BW MONTAUK 17 (1971) versus BW 16SL

[luciano]

dear all,
who can help me ?

I want buy second hand boat for fishing and daily cruise with my wife and my kid in mediterraneo sea.
I' found two BW: a montauk 17 of 1971 with a mercury 90HP (2 strokes) of 2001 (they want 11.500 euros) and a 16LS perfect with a johnson 79 HP (2 strokes) (they want 9.800).
which is the best boat for me ?
tks for the help
ciao
IL

 

[JB]

Re: BW MONTAUK 17 (1971) versus BW 16SL

Howdy, Luciano.

There is no question about which was the better boat when new.

The classic Montauk was first introduced in 1974, as the Montauk 16. The Montauk 17 first appeared in 1976 when the basic 16'7" hull was modified (smirked bow) and renamed the 17. A 1971 boat that is claimed to be a Montauk has been modified from a 16' hull model or it is a misnamed Sakonnet, Nauset, or other 16' model. It would be worthwhile to find out which it really is. If you can get a photo I can identify it for you.

I owned a 1966 Sakonnet 16, a 1981 classic Montauk 17 and a 1999 classic Montauk 17. All were wonderful boats, but all were rigged as originally made. I have seen some modified, rerigged 16 hulls that are claimed to be Montauks. We call them "made-tauks" and the workmanship can be anything from awful to wonderful.

All of those boats were superb fishing boats. I used them offshore and in fresh water.

The 16SL was a bad boat. They only made it for a few years, while the classic Montauk was made for nearly 30 years and many of us wept when it went out of production. I never talked to any Boston Whaler nut who mourns the 16SL.

If the boat you are looking at that claims to be a Montauk is well done it is a far better boat than even a new 16SL ever was.

 

[luciano]

Re: BW MONTAUK 17 (1971) versus BW 16SL

Dear JB,

you convinced me, and my wife agree with you expecially for the look of the montauk that is really better.
I asked the seller about the model and he answered me that the BW is a sakonnet 17 and so you are right.
In the meantime I found a BW montauk of 1977 in good conditions but with old 75 HP engine (mercury). They ask for 8000 euros.
Which are the differences between mantauk and sakonnet ?
thank you
ciao
IL

 

[JB]

Re: BW MONTAUK 17 (1971) versus BW 16SL

I dearly loved my Sakonnet, Luciano. It has great elegance in the gleaming mahogany console and reversible seat. I also really liked the raised front casting platform (it was optional).

The Montauk, with the smirked bow, was a better hull. It handled choppy water better and pounded less in a chop. The fiberglass console was a lot easier to maintain and the reversible pilot seat was a lot more comfortable.

It would be a hard choice for me. The Sakonnet is a gorgeous and elegant boat, a true classic when well maintained, but the Montauk is a better fisherman.

Pic#1 is my Sakonnet, Sunshine, and pic#2is my 1981 Montauk, Sunshine III.

 

[luciano]

Re: BW MONTAUK 17 (1971) versus BW 16SL

Dear Ancient Mariner,

tomorrow I' ll go to see the boat.
The seller says it's a Sakonnet but I' ve seen a picture (that I sent to you) and the inside of the boat looks to be white instead of the tipical colour light blue that I' ve seen in many other sakonnet. But this is from 1977 !
What do you think about that, it' a real sakonnet or not ?tks
Luciano

 

[JB]

Re: BW MONTAUK 17 (1971) versus BW 16SL

That is a real Sakonnet, Luciano, and a gorgeous example, but not a 1977.

The Sakonnet was made with the white (BW called it "desert tan") inner hull from 1974 through 1976 and discontinued because of the cost of manufacture. It could be a 1976 that was sold new as a 1977.

What a beautiful boat!! I wish you the best of luck in acquiring her.

 

[luciano]

Re: BW MONTAUK 17 (1971) versus BW 16SL

I' ve seen it ! it's a beatiful boat.
I'll buy it and then I'll need a lot of help from you to put the boat in order to go well, tricks and ips about sakonnet, you know...which is the best place for bactery, tank...stuff like that!
I'm excited.
thanks for all
ciao
IL