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Question about an boat that's been sitting for years..
Posted on 7/10/26 at 7:36 am
Posted on 7/10/26 at 7:36 am
Inherited a Boston Whaler Dauntless 13 that's been sitting for 10 years. Looking for advice on whether it's worth restoring.
I was recently handed down a Boston Whaler Dauntless 13 that has been sitting uncovered in a backyard for about 10 years. It doesn't have a motor, and it took some minor damage during Hurricane Ida. Most of the visible damage is to the stainless rails, which were knocked off.
At this point, I really don't know what I have.
Things I don't know:
Whether the hull has any leaks.
Whether the fiberglass is still structurally sound.
If the foam core has taken on water.
Whether there are any hidden issues from sitting outside for so long.
The boat has no motor, so I'm essentially starting from scratch.
My goal isn't to build a showpiece. I'd like to restore it into a safe, reliable family boat that my kids can learn to operate. The Dauntless 13 seems like the perfect size for that—assuming it's still structurally sound.
For those of you who have restored older Whalers:
What would be the first things you would inspect?
How can I determine if the hull has absorbed water?
Is there a good way to pressure test or check for leaks before I invest money in a repower?
What are the common issues with Dauntless 13s that have sat for years?
At what point would you decide it's not worth restoring?
I'd appreciate any advice or lessons learned before I start putting money into it.
TIA
I was recently handed down a Boston Whaler Dauntless 13 that has been sitting uncovered in a backyard for about 10 years. It doesn't have a motor, and it took some minor damage during Hurricane Ida. Most of the visible damage is to the stainless rails, which were knocked off.
At this point, I really don't know what I have.
Things I don't know:
Whether the hull has any leaks.
Whether the fiberglass is still structurally sound.
If the foam core has taken on water.
Whether there are any hidden issues from sitting outside for so long.
The boat has no motor, so I'm essentially starting from scratch.
My goal isn't to build a showpiece. I'd like to restore it into a safe, reliable family boat that my kids can learn to operate. The Dauntless 13 seems like the perfect size for that—assuming it's still structurally sound.
For those of you who have restored older Whalers:
What would be the first things you would inspect?
How can I determine if the hull has absorbed water?
Is there a good way to pressure test or check for leaks before I invest money in a repower?
What are the common issues with Dauntless 13s that have sat for years?
At what point would you decide it's not worth restoring?
I'd appreciate any advice or lessons learned before I start putting money into it.
TIA
Posted on 7/10/26 at 8:03 am to EnragedPlatypus
The most important thing to worry about is the potential of termites.
Posted on 7/10/26 at 8:09 am to glassman
quote:
The most important thing to worry about is the potential of termites.
I did a very brief look over yesterday and its looking rough. How would I determine if anything is damaged inside the hull?
Posted on 7/10/26 at 8:22 am to EnragedPlatypus
Walk the entire floor area and look for soft spots where the decking is sinking under our weight.
Friend of mind had this and he cut out most of the floor, removed the bad wood, replaced it by glassing it in and installed new fiberglass decking and then covered it with indoor/outdoor carpet.
Friend of mind had this and he cut out most of the floor, removed the bad wood, replaced it by glassing it in and installed new fiberglass decking and then covered it with indoor/outdoor carpet.
Posted on 7/10/26 at 8:30 am to gumbo2176
drill a few holes in the transom looking for rot. if present that's a really big job to replace, find a better boat
Posted on 7/10/26 at 8:31 am to EnragedPlatypus
quote:
Inherited a Boston Whaler Dauntless 13 that's been sitting for 10 years.
Those are some cool lil boats. I think one of the main issues they have is the foam gets saturated and they're heavy AF. I saw a video where a dude drilled about 100 holes in the bottom and left it in his garage to dry out for a year. He then glassed the holes and it was fine.
I had a chance to buy a hull/trailer in decent condition for $1000 back in 2018. I'm still kicking myself for passing it up.
Posted on 7/10/26 at 9:29 am to EnragedPlatypus
If you inherited the boat no reason to not investigate the hull to see if you can salvage. If you look on facebook and the internet there is tons of information on restoration. The flooring needs to be checked out like others have said. Also recommend drilling an investigative hole near the transom to check the foam and see if it is waterlogged
Posted on 7/10/26 at 10:39 am to EnragedPlatypus
Modern Boston Whaler Dauntless models do not use wood in their structural hull, transom, or stringers. Instead, they use advanced composite materials like high-density foam and fiberglass for their "Unibond" construction. However, older Dauntless models utilized plywood cores for structural support and backing plates.
You didn’t list yr but I bet you can figure out most of your questions on the BW website. Elbow grease and some $$ should bring it back to new condition.
