines. Bow storage is in the anchor locker and fishbox, both of which are insulated.

Each hatch opens on a gas strut and closes on a rubber gasket with twist and pull latches.

Cushion top and backrest make this large cooler a convenient and comfortable seat.

On the front of the console, our test boat had the optional backrest and bench seat on top of a 94-quart (89 L) removable cooler. Bungee cords and custom brackets hold the cooler securely in place.

The heavy-duty, powder-coated top frame includes five rocket launchers mounted along the aft edge.

Boston Whaler offers the 210 Montauk with a couple of options to provide protection from the elements including a fiberglass hardtop or the canvas T-top on our test boat. The sturdy powder-coated structure is equipped with a courtesy light.

Even with the optional toilet, there’s still space for ample storage.

A hatch in the starboard side of the console is ventilated, opens with a latch and a magnetic catch holds it in position. There’s storage on the inside of the hatch.

The entryway is 16” (0.41 m) wide and inside the console, there’s 4’4” (1.32 m) of headroom with 3’4” (1.016 m) of seated headroom above the Dometic pump-out toilet.

A compact and efficient console allows for plenty of walk-around space on both sides.

Moving to the 210 Montauk’s helm, above the dash is a high, effective acrylic windscreen. The compass is properly positioned ahead of the steering wheel on top of the soft-touch panel.

7” and 9” (17.78 cm and 22.86 cm) Raymarine electronics/navigation packages are available as options.

In the vertical section ahead of the wheel, our test boat had a 9” (22.86 cm) Raymarine multifunction display. To starboard, a carbon-fiber effect panel houses a multifunction gauge and a tachometer.

Rocker switches light when activated and there are circuit breakers below.

A Fusion stereo is beneath the gauges and there are connectivity and 12-volt power plugs to port.

To starboard are the binnacle controls, dual cup holders, and the VHF radio. I would move VHF microphone higher on the dash so it can’t accidentally be hit by someone’s knee. The ignition is to port of the wheel and the emergency shutoff switch is in a good location for securing to the driver.

If necessary, the helmsman can hold the VHF mic and operate the throttle with his/her right hand.

Down low on the console, there’s an angled footrest for seated passengers and an area for the captain to place his feet when traveling while standing.

Dual, independent bolsters allow two people to choose their own seat height.

On our test boat, the helm seat was 36” (91 cm) wide by 20” (50.8 cm) deep and its base was raised 27” (68.58 cm) off the deck. The backrest is convertible and outboard on each side are cup holders. The bottom cushion raises on hinges to reveal the livewell. Boston Whaler offers a variety of leaning posts including ones with a cooler in the base, or a livewell.

The 30-gallon (114 L) livewell option is aerated and equipped with a light. It has rounded corners and a blue finish.

The tool holder on the back of the leaning post is a good idea, but we’d move it to the stern so there aren’t sharp tools or hooks near people sitting on the seat.

The step-mounted grab rail allows re-boarding without having to hold onto a cleat or other questionable hand-hold.

Outboard on each side of the cockpit are sturdy bowrails with rod holders incorporated into them. Just aft to port is a swim platform with the four-step boarding ladder. The rail and ladder comply with American Boat & Yacht Council standards.

Aft on each side of the cockpit are nonskid casting platforms that measure 21 1/2” (0.546 m) fore and aft and 22 ¼” (0.565 m) wide. Each platform is hinged and equipped with a lift-and-lock latch.

Shown is the port side casting platform with the seat backrest down. Pick it up and there are a padded seat and backrest in each stern quarter.

The optional, aft cockpit table helps provide much-needed temporary storage space while the boat is at rest.

The bottom cushion for each aft seat is removable and underneath them are the batteries. Outboard of the starboard battery is the system switch.

Forward of the outboard motor in the deep splash well, we see the Seastar steering and at the front is the freshwater engine flush which is welcome. The fuel fill is in an excellent location to trap any accidental spills. Under the plastic, gasketed hatch is access to the bilge pump.

Construction

A standing-room-only crowd can’t swamp the boat.

Go to Boston Whaler’s web page, look under specs and you will see a line that says “Swamped capacity.” That line will not be found on any other builder’s website for the simple reasons that motorboats over 20’ (6.096 m) do not have to float if swamped. Neither the USCG nor the ABYC requires any kind of flotation for boats 20’1” (6.12 m) LOA or longer. All Boston Whalers float level if swamped, and in the case of the 210 Montauk, it can hold 4,000 lbs. (1,814 kg) of crew and gear weight and still float level. This is the kind of peace of mind that most people want to have when taking their family out on the water.

No problem finding a place to stick a rod on this Boston Whaler 210 Montauk.

Optional Equipment

While some boat buyers prefer to have every bolt-on item assembled in a package so they can just get down to the business of boating, others like setting the boat up like it was made just for them. Boston Whaler gives these buyers lots of options such as:

• Mercury engine options, 150 EFI black, 200 V6 DTS black or white
• Fiberglass hardtop
• Bow tow eye
• Electric trim tabs with indicators
• Fishing package – includes: 4 bow rod holders, 6 console-mounted rod holders, 94-quart (88.95 L) cooler, and 2 tackle drawers
• 12 gallon (45 L) freshwater shower
• Glovebox
• Porta-Potti with deck pump-out
• Rails in various configurations
• Raw water washdown
• Stainless steel bow rod holders
• Deluxe leaning post with flip-up bolsters and 30-gallon (114 L) livewell
• Blue interior, 2 cup holders
• Raw water washdown
• Pedestal fishing seat
• Reversible pilot seat with livewell
• Sun lounge seating
• Cockpit table
• Teak boarding steps
• Teak package
• Powder-coated tow arch
• Various Raymarine electronics packages
• Various color/graphics packages

An optional trolling motor and the boat’s shallow draft will get the Boston Whaler 210 Montauk way into the flats where others fear to tread.

Observations

There are plenty of quality, center console sportboats on the market. Boston Whaler’s big advantage is that in spite of changes in ownership and corporate structure over the decades, the company remains an icon of American boat building. The 210 Montauk can fish very effectively in the morning and pull the kids around on a tube in the afternoon. It has something for everyone.