Hello Triton owners. I need your guys opinions on the TR196. I found a super clean 2006 TR196 with Mercury 200 Optimax. The motor only has around 12 hrs on it. The boat still looks new. I have never owned a Triton and would just like to see what you guys think about it. Thanks.
Hey Jordan. I have a 2007 TR196 that I bought new in 2008. It's comfortable to fish out of and mine will run 68-70 depending on the load. I have had it up to 72mph. It will take some getting used to driving it. I was told that it is one of the more difficult Triton models to drive due to the chine walk. Once you get used to handling it you will be fine.
I've got a 2008 196 and really like it. It will take some time to get used to the chine walk, but you don't HAVE to drive it wide open on the first time out. Fishes good, lots of storage and lots of deck space for its size. Proper set up will take some of the demons out of driving it. Good luck!
That is my main concern is the chine walk myth of the Tritons. I have also heard that the TR196 takes awhile to get used to. I have really questioned getting a Triton just because of the negativity I have heard on chine walking.
I have that exact boat / motor. Chine walk is not a myth, it's a reality. You will need to learn to drive it, but it's not that hard. I really don't even realize I'm doing anything anymore and find myself thinking "wow, the boat doesn't walk anymore". Then you look over your shoulder and when you look back forward, it's starting to walk. Any high performance bass boat that gets all the way up on the pad will walk, it's the nature of the beast.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one or recommend one to anyone.
Making good people helpless has never made bad people harmless.
I've got a 2000 Model TR19 and I love it. Like others have said it will chine walk but any boat will do that until you get use to driving it. For a 19' boat is has a good amount of deck space and it is just a good fishing boat. My buddy has a blazer 202 pro v and we measured the width of the front deck just in front of the rod lockers on both of our boats. My 19' Triton was 53" across and his 20' Blazer was only 48" across. Keep in mind this is not the total width of the boat but the width of the deck (which to me is more important when it comes to fishing space). I love my Triton and would recommend them to anyone.
The 196 was a great boat for Triton with them selling thousands. The 196 takes a little driving, but once acheived it is like riding a bike. You will love the boat.
I have an 05 TR 196, 200 Merc and love it. Moved up from a nitro, best thing I ever did.
With those hrs on the motor you shouldn't pass it up.
Talked to a factory rep at the Classic while looking at the 19XS and during that conversation he said that the designers at Triton said that the Tr-196 with a 200hp. was the best combination that they have ever designed in that size category. You can get up to 64-65 mph before it starts to walk but with some seat time it's not a problem. If you want to skim across the top of the water get the Triton if you want to plow thru the water at slower speeds get a Ranger just make sure you have some back up spots to go to cause the guy with the Triton will be on your first spot.
Tournament-Fishing \"It\'s not a question of if you will be humbled but how many times\"
Go for it!
BTW proper set up lessens chine walk and makes a boat easier to learn to drive
"If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles." ~Doug Larson
I agree with all the other comments, you'll love it. I also have a 2006 TR196LE and it will walk but you don't have to run it wide open fully trimmed. Ease into it and as you get to know the boat it's a blast to drive. My best so far is 70.8 GPS with just myself and a full tournament load.
I appreciate all of the comments and opinions. I really needed some persuasion and advice on this boat. I know Triton makes a great boat, I just had a couple of things holding me back. It is an awesome looking boat with low hours and a great price as well. It is also the limited edition so it is already loaded too. Thanks guys you may see me on here more now that I'm gonna try to be a Triton owner.
I bought a 2004 196 with a 3 liter EFI I love the boat has tons of storage as far as the chine walk I havent had a issue with it I have a 4 blade for the handling not concerned about the speed i have only gotten it up to 63 GPS . I like this boat because I can put all my stuff in the boxes and my partners rods an his gear to that way we dont have to put everything in the back of the truck to keep it from getting stolen.I looked for a boat with a single axle thinking it would be easyer to move around in the garage that is not true my old boat with a duell wheels was easyer to push but hard to turn Norm
I run an '05 196 with a 200 Opti, and my partner runs an '04 with a 200 EFI.
The 196 has proven to be one of the best boats Triton has ever built. It does chine walk, but after a few months you'll have it wide open wiht no issues. The plus side (I have heard) is that if you can drive a 196 with ease, you can drive pretty much anything.
I'm at the point where I'm starting to look at newer boats in the 20' class, but for the life of me I just can't justify it.
I just recently bought an '08 TR-196 w/200 Opti. It has some serious chine walk but I don't care I just don't run it that fast. As time goes by it'll get better as I work to get it properly set up. Mark Curtis has some good tips on the set-up.
http://www.bbcboards.net/triton-boat...lly-doing.html
Cruise On!
Snake Doc/Ron
08 Triton TR-196
08 Merc 200 Opti
With that amount of hours and the shape you say it is in go for it!!! Yes it will scare you a bit at first but you'll get the hang of it. That was one of the best boats Triton ever built for us "weekend anglers". It was priced right, well equipped, fast and they seem to hold a decent resale value. I run a TR 19 which is the older version of a 196 and I love it. I too have looked at newer boats bigger boats but I don't see myself needing anything more. If I ever have major motor issues I will just re-power it because I love it that much. I run a hydraulic jackplate which helped me a bit when learning to drive it but you don't need one. You won't regret buying this boat if the price is right and it should give you years of fishing pleasure.
I have an 05 tr196dc and still smile every time I motor away from the ramp. Love my boat! Once you do get your rig have the dealer or another triton owner show you how to drive it to counter the chine walk. I didn't and it took a while to learn how. Now I never even notice it because you just start to instinctively drive and counter the chine walk. Sometimes I'll let it the boat start to chine walk on purpose, just to remind myself that it really does still chine walk if you let it.Set up correctly it's easlily a low 70's boat when you want to go that fast. :thumbup:
Tom Gates, 2005 Triton TR196DC LE, 200 Opti
bought mine new in 06, once you get past the chine walk it is a very smooth ride and is pretty stable.
I hated mine. Rode like a pulp wood truck. Had alot of chine walk had to drive it. It was pretty tho.
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