Triton 189

[infishman]

Just learned about this board and thought I'd ask for some advice. I am looking at buying a new 2001 Triton 189 DC. Price seems good at $28,000 w/ 150 Merc Optimax, dual axle retractable trailer and pretty good price on my trade-in. Now my question - other 189 owners - how do you rate this boat for fishability, dryness, speed, etc?? I am possibly considering a Ranger 681 as I have fished out of this model many times and it's fishability is great. Just want some opinions and am certainly not looking to start anything between Ranger vs, Triton owners. ANY help, opinions, etc. would be appreciated. Thanks

[Phil]

Don't get a 150. The new 2002 with a 200 is worth the extra money.I own a 189 with a 175 Evinrude.Top speed with a 3 blade viper is 58 with one guy and the gas gauge on empty. This is "real" speed not a guess. If you have to have the boat make sure you go with a high five prop. The hole shot is terrible even with a CMC jackplate.

[Tom P]

Phil, That hi-five must be killing your top speed. Have you tried a Trophy reworked by John at DAH propellers. I think you would get your holeshot and the speed. I would take on a boat with a hi-five any day with my reworked Trophy. A stock, out of the box Trophy has been a problem to many people with ventilation on holeshot, even with all holes plugged. If you would think of trying one ,it should be one that has been reworked by a pro to get the most out of that prop.

[infishman]

I thought he said he is using Viper prop, not high five. Again, the question is regarding the 189. Still looking for info.

[Stan]

Wait and buy the 2002 with the new hull. Big improvements!

[Tom P]

Oops, your right. Still good Trophy info though.

[Tom]

infishman,

Your dealer can get you a new tag for 200hp on the 2001 Triton 189.
The 150 optimax is going to be light for the 189. The efi engine seems to be stronger out of the hole than the optimax. We have sold a few 189's with 150efi's. and our customers wished they had gone with the 175. Remember when buying this type of boat more horse power is always better.
Tom @ riverside marine

[infishman]

What are big improvements in 2002 hull?? Also, if I go with the 2002 year model, should I go with 200 HP engine or will 175 be sufficient?

[infishman]

Tom @ Riverside: Would waiting for 2002 Model be worth the extra price? Would I get comparable performance (overall) from 2001 Model or are changes to the 2002 Model significant enough to wait? Does your marina have a website, or more importantly, a phone # or your e-mail, if you are a Triton Dealer? Thanks.

[Tom]

Infishman,

We are a Triton dealer located in New London Wisconsin and also a sponsor of this board. We have two 189's on the showroom floor, one 2001 and a 2002. Give us a call at 920-982-4874 and we will be glad to help you anyway we can.
Tom @ riverside marine
www.riversidemarine.biz

[Cory]

Purchased my first Triton 189 this summer from Riverside Marine in New London. They are very customer oriented and caring. When it comes to rigging their is nobody better. Boyd and Paul have excellent ideas. They are careful, clean and really make things look finished. A very professional and down to earth group of people. I think you will enjoy working with them. Enjoy the new Triton.

As for the motor, I would not go with anything less than the 175.
As for the ride, very dry.

Cory

[Greg K.]

I also have worked with Riverside Marine in New London when I was rigging my Triton 205. They are VERY CUSTOMER oriented and if I was to buy a another new Triton it would be through Riverside. Like in the previous email Boyd and Paul have excellent ideas and they are willing to take the time to explain everything. Riverside has gone beyond all expectations of a boat dealer and has always been fair. When you work with Riverside it is like working with one big happy family.

After owning a Alumacraft and Warrior, I own the boat of my dreams a Triton 205. Love the ride and boat layout.

For the motor, I would max the horsepower for the boat.

Greg K.

[bobb]

Tom i drove 73 miles yesterday 12-28-01 to riverside marina in New London and it was locked up tight. Do you have certain hours? I was there at 12:30 PM whats up!!!!!

