Opinions on Triton vs Nitro

[NJDevil]

I posted this in the Nitro forum and got a lot of good information from the Nitro owners, so now I'm looking for the other side of the story from Triton owners. I'm just gonna copy/paste my post and make some modifications to get the same basic questions answered from the Triton owners.

Feel free to check the replies in the Nitro forum if you'd like, but please refrain from arguing about any of the comments made by Nitro owners in that thread. Post your opinions here instead. I don't want to stir the pot between owners of different boats. I'm only here for the info.

Here's my post:
------------------

Hey everyone,

I'm considering ordering a new boat in the near future, and I've narrowed my selection down to Nitro Z-8 or Triton TR19SE. There are a few things that I'm unsure of when comparing the boats, so I'd like input from those of you who own a Triton. In no particular order, here they are:

1. Nitro claims 66-68mph with a 200hp Optimax on a Z-8. Is this accurate? Seems awfully high considering the weight and length of the boat (20'2" boat). I'm not the kinda guy who needs to get over 70mph to be happy, but I'd be upset if I bought the boat with a 200 and could only get low 60's out of it. Anyone have any real world experience with a TR19SE w/ an Optimax 200 on it instead of a 225?

2. Storage space: Triton has HUGE storage (especially the rear ones). But it seems like the rod boxes are larger on the Nitro. How do you feel about the amount of rod storage you've got on each side?

3. One of my favorite convenience features on the Triton is the in-deck tool and measuring board holders just in front of the console. Do you guys find these as useful in practice as they are in theory? Also, what length measuring board will fit in there?

4. Both boats offer a tackle management system in the storage lockers. The center storage locker seems to be much larger on the Nitro boat, and the tackle management system takes up half the locker (enough slots for 12 Plano 3700 boxes) and leaves the whole front of the locker open for larger items, which is a great set-up in my opinion. How do you guys feel about the tackle management system (center front locker) on the Triton? Does the TR19SE system in the large center storage locker take up the whole thing, or just a portion of it?

5. I've heard you've really gotta "drive" a Triton at the top end (chine-walk), whereas the Nitro boats supposedly run much smoother and w/o chine-walk (like the Ranger I'm selling... that damn boat will practically drive itself). Is there any truth to this?

6. Finally, have any of you had any issues with your Triton that made you regret your purchase?

Before anyone asks, I can rig up both boats basically the way I want them and stay within 2 or 3 thousand dollars, so it's not a question of which boat I can afford.

Thank you to anyone who's willing to chime in with their 2 cents. This is obviously a HUGE decision, so I'm just trying to get as much info as I can from other owners instead of only getting a salesman's pitch.

Speaking of salesmen, I've been talking with Robbie over at Bunch Marine for a while, and he's been an enormous help and a stand-up guy. If you're interested in a Triton or Ranger, I really recommend speaking with him. He's incredibly knowledgeable and has gone the extra mile for me even though he was aware I wasn't going to make a purchase immediately. Credit where it's due! Thanks, Robbie!

[jonmay]

Not sure if you've jumped in a Nitro or Triton, but the finish and quality are much different to me. The components in a triton are higher quality than nitro. I also wouldn't buy a z-8 with a 200 when it's rated for a 250. you can get by with a 225 on it. Same goes for the 19se. I wouldn't underpower that boat. It needs a 225, as it's a heavy boat. The triton will def ride better in chop. This model triton has little chine compared to the HP models. Different Hull. The 19se w/225 will get 70-73 depending on set up. Can't speak of the nitro with a 225 on it. I have a 21x2 and I've poked around Nitro's enought to know it felt cheap to me. From the components, everything in the top cap, trailer, you name it. No offense to Nitro owners, just wasn't good enough for me to spend so much on a new boat and have it feel like it did.

rod lockers are plenty big in the triton. The center storage might seem bigger in the nitro as it has one lid, triton has two seperate compartments. i like it that way, planos in one and the rest of your gear in the other. keeps it more organized to me. The ruler available up on deck the way triton has it is nice to me. i use it all the time. works easy and keeps it out of the way.

Triton gets my vote

[fastr19]

I have the 19 XS. Here are my thoughts on your questions. (I know nothing about the Nitro so I can't compare).
The speed with this boat with a 200 should be around 64-65, maybe a tad higher.
The little utility feature in front of the console is handy for the ruler, an 18"er. It has slots for a couple of plier type instruments. I do use it but will trip occasionally on the protruding handles.
As stated there are 2 compartments in the center of the front deck. The aft one is slotted for 9 plano 3700s and will hold more if you want to lay them on top of the boxes in the slots. Also both back boxes are slotted for the 3700s.
The forward box on the front deck is huge. I use it for rain suits, throwable life preserver,tp, and other light stuff. It will hold a huge amount of junk. I put the lighter things there to keep the bow weight down.
The rod lockers will hold all the rods you want to cram in there. I put 7 1/2 footers in there but don't own any 8's.
My boat with the 225 does not chine period and is a breeze to drive. I see very low 70's light and about 70 crammed with tackle, full livewells, and partner.

