Sneak peak at Triton's new 216 Fishunter

[stevoid]

Originally Posted by eyeboom

I'm very interested in the "new" layout. The 215 was designed as a tournament boat and setup for a 250 outboard. After prodding by Smoked Chub, they increased the hp rating to 300. I equipped mine with a 300 Vrod, 5" BMS hydro jack plate and 3 custom props. With 2 people in the boat (Rev4 21p), performance is amazing. Add a 3rd person (Rev 4 19p) and I start to get some porpoising at slower speeds. Go to 4 people (Rev 4 19p), and the porpoising is a real pain in the *ss at slow-midrange speeds. If the conditions allow, the boat runs great at wot with 3 and 4 people and a FULL load.
Wondering about the following in the new model:

-Is the console moved forward?
-Shrink rear storage compartments for more rear room?
-Increase rear flotation to accommodate heavier motors?

I'll talk to John at DAH regarding the porpoising, may add trim tabs (John hates them) or look at buying the new Triton (if the changes work out) or look at a 621 Ranger. The 215 hull design is what sold me on the boat.

Please post when you find out more information!!

Thanks,
Boomer

Boomer and RPR,
I had severe problems with porpoising with my 2008 Triton 215x when I first got the boat. I had severe bow rise and couldn't use my trim at all. I have a Suzuki DF300 and DF9.9 HT kicker.
The problem is that most boats like this have insufficent transom angle. They will run well with a lightly loaded and rigged boat. But add a heavy primary motor, kicker, extra battery, full live well, downriggers, extra passengers and you have a problem.
I know of Triton 215X owners that have tried all kinds of expensive solutions including trim tabs and modifying the shape of the hull (those flares/scoops) in the bottom back of the boat. But the solution is simple. I'm glad I had a local guy who knew what to do. He added a 5 degree Panther transom wedge (model 420). Now the transom angle is correct for my heavily loaded boat. The engine is nicely tucked under the hull and I have great hole shot without bow rise - the boat literally just lifts out of the water as if it were being pulled from above. And I can use my trim. At 40 mph I have it trimmed about 50% or so.
By the way, the only prop that worked well for my boat (I tried many high tech ones including Rev4 and Enertia, etc) is the PowerTech OFS4, 20" pitch). This prop was the best for fuel efficiency at a wide range of speeds, with no cavitation. It feels like the boat is locked on a track. Mike at Prop Sales and Repair in Brainerd sells them and was great to deal with at 218-829-9168.
One more thing, I am not an expert, but I think a jack plate will make porpoising worse because of the longer lever arm the motor has to work against to control the boat. Try replacing your jack plate with the Panther transom wedge.
Let me know how it works out for you.
Stevoid

[hempbake1]

Interesting Stevoid, so you mounted it for negative trim right? Looked at those, yours is mounted with the fat end at the top? Got any pics?

[hempbake1]

Also what hole is your mounted in?

[stevoid]

Originally Posted by hempbake1

Also what hole is your mounted in?

Hempbake1,
I could send you a picture if you give me an email. I could put it on the thread if I knew how. Yes, I have the transom wedge set for negative trim with the thick part of the wedge on top. Not sure what hole it is off the top of my head but I will look.
Steve

[oldschooltiller]

Originally Posted by stevoid

Hempbake1,
I could send you a picture if you give me an email. I could put it on the thread if I knew how.
Steve

When you hit reply look at the top of the box you type in there is a big A, and white smiley face, and then just to the right of that a paperclip. Click that, and then you can attach photos from your computer.

[stevoid]

Oldschooltiller,
Thanks, I see it now - that's easy. I'll post a picture.
Steve

A friend of mine has an 08 Triton 215 with a 250 suzuki and the 9.9 kicker and the boat doesn't have any of the problems your talking about. He loves the boat and it performs great. The boat is set up with a 36volt system and is loaded to the gills with equipment. Hard to believe that 300 would make the boat perform that much different then the 250.

[rpr]

Stevoid: Thanks for the info.

I altready have a 3" setback plate on mine (with a 5.5" CMC hydraulic jackplate). I needed the setback plate so the hydraulkic lines would clear the transom when tilted up.

I think it may actually be a 5 degree wedge...I will check.

[stevoid]

Originally Posted by unlogged guest

A friend of mine has an 08 Triton 215 with a 250 suzuki and the 9.9 kicker and the boat doesn't have any of the problems your talking about. He loves the boat and it performs great. The boat is set up with a 36volt system and is loaded to the gills with equipment. Hard to believe that 300 would make the boat perform that much different then the 250.

Interesting, I'm glad his rig works well for him. All three 215X owners that I know of in my city have all had the problems I mentioned. What is his top speed and what kind of prop at what pitch does he use? Thanks.

[stevoid]

Originally Posted by stevoid

Hempbake1,
I could send you a picture if you give me an email. I could put it on the thread if I knew how. Yes, I have the transom wedge set for negative trim with the thick part of the wedge on top. Not sure what hole it is off the top of my head but I will look.
Steve

Hempbake1 et. al.,
Here are the pictures of my setup. Also, I stole the idea from Ranger and ordered their transom bolt bracket that you can use to attach a boat buckle. That way you don't need a metal ratchet (scratching your rig) attached to your boat cover strap.
Also, for anyone interested I included a picture of my kicker which has a TR1-Gold Autopilot. It totally solves the problem of boat control. I can forward or backtroll with the kicker and control it with the cable remote from the helm or with the keyfob wireless remote. It's great, the captain gets to fish too. You can help people with their lines, net fish, run downriggers, etc, and the boat keeps fishing. The autopilot takes signals from the Lowrance HDS-10 units from the NMEA 0183 outputs so you can troll to waypoints or routes. I frequently attach a driftsock to the front of the boat and backtroll. This gives such precise control that you can have four guys fishing with 1/4 oz jigs in 30' depths in 3' waves and everyone can feel the bottom. Get a snag? No problem, just hit idle on the remote and the rig moves back to where the snag is and pull it off. It also trolls a jig/zag pattern when using down riggers or planer boards. If anyone is interested in how to set this up let me know.
FYI,
Steve