Best handling bass boat.....

[5bass]

Thanks for the info SBN....and does that mean you are a Gambler fan also?

I agree about the Tritons,you couldnt GIVE me a Triton.A guy in my club has a TR18 with a 150 and the chine walk is unbelievable,just on the 150.I also drove a 21X and overall it was a nice boat but the ride was horrible.I figured a bigger heavier boat like the 21 would be a little better than the 18,boy was I wrong.

I understand that Triton's are still a fairly new company and that they are the big boat sponsor for BASS now and it's easier to break into the big time if you already own one of the sponsors boats and can have an honest opinion about their boats but......

[2100gambler]

triton doesnt have the best boat by any means but they sure do have good marketing strategies.

popularity gained from marketing doesnt mean it is the best or even average.

[JT Bagwell]

I think a couple of people need to go back and read what was actually said. I didn't see anywhere in the previous posts where it said Triton was better than Skeeter or Ranger. I did see where it said they required more skill to drive.

It's kind of funny, I never saw anywhere that said Triton was the "best" either. I am not looking to start a pecker pulling contest over who makes the better boat. Frankly I couldn't really care less.

Just because a boat chinewalks doesn't make it a bad ride. It just means that you need more driving practice. My TR20 will chinewalk you to death if you don't know how to control it, but it rides good when I am behind the wheel.

JT Bagwell

[5bass]

JT,not to get into a "pulling" contest but there are others here that have been driving boats just as long or longer than you.

That being said,I could probably get used to driving a Triton if I did it on a regular basis.I was just voicing my opinion about a boat that I have driven and also about Triton boats that I have riden in.And by the way,my boat driving skills are just fine,thanks.

[JT Bagwell]

You made my point perfectly. Thank You.

You "can" get used to driving a Triton if you do it on a regular basis. That is what it takes to get rid of the chinewalk. It has nothing to do with your ability to drive a boat. It is simply your awareness of how to handle a boat that chinewalks.

JT Bagwell

Ps: I am sure there are tons of people on here that have been driving a boat longer than me. I am only 29 years old.

[2100gambler]

and you need to go back and read what i said too.....i didnt say that you said tritoon was the best. i was saying that its a popular boat because it is marketed well. also i didnt say that you said it was better than a ranger or skeeter. i said that you must be smoking crack if you put it in a class with bullets, gamblers and allisons and that you can not put it in a class above rangers, skeeters, champs ect. when its manufactured the same way.

i will go even further and say that in MY OPINION a triton is only one step (small step) above a nitro

[Glenn]

Well, it's all a matter of what you're looking for.  Allisons, Gamblers, etc are known for their high speed.  Rangers, Skeeters, etc are known for better rides and quality construction, but they won't beat the boats above in a race.

Everyone has an opinion. It just depends on what's important to the individual.

Mine?  I'm partial to my Ranger.    But I'm not going to knock other boats because other people choose them.

As for chine walk, that's usually an indication of poor setup.  Typically the motor is too low and/or it's using the wrong prop.  True, some hull designs are more prone to chine walk, and I haven't driven a Triton, so I don't have an opinion.  However, several of my pro friends drive them and don't complain about chine walk - they complain of other things about the boat (like water leaking into the storage compartments).

At any rate, it's a matter of personal preference.  What is one person's annoyance, other person overlooks it.  It doesn't mean one is right and the other wrong.  It's just personal preference.

[johnbr19792003]

you can always get rid of chine walking by adjusting the trim. Might lose a little speed but it will be a safe rid. What do you guys think of stratus boats i havent heard much about those on this site. I agree with the triton marketing, thats the only reason why people think there so good, because bass is sponsored by them or vise versa. Also is a bass cat a good boat I looked at a 21 footer today with a 225 e tech on it they wanted $23,000 for it .the boat is a 2002 or 2004 cant remember

[Fatdaddy150]

OK boys time to calm down! We all have a favorite boat manufacturer. No need to get out of shape. I have driven a Triton and Gambler they are very nice boats. I did not have a problem with chine walk in the Trition TR196 with a 200 optimax on it. The Gambler was also had good ride, fast too. Like Glenn said I think it may be in the setup or prop on the Triton this boat just may be harder to dial in. I am partial to Champions and Rangers myself. But everyone has their own opinion. My buddy has a Nitro and he swears it is the best boat made "it does ride pretty well and he has had no problems with it, He has had it for four years now speed is ok and ride ain't bad either". I think that almost all boat companies are on the same playing feild. It is just every anglers personal preference. The point is get what you want and congratulate a fellow basser on his new purchase.

