I’ve come into possession of a [1997 or 1998--ALWAYS USE FOUR DIGITS FOR A YEAR] Dauntless 13. The boat has been in my family since it was new. I love this boat and it has sentimental value to me so I don’t want to sell and replace. It still has its original Evinrude 35-HP two-stroke-power-cycle engine. I believe the DAUNTLESS 13 is rated to 50-HP.
I cannot find information about the maximum engine weight for a c.1997 DAUNTLESS 13.
The c.1997 DAUNTLESS 13 has been great over the years, but the Evinrude 35-HP engine has been a little janky since 2016. [The Evinrude 25-HP engine] has trouble with idle when cold.
The c.1997 DAUNTLESS 13 boat has always felt a little under-powered. The boat takes a while to plane if there is no weight in the bow.
I intend to use the boat primarily for angling in reservoirs with attitudes as hight a 9,500-feet. I will also use the boat [at sea level] on the Texas coast [of the Gulf of Mexico].
My plans for modifications are:
- to re-power with new four-stroke-power-cycle engine of 40 to 50-HP fuel-injected engine and probably a HONDA or a TOHATSU;
- to remove bow rail because the bow rail gets in the way when angling with a fly rod;
- to increase the fuel tank capacity, perhaps with a MOELLER on-deck fuel tank installed under a seat;
- to install a fish finder
- to install a trolling motor with a mounting plate for easy removal of the motor.
- to install a poling platform, butI am nervous the addition of pprox 50-lbs of poling platform to the stern will create more difficulty getting the boat on plane.
Please give advice on any of these six modification. Thanks.
[Corollary topic on use of fuel-injection to eliminate horsepower change with altitude is moved to a separate thread. See
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=6140 --Moderator.]