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  1. #1
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    Oct 2019
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    Cheney, WA
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    189TRX/18 TRX Big Water

    So I was running the Columbia River near Tri-Cities this weekend with my 189. Running 3-4 footers and was surprised by how dry a ride this 18 footer gave me. My only complaint would be that it’s run leaning towards the driver side. So half the time it would slap the side of the boat instead of using the keel. Anyone else have this? It’s not like a small lean, it’s overly noticeable to where I have to steer to correct it.

  2. Member
    Join Date
    May 2018
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    Limestone, TN
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    #2
    Don’t know that it’s anything specific to the boat as every boat I have ever ran leaned to the right with just me in the boat. I try to put as much weight on the passenger side as possible to balance it out.
    2022 Phoenix 919 Pro XP
    2022 Mercury 225 4s 3B133405

  3. Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
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    Mobile, Alabama
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    6,551
    #3
    My 18 TRX will lean to right when by myself and not trimmed up and/or running say 40 mph or more. I have dual live wells and can put water in the passenger side live well for ballast and stop the lean.
    2020 Triton 18 TRX
    Tournament Fishing Package
    2020 Mercury 200 Pro XS V8 Serial # 2B588923
    Minn Kota Ultrex 80# I Pilot Link
    Hi Jacker EZ 6" Jack Plate
    Bravo 1 FS 24 Pitch Prop
    Humminbird Helix 7 SI GPS CHIRP G2 Bow
    Humminbird Helix 7 CHIRP MEGA GPS DI G3 Console
    Trick Step Boarding Steps
    RMP Engine Support

  4. Member
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    Mar 2015
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    OK
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    #4
    Mine does slightly until I get up on plane, I just have all my gear balanced out since I mostly fish solo, so it’s really not a problem for me. I would say just balance your boat out with gear should solve the problem.
    Last edited by itsahog; 09-08-2020 at 04:13 PM.

  5. Member
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    Oct 2018
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    WR GA
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    #5
    Yea. This a VERY big 18’ boat

  6. Banned
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Unionville, NC
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    8,911
    #6
    Mine also has the gansta lean at low speed.

    I just deal with it. I'm not moving all my stuff around every time I fish alone or with someone.

  7. Member greenheadz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    368
    #7
    I notice it as well but I have also noticed it on my Cougar I used to have. Once you get it trimmed up a little they level out quickly. I have never adjusted tackle for something like this because it fixes itself pretty easy.
    Triton 18xs w/150 Pro XS
    Ultrex 80lb.
    LIVE 12's
    LIVE 9
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    ACTIVE TARGET
    IONIC 125Ah


  8. Member
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    Sep 2019
    Location
    North Carolina
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    199
    #8
    Trimmed all the way down it'll definitely lean. Really gotta get going 30+ and trim up to get rid of it, which would be understandably sketchy in 3-4 ft water.
    2020 Triton TRX189 B B W
    Mercury ProXS 150 I B O
    Garmin EchoMAP Plus (2x) G A L
    Toyota 4Runner D F

  9. Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Location
    Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
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    346
    #9
    Mine does't lean at all. I'm a really little guy though and my TM batts are on the opposite side of the boat so between me and them it evens out nicely.
    Triton 180DC---150hp Yamaha Vmax HPDI---Bobs 6" Hydro Plate---24 Tempest Plus---Ultrex---Lowrance Carbons

  10. Member
    Join Date
    May 2009
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    #10
    I purposely store my heaviest tackle on the port rear storage compartment and also added some heavier gear/tackle to the middle storage compartment. Greatly helped the handling and boat lean on my 18x2, which from what I know isn’t terribly different than a 18trx or 189trx.
    2022 Ranger z518 / 2022 Merc Pro XS 200 serial # 3B137559

  11. Member
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    Dec 2019
    Location
    Washington
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    #11
    I havnt’t had my 18x2 in big water yet. Picked it up this year. How does yours do, Bman?

  12. Member
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    May 2009
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    #12
    Quote Originally Posted by weinbea View Post
    I havnt’t had my 18x2 in big water yet. Picked it up this year. How does yours do, Bman?
    extremely well for a smaller bass boat. This hull design is deeper than traditional bass boats and helps handle big water much better than other 18 footers. Definitely drier. My buddy has an older Ranger 19’ and recently has ridden in a new Z518 and he thinks my boat has a better and drier ride.

    Ive fished in nutty water on KY Lake and Lake St Clair and it’s handled it. There was one day on LSC I went to the lake and turned back up river because it would have been stupid for me to try running on the lake (and also for just about any bass boat.). It’s still an 18’ bass boat so you aren’t going to run 60 mph on the top of 2-3’ waves but you can run a bumpy yet safe 30-35 with it. Took me a little while to figure out my setup but it fishes great and definitely bigger than most 18’ boats.
    2022 Ranger z518 / 2022 Merc Pro XS 200 serial # 3B137559

  13. Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Schenectady, NY
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    1,943
    #13
    Mine rides great and lots bigger feeling than any other 18 footer i have been in. Wake boat waves are a different story haha. Mine leans too