Tight Lines,

Fatdaddy151

[SBN]

Thanks for the info SBN....and does that mean you are a Gambler fan also?

Yea, a '97 209TE with a 225 ProMax. Rides good, runs good. Have owned many a boat in my 51 years, but this one has to be the best overall boat I have owned. Big front deck, plenty of storage, etc.

[5bass]

Glenn, I tried out a Z like you suggested but couldnt justify spending $42 grand on a boat.....although I will probably buy one after they are out a year or two and depreciate into my price range.

I went with the Gambler just for the mere fact that I like a Gambler.....the huge deck,massive storage and fast smooth ride.

But thats just temporary for a year or two,I really like the Rangers also....they hold their value so well and are in my opinion the best built/best overall quality boats available.

My dad has always told me that Rangers are the Harley Davidsons of bass boats....I believe that.

[2100gambler]

. Also is a bass cat a good boat I looked at a 21 footer today with a 225 e tech on it they wanted $23,000 for it .the boat is a 2002 or 2004 cant remember

john i think a basscat is a great boat. they are tuff as nails, have a good ride, handle well and have pretty good speed. and you probably  cant find a better boat cheaper than a cat.

[johnbr19792003]

thanks for the info

[abelfisher]

As fatdaddy151 said, "The point is get what you want and congratulate a fellow basser on his new purchase."

DITTO.  I think my new Pflueger President Baitcaster is the best reel going.  Doesn't mean it is better than all the others but it is the best I have ever owned and "just feels right for me"  

We should be happy for each other when one goes out and purchases something you've been waiting to do....whether a boat or reel or whatever.   ;D

[Fatdaddy150]

As fatdaddy151 said, "The point is get what you want and congratulate a fellow basser on his new purchase."

DITTO. I think my new Pflueger President Baitcaster is the best reel going. Doesn't mean it is better than all the others but it is the best I have ever owned and "just feels right for me"

We should be happy for each other when one goes out and purchases something you've been waiting to do....whether a boat or reel or whatever. ;D

Thanks for understanding what I was talking about abelfisher. Sometimes people like things we don't. And other times a guy has to buy what is in his price range. Just nice to tell a fellow basser good job and hope you really like the new purchase. Even if it was something we might not have bought ourseleves.

Tight Lines,

Fatdaddy151

[Laser1550]

Now I know that I am new to this board and want to say thanks and looks like a good board,but I have to say to Mr Bagwell and I did read the post VERY carefully before I made this reply. How in the world could you put a triton in the same class the one you called high performance,as the Allisons,Bullets, and I'll add a few that truly are high performance Strokers,Norricraft,Bamblers etc.. Now those are TRUE high performance boats. Yes Triton has some very good marketing strategy's and have the money to sponsor some of the pro's probably due to the fact that Earl has made a ton of money from his other companies ( not to say that TRUE high performance boat companies dont have the money they just spend it on makin HIGH PERFORMANCE machines). Could you please tell me what you have based your thoughts on? Have you ever rode in a Bullet,Gambler,Allison, Laser etc? Now mind you I am asking not pointing fingers but come on now how could you put a Triton in the high performance catagory that you did. Yes as far as chopper gun boats go yes they are pretty good but I have fished and drove them and personally I find them over priced and Earl needs to go back to the chalk board if he wants to run with the Big Boys as far as High performance is concerned. Just my 2 cents worth. Shoot I run with and outrun most Trtioons with my lil ole Laser (and it aint over powered). As I said just my 2 cents and was wondering how you are basing your opinion on what you said.

[Glenn]

Laser - I think it depends on what your definition of "high performance" is.  I take it yours is "high speed"?

I'd fathom to guess JT's definition is different.  Not wrong, just different.

[flyinallison]

another newbie here.... been reading these boards for a while and decided to get in on this, lol

JT's definition of high performance might be different than lasers definition , but i can only see it being two ways. if his definition is a custom made boat that puts more emphasis on performance than marketing or advertising then a triton does not fit. or his definition could mean a high horsepower which would also include skeeter, ranger, nitro and all other glass boats as well as some aluminum boat manufactures.

i think a triton compares with ranger, skeeter, ect and believe thats what class it belongs in and dont think it in any way compares with allison, bullets, gamblers, strokers, ect.

i run an allison but used my dads tr21 triton for 2 months after a tornado dropped a tree on my allison. i dont think a triton is a bad boat but i sure dont think it ranks at the top. in my opinion a basscat or a champion (pre genmar) or even a ranger or skeeter are better fishing platforms than a triton.

i have seen some good speeds from triton when compared to other production boats and i will give them credit for that but the ride has been sacrificed and heaven forbid you dont have a coke sitting on the deck while fishing and another boat passes flies by, because your carpet is fixin to get wet and sticky.

just my .02

[Glenn]

All -

AGAIN, it's a matter of personal preferences choices - not who's right and who's wrong.

