Triton questions ....

[RedTop]

I know I should post in the Triton forums...but they don't get much response....and I need some advice pretty quick...

Ok here's the deal....

I can buy a 98 Stratos 201 Pro Elite Dual Console for 5600.00. 200 hp Evinrude Vindicator. The hydrolic steering needs a new seal...needs a new pump for one of the live wells...other than those 2 things...its a great boat. Runs great and everything else works great.

OR...

I can possibly buy a 2001 Triton Tr185 single Console....New Eagle 320 fishmarks front and console....New  Motor Guide FW-FP 71lb trolling motor. 40 hours on the motor and all the records. It has a Mercury XR6 150. The boat looks from the pictures to be in great shape. I'm going to look at it this weekend I hope.

My question is the following....

Is a TR185 really 19ft or 18' 6". Is 1 1/2 feet REALLY that big a deal in ride. I already know an 18 ft boat fishes a bit more cramped than a 20 ft boat does. But the price for this Triton is good I think. I'm looking for any imput I can find between the Stratos and Triton. The Triton has a hotfoot....Trim on the wheel....not sure what else yet.

Price for the Triton is 7000.00

Any advice and helpful tips or stories would be great!!!

Thanks folks!!!

[Jdaddy]

Hey bud, here are my thoughts. For me, more important then anything else will be Boat condition, year, engine and its condition. I will then start looking at the other stuff like Trolling motor, jack plate, electronics etc.


I have nothing but good things to say about Triton and not only since i owned 2 and loved/love them. Triton really makes fine boats - from the hull to the deck layout, the ride is awesome.

You really can't compare 2 different brands with 3-4 years difference, its would have been much harder if both were the same year.

I think you getting a better deal on the Triton since the engine has low hours ( I would double check that - sound weird the 9 year old engine only has 40 hrs ).

The Evinrude Vindicator had its fair share with problems and you are talking about a 12 year old one, check compression and take it for a good long 10-15 ride.  Older engines on bass/performance boats does not "sit" well with me. ( remember the saying - you get what you paid for ), will be pretty sad if it blow after a month and you be $3000 or more for a repair.

The Triton is 18'6" and to answer your question about the deck size difference - its really up to you. If you fish mostly yourself on the front deck and don't have 14 rods out you be fine. For some people 1' difference is allot.
I fish out of a 21' since I like the space and the option to have 2 anglers together without a problem but again, its up to you.


I think you need to have a MAX budget and try to get the best boat/engine for the money, don't look for the cheaper deal since you choosing 9-10 year old boats and not 1-2 year old boats.

[RedTop]

Ty for the post....

The Triton I posted about got sold jusyt hours after it was listed...I missed it.  However I did find another...

It's in FT. Worth and I'll be looking at it tomorrow. It has the XR6 and its a 2001. Manual Jack plate , trolling mototr , in dash Depth / GPS. Seats have been redone and carpet is in good shape.

The boat has some very minor gel coat stress cracks but not much at all.

Bottom isn't scratched and all in all the boat looks wonderful in the pics.

I'm headed up tomorrow afternoon to look at it and test it.

It's a TR186 and if it looks as good in person as it does in the add I'll more than likely buy it. We're taking it for a lake test as well.

The only reason I was looking at a bigger boat was my best frineds Stratos I was on was bigger and he is just a nut for a bigger boat. Personally I will be fishing by myself most of the time or with the wife who doesn't lure fish at all. If the grandsons go out with me they are so young it's not a factor. Hell I won't fish at all with them around anyway I'm sure.

I originally wanted an 18+ ft. boat...just my bud talked me into looking at bigger if I wasn't buying his.

Thanks for the input. I have heard nothing but great things about Tritons and that's what he was going to buy but it fell thru.

Thanks again...

RedTop

[Jdaddy]

So, any news? new boat pictures maybe, 

[RedTop]

So, any news? new boat pictures maybe, 

Workin on it...

[RedTop]

Well I finally got this today.....2001 TR186...Im excited....Look out Fork!!!!  RedTop's comin to get ya

[BassBUFF]

Sweet. Congrats!

[Hardcore]

Congrats..

[Donald Garner]

Nice looking ride there.
Congrats on picking it up.