[WalleyeWiz11]

Infishman,
D& R Sport Center in Michigan has 4 189 2002 model with a 2001 175 Merc EFI on it . They are selling them for 25,995 . Might want to call to check them out . 1 800 992 1520

[bobb]

Walleye what city is the triton dealer in mich. thx. bobb ?

[Phil]

Tom P
In response to your comment, my personal experience with props
has been that you are never going to get a great holeshot and get
close to the 60 miles per hour mark. I ran 6 props before I decided
on the Viper 3 blade. I mostly fish for musky with 2 people and
empty livewells. This prop offers good hole shot and 58 mph.
I do some walleye fishing on Winnebago and surrounding areas, so
the high five works great for gripping 3'or 4' waves. Most of the time we take 3 or 4 guys and generally both livewells are full. The high five jumps up on plane and helps keep the bow up, top speed
is a only 52 but comfortable.
The guy that started this thread was tring to save some money, so
I didn't think blue printing a prop was in the buget.
If you go with the 2002 model with a 200 horse all this talk is for nothing. The new hull design with a smaller pad will be sweet.

[Phil]

I almost forgot to plug Riverside Marine in New London. There whole
staff is awesome, espically Tom. When you call or stop in make sure you avoid talking to doc. If he fished as good as he talked he would
win every touney around. I have to wear hip boots when he is around.
Seriously, the guys try very hard to satisfy the customer.

[skr]

Bobb, D and R sport is in Kalamazoo MI. If its the boat I looked at, its a walk through, but they may have gotten more in. One sweet boat IMHO.

[Craig]

As a Ranger 681 owner I'm flattered you'd compare it to a Triton 189. But, Infishman you're comparing apples to oranges. The Triton you're talking about is considerably longer, wider and rated for a much bigger motor. A 681 would be much less expensive as well. A 619 or even a 617 would be a more equitable comparison.

I agree the 681 has excellent fishability. I have never fished a Triton 189 but I have looked at them and think I could learn to live with it real quick, like a matter of a few seconds. It's a real nice boat.

I'm very happy with my 681. I've fished it for 3 seasons now. I can tell you the 681 is built very solid. It's as if they carved it out of the solid, not built it. It just doesn't flex at all even at speed in rough water. For its size it has a lot of storage space and fits nicely in my garage.

If you have any more questions about the 681 you'd like to ask you can e-mail me at xctycoach@home.com.

[rngrfshm]

I agree with Craig as I too have a Ranger 681 and really enjoy it. I fished out of a Triton and are also very nice boats as well. I ended up going with the Ranger and is very solid built boat. Enjoy either one, they are both good brands.

[Husky]

If memory serves me corectly,D&R is in Kalamazoo, MI

[Not lookin for a fight]

Hey there. Can some of you Triton staffer types answer or shoot down this rumor? I was told, 2 times now that Triton is gonna stop makin the walleye boats. I usually toss these types of rumors out the window, but one guy who told me this is also the same guy that told me about Champion going under, 4 months before papers were filed.

[Craig]

I'm a Ranger owner and absolutely, positively, totally convinced I am the smartest boat buyer in the history of the known universe, not to mention the most open-minded, but I sure hope you're wrong about Triton getting out of walleye boats.

I believe very strongly in competition. While competition sometimes gets destructive it tends to improve stuff in the long run. If Triton's not around I not only lose friends I can give a good natured ribbing to once in a while we may all lose the prospect of getting the very best boat our money can buy if we don't have that competition.

While I couldn't think more of a boat than my baby (Ranger 681VS) I think the idea that you have tin vs. glass and dozens of competitors in each of those areas a biting, kicking, and scratching is good for everybody, even the guys doing the fighting.

Besides, this would be a darn dull board if we didn't have something to argue about.

[Adman]

Howdy Craig,

Am I to get the message that you kinda like your Ranger? LOL!!

Well put though. It is nice to see someone can truly love their boat and realize the qualities in another and respect an anglers choice to own it.

Happy New Year.........R