Naturally, in the summer months, they can be found on their Dauntless enjoying all that the big lake has to offer. “We wanted a boat built for rougher conditions,” says Bill, a longtime admirer of the Whaler brand. The Whittsitts’ 40 years living in Washington, D.C., weren’t as amenable to boat ownership, but their move to Montana made it possible. “This lake has a reputation for getting some heavy chop,” Bill continues. “Storms can come up quickly, and you can get some pretty interesting conditions.” Geography is to blame for that, but the Whitsitts knew a Whaler could handle whatever Flathead threw at them. They were also tied to having a boat that had a shallow enough draft for beaching and going up the Flathead River. “It was that combo of functionality and durability that sold us,” Bill adds. Their first Whaler was a 170 Montauk, which they bought after Kristy saw a Boston Whaler commercial on TV. Kristy grew up on a ranch in central Montana and hadn’t spent much time around boats. “When I first learned that we were going to be on the water,” she explains, “safety was my biggest concern. For us alone and for when we have our precious cargo onboard.” She’s referring to their four grandchildren, whom they love to pull around the lake on a tube. The television commercial in question featured the iconic image of a Boston Whaler being cut in half with a chainsaw, and the two halves remained floating. “I turned to Bill and said, ‘Honey, that’s our boat; it’s unsinkable,’” Kristy recalls.
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