[teamsos]

Robbie will shoot you straight. Biggest thing about that post is that you won't have to "drive" the 19SE like other Tritons you might have heard about before.

[Super-Pro]

If you ever plan to sell the boat in the future the Triton has a better resale value than a Nitro.

[AreTheyBiting]

I own a Triton and love it but,
I wont try to convince you to buy the Triton
I wont say a single bad thing about the Nitro

What I will promise you is that you wont get any better service or dealership than Bunch Marine
Robbie is top notch, always has time for his customers and for this board

I would pick a dealership over brand any day

When I was looking for a used Triton, Bunch didn't have one that fit my needs and said so. They also said we will be happy to service any Triton you buy

Buy from Robbie, you wont regret it

[NJDevil]

Thanks for the replies so far, guys. Keep 'em coming, please!

I realized after I posted that the Triton has 2 separate compartments in the bow. That was a brain-fart on my part. I actually think I might prefer the larger, single storage box but it's not an issue that would prevent me from buying a Triton. I look at it as a convenience item mostly. I don't carry too much in the front of my boat other than tackle, and thought it would be nice to have all my tackle in a single locker as opposed to splitting it up. Again, not a big deal though.

Regarding the quality: I can't say I see too much of a difference on the quality, to be honest. The only realyl noticeable thing to me was that you can see into the hull when you remove the rear storage bins on the Nitro, but it all still looks very well-made. I designed boats for Yamaha for a time, but I'm not an expert in the field, and what I see looks to be of high quality on both boats.

I've been on numerous Tritons, but I haven't been in really bad chop yet. I've yet to ride in a Z8 or Z9, so I have no idea how they handle, whether it's a dry ride, or how they handle in rough/choppy water. Thanks for the info on that, jonmay. :)

Regarding resale value, I'm not that concerned. I plan to buy the boat I *really* want and get the most out of the options available. My plan is to own the boat for a long time to come.

And it's nice to hear others talking about their dealings with Robbie over at Bunch Marine. He's definitely been great to me as well, and it's certainly appreciated.

[paw paw]

i'm pretty sure nitro stll has plywood decks. they did in '08 when i was looking. that was a huge deal breaker.

[jbh3]

Seeing as how you're in Knoxville, my advice is for you to make the short drive to Harriman and visit Robbie and the folks down at Bunch Marine. Don't know anything about a Nitro or any local Nitro dealer. I can tell you that while I do like my Triton a lot, I own that brand primarily because of the service and support I have received from Bunch. Not a better outfit to do business with anywhere, IMO. Good luck whichever way you go.

[NJDevil]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by jbh3 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Seeing as how you're in Knoxville, my advice is for you to make the short drive to Harriman and visit Robbie and the folks down at Bunch Marine. Don't know anything about a Nitro or any local Nitro dealer. I can tell you that while I do like my Triton a lot, I own that brand primarily because of the service and support I have received from Bunch. Not a better outfit to do business with anywhere, IMO. Good luck whichever way you go.</td></tr></table>

jbh3 - I've spoken with Robbie several times, including visiting Bunch Marine on a few occasions. Thanks for the advice though.

[SSNCHIEF]

I own a Triton and I have owned two Nitros in the past. Triton by far is a better quality boat. Deck lids are thicker, there's no flex when you step on them as there is with the Nitro. Resale value, I believe is better on a Triton. The Nitro is not a bad boat and you can't go wrong buying one. I have a 2007 TR-196 and it is a super fast boat but it does require significant driver input to reach maximum performance. If you buy the Nitro, go with the Z8 vice the Z7. Z8 comes standard with tandem trailer. Larger engine options and better equipped. IMHO the Z9 is not worth the extra money unless you can run across a good deal on a year end close out boat. With the market the way it is, I would find a good used boat. Plenty out there now! Good Luck!

