Opinions on upgrade from TR-19 to TR-20

[J Smithers]

Hey guys - I've got a TR-19 with a 150 Merc and I absolutely love the boat. I got a really good deal on it last year and the boat has been almost perfect. Now I've got a friend that is getting ready to buy a brand new Triton and he is going to sell his TR-20 with a 200 Merc and I'm thinking about buying it. The only reason I'm hesitant to buy the boat is I've just put about $1k into my boat to redo the seats, replace wire harness and add LED lights and diamond plate to the trailer and give the motor its 100 hr service. Both boats are the same year (2000) and the color schemes are very similar. The other thing that makes me nervous is he never uses the boat so I don't know what kind of issues the motor has. This guy has only used his boat a handful of times in the last two years. I'm leaning towards just keeping mine because everything is in perfect condition and I really love the boat. With the 20' I will gain a little deckspace and about 7-8 mph top speed. What would you do?

[ohbass4me]

Sounds like you answered your own question to me... I love my boat.
I would keep the boat I love.

[Bub]

The grass always seems greener! If it were me, I would keep that boat I love and have put some money into since I already know everything wrong (and right) with the boat. You could open a bag of worms and really be mad at yourself. One foot of space and a few MPH just isn't worth it to me. Besides, you will get better gas mileage in your TR-19 with the 150! You also have to ask yourself;

self, will I catch more fish with the TR-20?

[SkidMark]

Speed ain't worth the wallet buster if his is not mechanically sound. That said...the bigger boat/motor can cruise at 50 sipping gas where the 19 w/150 will be tach'n alot higher at 50. I rather have peace of mind.

[ragin_cajun92]

Keep the tr19. My buddy has a 2000 tr20 that we fish out of alot and its a nice boat and fishes well, that said i like my tr19 better.. It fits me better and even though he has the 200 on his we are always neck and neck to the fishing hole..Its your call just think it threw

[HeavyDee20]

I would make the upgrade to the Tr20...if you know you can sell your Tr19 at a profit or break even for the improvements you got into it...Do you know you would be getting a great deal on the Tr20? The Tr20 will fish and ride better on bigger water. The Tr20 may have a tandem trailer as well. Is it a 150 XR6 vs a 200 Merc EFI/Optimax? Both engines would be better on gas than your XR6. A rarely used engine isn't a bad thing, low hours could be to your advantage if the engine checks out by your local mechanic.

[J Smithers]

I'm just really torn on the decision. Both motors are Merc EFI. I know he's had a few minor issues with his and I have had no issues with my motor. I'm also pretty sure I can pick up the 20 for a pretty good deal. I got an excellent deal on my 19 and I could make a decent profit selling it but I just don't think the extra $1k I've put into my boat in the last 3 weeks will add more than $200 - $300 to the value of my boat. I guess I'm just gonna keep playing devil's advocate with myself before I do anything but man this is driving me crazy!

[SkidMark]

ok...devils advocate....add a jackplate if you do not already have one...and do some mild motor upgrades. I have a bud of mine that has a TR186, with a 150 XR6, a little warmed up he says...and that boat will scoot into the low 70's...It is a mid 2000 make is all I can say..but know the guy and know his boat as far as I could not catch it. BTW..I have a 2001 TR19 with a 200 Merc EFI. It is the 2.5 so on this hull...it has no balls to get outta the hole. It maybe the same on that TR20. if it is the 3.0 it maybe better. Sometimes what ya got is better than what he's got.

[Cabela10]

Why does that TR20 have a 200Merc on it and not a 225 minimum?

[Brian Craft]

It has a 200hp rating. In 2001 or 02 they where true 20 footers and rated for a 225.