Rated up to 400 hp, the Boston Whaler has no trouble handling this power - quite the contrary, in fact. For our test, we had on the transom a Mercury 300 hp engine.
Thus equipped, performance is within the norm, with a lift-off in 4.5 seconds and a cruising speed of around 27 knots, which is very decent. At full throttle, we're approaching 51 mph, which is also very good. But that's not the most important thing.
A deeper, more versatile hull
While the previous generation was already renowned for its way to handle the sea, this new hull gives the boat the ability to sail further. Let's be clear: the 250 Dauntless is no longer intended only for calm waters, but is clearly capable of tackling choppy waters, making it even more versatile. What's more, crew comfort has been further enhanced, and no one will complain here either.
As far as power is concerned, a 200 or 250 hp engine is obviously an option, without making it too soft.
In our test, with a 300 hp Mercury engine, the boat proved very responsive. Very fast to plane, the Boston Whaler is then very pleasant to handle. Well-balanced, it allows you to make fast turns without worrying the pilot or the crew, and above all, with a very high level of comfort.
If you like power, the 400 hp version should propel the boat well over 50 knots, making it a truly sporty craft, but is that really reasonable?