[milfoil]

Unlike some of the other replies, I too have owned both. I had two tritons in a row, then two Nitros, and I am now back to Triton. There is no comparison. Just go to a BPS and look at the construction of the Nitro. I dont know how they drill the holes for the livewell intakes in the back, but mine were not even centered in the boat. they were offset to one side. The fit and finish is horrible. I do not mean for it to sound like I am bashing, but when you really take a hard look at them up close, you will see that even when they are new, there are all kinds of flaws in most of them. There is no more plywood in them since the z series in 09, but I can tell you that I will never own another one, unless the price is far less than a comparable boat. I am also 6'5" tall and cannot even get behind the wheel of a Z8. It is so tight, it is a joke. With even the smaller Tritons, I can stretch my legs all the way out. Far more comfortable. Tritons are almost always perfect in their construction, fit, finish and with the latest hull changes, they are just as driver friendly as any boat on the market. If you are close to Bunch Marine on top of that, then I think it is a no brainer. You will not be dissapointed.

[jaws134]

I too have owned both. I agree with the previous post.

[Mr. McGibletts]

Hey NJ,
I have owned a Nitro in the past and I will almost definitely not buy another one. My boat was not a Z8 but to me that is irrelevant. You need to ask yourself why all of the other boat companies sell their boats for more $ than Nitro. The motors are about the only thing that are the same between the Nitro and the Triton.
The Nitros (IMO) are very cheaply built. On mine, a 2002 NX750 that had about 15 hours on it and was practically new, everything started falling apart in a very short time frame. The scariest part was that the transom started to separate.
Last year i went to BPS during the time they had their "Boat show" and was looking at a Z8 while waiting for my buddy to show up. The fit and finish on their display boat was laughable. The price was real cheap but when I read what the boat came with, all standard equipment but no standard options I realized that to outfit the boat like I would want it, it would cost about another $10K.
My buddy has a Triton 18X2 and I was really impressed by how large the front deck and seating areas were, plus the rough water ride was excellent.
I'm not trying to bash the Nitro I'm just giving you my 2 cents. Ultimately its your money and you can buy whatever you want and it won't affect me, however, you should educate yourself as much as you can so you can possible avoid future buyer's remorse.
Also, the resale values of Nitro are very low and it looks like they tend to sit for sale a long time.
Good luck on whatever you decide.

[triton1costa]

nitros dont even compare to any of the other big brands like triton,skeeter,basscat,ranger,ect. not to mention the fact that u sit so hi in the drivers seat its almost comical.and the only reason pros fish out of them is big money endorsment and a free boat every year.id like to know how much they pay vandam to fish outa nitro boat.as their livewells suck.unless u like having ur back deck flooded by them all the time and who the hell puts a gas vent fitting right thru the side of the damn boat nitro thats who. i can see that gettin ripped off by a tree stump.loaded up comparably the z8 and z9 are about the same price with the 8 being alot faster.they are cheaper than all the rest and they can only do that by cuttin corners.go look at each brand look em over real good and all features fit and finish then u will see the differance .

[Triton180DC]

1. Get the biggest motor you can strap on it whether 225 or above. Get the PRO XS its beefier and will last.

2. Storage is better on Triton, just remember you probably are gonna have 3-5 rods you ever use and the rest are just what ifs. Unless you still throw the whole tackle box at em every chance u get.

3 do you dig around for your measuring board now or toss your pliers in the cup holders?

4. The 19se has room for 9 boxes in the center and you can lay one or two horizontally on top of those. Then there is a huge dry box in front for your gear, anchor, what ever.

5. They've slowed them down in order for "fat walleted Ranger Owners" to be able to switch over to them. The old TR series and the original X series could take some learning especially when running big plates and high prop heights.

6. I regret that i sold it and now its 3x more expensive to replace. The only issue i ever had was the rubber seals on the dry compartments coming loose.

Can you swing a 19xs? they will have better options as far as livewell pumps, trailers, etc.

All that said I am impressed that Nitro has kept their prices down and even lowers them from previous years. Triton and Ranger being over $75K just pisses in my cheerios every time i see those MSRPs.

[gambler4]

tritons are not over 70k ,i just saw a new 2011 20xs loaded go for 42k yesterday ,your going by msrp and that is not what they sell for


as far as nitros go if it is priced similiar to an se options included the se would be the better buy . he is right if you can swing the xs it would be loaded


Modified by gambler4 at 8:10 AM 2/19/2012

[Eddie B]

Tough crowd here. I have a 2009 Triton and my son has a 2010 Nitro. We give each other crap all the time about our boats. If you sit and look hard enough you can find something wrong with both of them. Take a ride in both if you have the chance and make your decision. Asking the triton crowd and Nitro crowd which one is the best not going to get you anywhere. Like asking a republican whats wrong with the democrats.

[Cabela10]

gambler4, he did mention that the $75k was the MSRP price, not actualy price.

[jjtriton]

Eddie B you are correct, try to ride in both boats. Pick the boat you like the best.