Enjoy in good health, I bet it’s worth the trouble.
You didn’t list yr but I bet you can figure out most of your questions on the BW website. Elbow grease and some $$ should bring it back to new condition.
Enjoy in good health, I bet it’s worth the trouble.
Posted on 7/10/26 at 11:05 am to KemoSabe65
quote:
You didn’t list yr
Sorry, its from around '97.
Will look at the site for more information.
Posted on 7/10/26 at 9:39 pm to EnragedPlatypus
quote:I have tshirts older than that. I bet it’s all composite. Fix that boat up and get it out on the water
Sorry, its from around '97.
Posted on 7/11/26 at 8:51 am to cgrand
quote:
I have tshirts older than that. I bet it’s all composite. Fix that boat up and get it out on the water
Google says that year model has wood stringers and transom. Still, if it’s been kept under a shed or something it could still be in decent shape and salvageable
Posted on 7/11/26 at 3:00 pm to jorconalx
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Inherited a Boston Whaler Dauntless 13 that's been sitting for 10 years. Looking for advice on whether it's worth restoring.
I was recently handed down a Boston Whaler Dauntless 13 that has been sitting uncovered in a backyard for about 10
Back to top
Inherited a Boston Whaler Dauntless 13 that's been sitting for 10 years. Looking for advice on whether it's worth restoring.
I was recently handed down a Boston Whaler Dauntless 13 that has been sitting uncovered in a backyard for about 10
Posted on 7/11/26 at 3:31 pm to KemoSabe65
jackass. Alx is rubbing off on you Posted on 7/12/26 at 11:00 pm to EnragedPlatypus
quote:
Whether there are any hidden issues from sitting outside for so long.
10 Years outside...uncovered? It has issues. Having cut out and replaced wood stringers and re-fiberglassed a boat bottom twice myself...it will not be worth it. That was not fun. Not to mention the transom may well be shot.
The costs of restoring the boat, restoring or getting a trailer, getting a motor with controls, new steering...did it come with paperwork to make it all legal?
Just keep your eyes open for what you want used but in decent shape and buy it...it'll be cheaper.
Posted on 7/13/26 at 5:14 am to DMAN1968
quote:
Just keep your eyes open for what you want used but in decent shape and buy it...it'll be cheaper.
This is sound advice. Find a good used boat and enjoy the water, not a longterm restoration project.
Posted on 7/13/26 at 5:46 am to DMAN1968
Wood is typically only a problem IF the glass has delaminated OR drilled holes were not sealed properly.
I would get the dry hull weight and trailer to a scale to weigh. If it’s holding water the weight will be revealed.
Could also bore scope the bilge/stringers, unless the plug was left in and it sat with water in the hull it’s probably good to go.
Post some pics for us to see condition.
I would get the dry hull weight and trailer to a scale to weigh. If it’s holding water the weight will be revealed.
Could also bore scope the bilge/stringers, unless the plug was left in and it sat with water in the hull it’s probably good to go.
Post some pics for us to see condition.
Posted on 7/13/26 at 9:36 am to EnragedPlatypus
quote:
Inherited a Boston Whaler Dauntless 13 that's been sitting for 10 years. Looking for advice on whether it's worth restoring.
Yes absolutely.
quote:
Whether the hull has any leaks.
doubtful
quote:
Whether the fiberglass is still structurally sound.
probably
quote:
If the foam core has taken on water.
More probable than not, but not a big deal.
We re-did a 16 mantauk and love that little boat. Like my boat guy said, does foam likely have some water in it, probably so, but is it worth stripping all the way down to fix it, no.
Step one is to clean it up and see what you have. Then find a motor and enjoy.
Posted on 7/13/26 at 1:23 pm to KemoSabe65
quote:
would get the dry hull weight and trailer to a scale to weigh. If it’s holding water the weight will be revealed.
Sounds like Op’s best bet here. Quickest and cheapest way to determine scope of the project.
Posted on 7/13/26 at 10:33 pm to EnragedPlatypus
Do you have the paperwork for the hull and was it passed to you correctly? I'd make sure you can register it first. If not, I'd find another boat. As someone who did an extensive restoration on a 90s Carolina Skiff J16, I would not put that amount of time, money and probably lung damage into a hull you will never be able to register.
Posted on 7/15/26 at 9:25 pm to EnragedPlatypus
Check grok- older ones have wood in beams. Your biggest risk is soft wood in beam or hull. Newer ones don’t have wood and should be fine. Check year make and find out..
Hydroflat on highway 90 is a good person to ask about fiberglass structures…
Hydroflat on highway 90 is a good person to ask about fiberglass structures…
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