Triton pad - balancing act

[itsahog]

This is a good picture explaining what your working with. I am still learning to drive mine, Better than I was but still not 2nd nature. Not much area to work with.

58548D39-C072-441E-B62B-9BF8270C1F77.jpeg

[eastenfish]

Yep it's a balancing act no doubt. Got mine up to 71.0mph this week. Best so far. My buddy (who has a Bullet) got it to 74mph. I still need some seat time.

[bman5150]

It is for sure. Took me two seasons before I knew how to drive my boat with the 175. It’s definitely not a “point and steer” hull with the pedal to the metal. Mine requires pretty constant steering correction at 60+. That’s ok with me. Strong runner at 62-64 mph with the 175 and a heavy load.

[BassCatBrad]

My old TR196 with a 200hp would walk bad at 70mph but I learned how to counter it. Then I bought a Skeeter, it wasn't as fast but it was the smoothest boat I every drove, not waking at all. It was sort of boring. Then I bought my current BassCat PII. It walks a tad worse then my TR196, but all the years of driving the Triton came back to me, I can get the PII up to 71 to 72mph and counter the walking pretty good.

[TritonTRXV8]

Def a hull that needs alot of driver input. I had to learn to drive mine but now that I know its likes and dislikes i really like how it drives.

[DaveTTN]

When I first got mine the motor was way too low and it was a hand full. Once I found the prop to pad sweet spot around 2.75-2.5” it is very easy to drive.

[Murph44]

When I first got mine the motor was way too low and it was a hand full. Once I found the prop to pad sweet spot around 2.75-2.5” it is very easy to drive.

that about where mine is at....with my 20 trx

[itsahog]

When I first got mine the motor was way too low and it was a hand full. Once I found the prop to pad sweet spot around 2.75-2.5” it is very easy to drive.

Other than water pressure, is there any disadvantage to having the prop too high? I guess prop slippage which I felt a little bit out of the hole at 2.25 inches. I probably need to lower mine another quarter inch. I’m mostly interested in making it the easiest to drive, not so much the extra mile per hour top end.

[eastenfish]

that about where mine is at....with my 20 trx

What prop you running? If I get higher than 3" with my 25 fury I loose top end and it revs too high on hole shot.

[eastenfish]

Other than water pressure, is there any disadvantage to having the prop too high? I guess prop slippage which I felt a little bit out of the hole at 2.25 inches. I probably need to lower mine another quarter inch.

On my TR-186 with 23 Tempest I ran it as high as I could without dropping water pressure.

[Tx 201]

On my TR-186 with 23 Tempest I ran it as high as I could without dropping water pressure.

What are your proper to pad measurements on the current boat? I just acquired a 2016 Trx Elite and at 66-67 it drives pretty good, but that is top end. If I bump the trim just a touch more she starts moving around like a pole dancer! Am told this should be a lower to mid 70’s boat. Several experienced triton owners can’t break 67 without it getting way too loose.

[DaveTTN]

I just keep going up until I lose water pressure below 18psi at wide open or lose speed. Also if you run too high there is a risk of prop blowout and hooking on a sharp turn.

My rooster tail with the 23 tempest is motor high at wide open and trimmed almost all the way up. The 22 tempest at the same height doesn’t throw the same rooster tail it barely has one at all old thumb rule is if you are throwing one above the motor you’re too high or over trimmed.

[eastenfish]

What are your proper to pad measurements on the current boat? I just acquired a 2016 Trx Elite and at 66-67 it drives pretty good, but that is top end. If I bump the trim just a touch more she starts moving around like a pole dancer! Am told this should be a lower to mid 70’s boat. Several experienced triton owners can’t break 67 without it getting way too loose.

My new to me 2017 21TRX elite will run 73.8 max so far. I'm still dialing it in. That is with 25 fury 3. 3.25 below the pad.

[ChuckTR21]

Former TR-21 owner and I’d say seat time and not giving up are what gets you to where you can drive one. For me, it was a skill that once I learned it, it seems to apply across any boat. The Stratos/intruder 150 combo I had before the Triton was the wildest ride I’ve ever been in. But, once I got enough seat time to master it, the Triton was no issue.

[Landar]

I’ve had four different Tritons and felt they were all pretty easy to drive. I guess it just becomes second nature.

[G-man47]

Enjoyed your comments on your boat and motor. I have a 2008 Triton 18x2 and will be getting a new 175 4 stroke Proxs. I’m not sure what size prop will be, they will decide that when I take them my boat. Was wondering what size prop you have. I was hoping for 60 mph but happy to see you got more. Also wondering about gas mileage and can you tell the difference in a 4 stroke. Thanks

[eastenfish]

Enjoyed your comments on your boat and motor. I have a 2008 Triton 18x2 and will be getting a new 175 4 stroke Proxs. I’m not sure what size prop will be, they will decide that when I take them my boat. Was wondering what size prop you have. I was hoping for 60 mph but happy to see you got more. Also wondering about gas mileage and can you tell the difference in a 4 stroke. Thanks

You should hit 60 easy with a 23 or 24 tempest. I can hit 60 in my 2008 TR-186 with a 150.

[Bobs21X]

Randy Howell is running a four blade in the big air picture. I believe it was also up North in the big water lakes.
Just keep the water pressure happy and experiment. You will find the one.

[Murph44]

Running a 25 fury ... all vent plugs open ..

[Murph44]

You should hit 60 easy with a 23 or 24 tempest. I can hit 60 in my 2008 TR-186 with a 150.

was doing 63 give or take with my 2013 18se with 175 Merc..