Too many builders treat dual-consoles like they were un-carpeted bowriders. Sure, a DC guy may be sacrificing some fishability to get multi-use capabilities out of his boat but that doesn’t mean he won’t use it like a hard-core, beating through tough sea conditions and putting in long hours on the fishing grounds. The flimsy windshields, light-duty hulls, and rickety chairs you’ll find on many standard bowriders simply don’t cut it for this kind of use. That’s where Whaler steps in, with the 180 Ventura. It’s built like all Boston Whalers, with an unsinkable foam-sandwich hull that can take the worst you have to dish out.
Other construction touches contributing to the Ventura’s you-can’t-kill-me attitude are tinned-copper wiring, mildew-retardant vinyl, and Whaleboard phenolic backing plates behind all the hardware. But a multi-use boat has to play lots of roles, not just that of fishboat. So the Ventura offers up standard bow cushions, a ski-tow pylon, ski racks, and an integral swim platform with a recessed stainless-steel telescoping ladder.
After a day of putting those water-toys to use, maybe you’d like to split the next one between fishing the flats and trolling in open water. Good thing the Ventura is as diverse in its fishing capabilities as it is overall. There’s a pre-molded flat for an electric trolling motor at the bow, a livewell in the transom, and optional stern and gunwale-mount rodholders. Er… optional? C’mon guys, this is one of the most expensive 18’ DC’s around, so you could at least make the rodholders standard features.
When I ran the Ventura it had a 135 HP Verado on the transom, which is 15 horses shy of the max. Still, it showed the fast and efficient cruising you’ll want for fishing and the quick time to plane (under four seconds,) you’ll need for skiing. And yes, it felt thoroughly solid underfoot, too. Remember—the Ventura’s a whole lot more then a carpet-free bowrider.
There’s more on this boat at www.whaler.com.
LOA – 18’6”
Beam – 8’0”
Draft – 12”
Dry weight – 2,300
Fuel capacity - 60
Max HP – 150
Price – A hair under $50,000.
Observed performance w/2 people and half fuel, 135 HP Mercury Verado outboard, swinging a 14 3/4” x 17” three-bladed stainless-steel prop.
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Cruise RPM
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Speed in MPH
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Gallons Per Hour
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Miles per gallon
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Slow cruise/3500
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22.2
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5.1
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4.4
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Fast cruise/4500
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32.0
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8.5
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3.8
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Wide open/6000
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43.5
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19.2
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2.3
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| It's not a hard-core fishboat, but it's not a bow-rider, either. |
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