Allisons, Gamblers, etc. are perfect for some people, but absolutely horrible for others. At the same time, Rangers, Skeeters, etc. are perfect for some people when an Allison or Gambler is a terrible choice for them.

It all comes down to what works best for you. And if you're a gentleman, you'll respect the decisions and boats of others, rather than knocking them. Seems like a senseless argument anyway.

Instead of talking bad about other boats, why not tell everyone why you chose yours?

P.S. If you really cannot resist being combatitive and knocking people down, rather than talking about the positive aspects of your boat, then you need to find another forum. In fact, I won't tolerate that attitude here and have no problem banning people who insist on "winning the argument".  

In short, keep your posts positive or move on.

[5bass]

I agree Glenn.....I bought a Gambler because I wanted

1. more speed

2. more deck

3. more storage

but,I knocked myself out of the Ranger Cup incentive program by buying a Gambler.

And through talking to various people in the bass fishing world,Triton is handing out sponsorships like there is no tomorrow and it only makes sense to buy one of their boats and get a better shot at being sponsored by them.I fished Lake Gaston this weekend and 75% of the boats in the tournament were Tritons,obviously they are making a good impression on a whole bunch of people.

[flyinallison]

i chose allison because it has the best ride, most durable, more features and 30 mph faster than a triton. not to mention it gets 5 mpg while that triton is getting 2mpg. just my opinion .

[JT Bagwell]

I think a lot of the ride depends on the skill level of the driver. For some people, they might be able to handle a low end boat like a Nitro and not be able to get a high performance boat like a Triton over 60mph.

High performance boats (Allison, Gambler, Triton, Bullet, etc) are built for speed and as a result they require more practice to properly drive. This is not the case with Skeeter, Ranger, Nitro and other brands. These boats have very little (if any) chine walk and they are simple to drive.

I can not believe people are getting that worked up over that stupid a** statement. What I meant was that boats that are faster have a tendancy to chine walk a lot (until you learn to drive them). I did not mean that Rangers and Skeeters are crappy boats because I happen to like them both a lot.

In reality I could really care less what boat someone drives. If they like it then that is all that matters. Especially since they are the only ones that are making that payment each month.

To whoever that was that made the statement about Tritons being over priced: I agree completely. I think every boat on the market is over priced. There is no need for a boat to cost half as much as what people are paying for houses.

JT Bagwell

[flyinallison]

LOL  i get it now!

your sayin that rangers and skeeters dont run fast enough to chine walk?   ;D

lol i am just messin with you JT   :)

i understand what your saying. there is a point where every boat will walk and my guess is that its around 70 mph. no matter what brand it is, its gonna walk if it runs fast enough.

[Nick.Culver]

Just remember this. The size speed and cost of the boat don't make you a better fisherman. In fact I bet their plenty of people out their who can fish just as well out of a tracker. Than half of us on this forum. I hate hearing people talk about how great their boat is. Yopu may like the boat and the company. So what? Who cares I don't. I also think it's wrong to judge a person by the boat they drive and what they say. I have a tracker and have caught plenty of fish out of it. I also have to deal with alot of people looking down on me because I'm 17yrs old. With sponsors backing me. You guys all have to realize their's people on here that can't afford a boat like you. I would love to have any of the baots listed in this list of posts. I'm trying to make a carreer out of this sport. I really don't like seeing this stuff. It's kind of like the thugs in school talking about who like low rider is better than whoms. Is just a ticking war and it's wrong. Sorry just had to get this off my chest. I'd really like to see stuff like this go away.

P.S. People really need to quit taking offense to people's post. I never saw JT disciminating any other boat. Plus he never made Triton sounded better than any other boat. He just made a well written reply.

Sorry if I affend or have singled any one out.

[Glenn]

AMEN Nick!

I'm just about ready to lock this thread.  You won't believe the number of posts I've deleted and/or modified due to insults or general lack of respect a few individuals have shown to others.  That's totally uncalled for and simply not tolerated here.  

If you're upset I deleted or modified your post - you're one of them, and I'm keeping an eye on you.  Leave your attitude at the door, or I will block your posting abilities.

I shouldn't have to do that.  But some people don't have the ability to make a post without hurling insults at people.  I'm absolutely floored to see adults act like that -- and impressed a 17-year old has the wisdom a few others twice his age will never get.