Triton Tr18 or Tr186?

[Jbunkley]

Whos running a late 90's to early 2000 Tr18 or Tr186 with a newer 150 mercury 4 stroke? Would like to see your setups and numbers. I have a 98 Tr18 with a 2024 150 Pro xs running a 23 Tempest plus 8" Jackplate. Turning 6 grand at only 58-59 mph. Was running 65-66 mph @ 5700 rpm with the old 150 mariner efi. Only thing I like about the 4 stroke is the fuel mileage other than that they are weak motors.

[jrh_67]

Those numbers are good for that motor. I've got a 2005 TR-186 with a new Pro XS 150 and can only get 55 wot at 6,00rpm turning a 21p Tempest plus. My old XR6 would get almost 60.

[Jbunkley]

Those numbers are good for that motor. I've got a 2005 TR-186 with a new Pro XS 150 and can only get 55 wot at 6,00rpm turning a 21p Tempest plus. My old XR6 would get almost 60.

Im having a hard time understanding this 4 stroke. I use to have a 2001 Tr186 with a Mercury 150 XR6, 6 inch jackplate and was turning a 25P Tempest plus getting 65-66. Now I have a 1998 Tr18 and with the old 150 Mariner 150 efi, 10" jackplate and a 23P Tempest i was running 65-66 @ 5700 Rpm. Now with the new 150 Pro xs Im turning the same 23P tempest @ 5900 rpms 58-59 mph. I just installed some 2 degree wedges on Monday now I'm turning over 6 grand @ 61 mph. Bow lift is amazing now. I would think if I have the same horsepower and close to the same gear ratio and turning more rpms than the 2 stroke it should run faster but it's not. I just got my hands on a 23P Fury 3 blade so I'm gonna try it and see if its any better

[ford4wd08]

Im having a hard time understanding this 4 stroke. I use to have a 2001 Tr186 with a Mercury 150 XR6, 6 inch jackplate and was turning a 25P Tempest plus getting 65-66. Now I have a 1998 Tr18 and with the old 150 Mariner 150 efi, 10" jackplate and a 23P Tempest i was running 65-66 @ 5700 Rpm. Now with the new 150 Pro xs Im turning the same 23P tempest @ 5900 rpms 58-59 mph. I just installed some 2 degree wedges on Monday now I'm turning over 6 grand @ 61 mph. Bow lift is amazing now. I would think if I have the same horsepower and close to the same gear ratio and turning more rpms than the 2 stroke it should run faster but it's not. I just got my hands on a 23P Fury 3 blade so I'm gonna try it and see if its any better

The 4 stroke is definitely heavier than the 2 stroke was. 10 inch plate seems like a lot on a 18 ft boat. I'm not as familiar with the older hulls, but Triton warranty won't allow over a 6" plate on the 189TRX/18TRX hulls now.

Have you compared the lower unit ratios? Seems like the 150 pro xs was like 2.08:1 or something similar if I remember right. I'm betting the mariner was more like 1.87:1.

[Lightning 6]

Mariner has 2.00:1 gear ratio & new 150 4s is 2.08:1.

Prop slip calculator shows 61-62 as top speed for either combination.

Recommend you only use digital rpm & gos speedo for set up….analog tach & speedo are never accurate.

[Jbunkley]

Mariner has 2.00:1 gear ratio & new 150 4s is 2.08:1.

Prop slip calculator shows 61-62 as top speed for either combination.

Recommend you only use digital rpm & gos speedo for set up….analog tach & speedo are never accurate.

You are correct on the gear ratio. I have the mercury vessel view mobile on a 10" tablet

[fly by night]

I concur that the 10" jackplate might be too much for that size boat.

The 4 stroke is definitely heavier than the 2 stroke was. 10 inch plate seems like a lot on a 18 ft boat. I'm not as familiar with the older hulls, but Triton warranty won't allow over a 6" plate on the 189TRX/18TRX hulls now.

Have you compared the lower unit ratios? Seems like the 150 pro xs was like 2.08:1 or something similar if I remember right. I'm betting the mariner was more like 1.87:1.

[Jbunkley]

I concur that the 10" jackplate might be too much for that size boat.

It was on the boat when I bought it. My 2001 Tr186 had a 6" plate and would run circles around this Tr18. What is the disadvantages of having to big of a Jack plate?Because I really don't know

[Lightning 6]

That 10” plate us a lot of weight on the transom of a boat that was never designed for that kind of weight. Earl didn’t design that hull for 10” plates, 4 strokes, power poles, etc.

Not sure if you changed anything else….but just the heavier 4S altered the center of buoyancy and that can really affect some hulls.

For an example….I added 8’ talons & they killed my holeshot…..horrible loss of performance. Added a chris bailey foil and switched to ppoles & it performs better than ever.

[Jbunkley]

That 10” plate us a lot of weight on the transom of a boat that was never designed for that kind of weight. Earl didn’t design that hull for 10” plates, 4 strokes, power poles, etc.

Not sure if you changed anything else….but just the heavier 4S altered the center of buoyancy and that can really affect some hulls.

For an example….I added 8’ talons & they killed my holeshot…..horrible loss of performance. Added a chris bailey foil and switched to ppoles & it performs better than ever.

So the 4 stroke weighs almost 100 lbs more than the 2 stroke i had but I changed out the lead batteries with lithium so in my opinion offset each other. A buddy of mine has a 6" Jack plate that I'm picking up tomorrow. Will let yall know what the numbers are when I get it installed and setup . Thank yall

[PatriotAW4]

The XR6 and EFI 2 strokes were considerably more powerful than the 150 4 strokes are, going from lead acid to lithium batteries will cost you 2-3 MPH on the top end as well.

[Lightning 6]

Battery & engine swap might offset each other in weight…..but not in the same position. You moved the weight further aft….which may very well affect performance…..and likely requires at least a change in PTP.

[Jbunkley]

Battery & engine swap might offset each other in weight…..but not in the same position. You moved the weight further aft….which may very well affect performance…..and likely requires at least a change in PTP.

Im hoping the Jackplate swap will improve it. If i can get back to at least 62-63 I'll be happy.

[dwtaylor]

I know you have a triton, but rick pierce from bass cat boats has a lot of good content in describing boat setup/weight that may pertain to you.

Tim Powell at fastbass marine could also give you some pointers as he has some experience with setup on older hulls with newer 4 strokes.

[Jbunkley]

I know you have a triton, but rick pierce from bass cat boats has a lot of good content in describing boat setup/weight that may pertain to you.

Tim Powell at fastbass marine could also give you some pointers as he has some experience with setup on older hulls with newer 4 strokes.

Thank u very much. I'll check them out