Triton 18 Explorer HP vs. Nitro Z-7

[TnSabre]

First off let me say I do not want this to turn into a brand bashing thread. Having said that, here is the situation. I have a friend that is looking at these 2 boats and would like to hear some feedback on both boats and which sounds like the better deal. I have never fished out of either boat so I can't help him out much here on comparing the 2 boats. My thinking is that the Nitro is the better deal, but like I said, I do not know much about either boat. Here are a few details about each boat:
BOTH BOATS ARE BRAND NEW

2009 Triton Explorer 18 HP
Mercury 150 EFI
70 lb thrust t-motor
Hydrolic steering
No jackplate
No hotfoot
Around 21,000 asking price (3 yr motor waranty)

2012 Nitro Z-7
Mercury 150 Optimax
70 lb thrust t-motor
Hydrolic steering
No jackplate
No hotfoot
Around 25,000 (6 yr motor waranty)




Modified by TnSabre at 10:40 AM 1/17/2012

[rooster tail]

looks like your paying for the extra 3 yr warranty
big time.
Who has better customer service?

[rooster tail]

ok i see one is 2012 new and the other 09 new.

[TnSabre]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by rooster tail &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">ok i see one is 2012 new and the other 09 new.</td></tr></table>
Correct! The 09 Triton has never been sold and I would think they would be able to do a little better on the price then what they are, especially with it having an EFI motor instead of the Optimax. This is the reason I am leaning toward the Nitro being the better deal. Customer service is a washout between the 2 boats as they are both local dealers and decent customer service.

[tanker4lyfe]

I would take the Z7 and that coming from a triton guy, heres why:
-6 yrs VS. 3 yrs Warranty
- Opti is a huge difference over the EFI when it comes to fuel/oil use, and that alone will pay off in the end

[theBaitBar]

I think the newer Z7. Hard to resell a boat that already is 3 years old.

[billius]

I would buy the Nitro. No matter if the 2009 Triton is new. It's still a 3 year old boat as soon as he walks out the door. The Z-7 has more warranty and it has an Opti, better fuel mileage. From what I have seen, the Z-7 is a nice rig too.

[menoceros]

I would take the Z-7. A better comparison would be if the Triton was a 186 which would be closer to the Z-7. The explorer is a no-frills stripped down entry level unit. The way it sits now is not really comparable to the Z-7

[JeffA]

Z7.

[croix-man]

The Triton has a little less floor space, is lighter , faster. The Z-7 gives you more room and current year model. If the Triton could be had for $18g it would be my pick. But than again if I had $25g to spend the 2012 Skeeter TZX 190 with 150 HPDI over on the forsale page would be my first choice.

[LexIS307]

z7

[gofish42189]

Z7 no question

[dchance]

Z7. I have one and it is nice. Like said earlier: 3 yr old boat regardless, EFI vs Opti, and 6yr vs 3yr Warranty. Another thing to think about is what will the costs be after adding wanted features. I assume on both these boats they are both standard equipment by looking at the prices??

[Gambler Bob]

Z7 by far on this deal.

[Jason Phillips]

Z7

[gcopple]

z7 for for sure.

when you drive the triton off the lot it is a 3 year old boat, doesn't matter if it is "new" or not, resale will be based on the year the boat is and definately since it isn't an opti on it.

[Young Gun]

Ive been in both and from a fishing standpint i liked the z7 layout better. The triton was to narrow. But both are good boats

[csurp]

Make sure he checks out the trailers too. I think brakes were a special order on the Explorer series. Not sure about the Nitro

[jjtriton]

Check around and you can find a 2011 or 2012 18Explorer with a 150opti for close to the same price as the Z7. Make sure both boats include hydraulic steering.

[taeheel2az]

The Opti will get almost half again better mileage than the EFI and will use considerably less oil.