1998 Triton TR19 w/175HP Mariner EFI

[AC870]

In mid-November, I sold my 1998 16-foot Xpress with a 60-HP Yamaha and bought a 1998 Triton TR19 with a 175 HP Mariner EFI. 

I've had it out 5-6 times and enjoyed the ride and roominess plus the faster speed but last time I had it out, the trim went out as I was about to load it. It would go down but not up. We think it's the wiring harness and the relay. I've ordered the part to replace it ($150).

Now I'm wondering. Am I going to have ongoing expense and issues like this? Did I mess up by trading up to this boat? I've even thought about trying to sell it and trying to find an 18-foot aluminum boat. 

It's a nice boat. I just want ease of use and to be able to hook up and fish when I want with minimal expense and maintenance issues. 

[iabass8]

If you didn't have the boat and motor inspected by a mechanic like you should when you're buying a almost 28-year-old boat, I would expect to have some issues. In your case all you needed to do a swap the relays and see if it will go up. If it did just replace the relays and you're fine. 

[A-Jay]

5 hours ago, AC870 said:

I just want ease of use and to be able to hook up and fish when I want with minimal expense and maintenance issues. 

 

Prior to getting here - you may have to replace whatever the previous owner was unwilling to and what may have triggered the sale.

Over time even well maintained equipment needs to have repair & parts replaced.  With an almost 20 year old rig, there's bound to be some of this.  Sometimes these situations come & go, and sometimes they just come, & come & come . . . .And even new boats can experience this - in these cases hopefully there's a warranty in place.  Still a PIA.

 

A-Jay

[Jm526]

Try switching the relays. That happen to me. It's a boat, you will always have something even new boat and especially older ones. 

[VolFan]

13 hours ago, iabass8 said:

If you didn't have the boat and motor inspected by a mechanic like you should when you're buying a almost 28-year-old boat, I would expect to have some issues. In your case all you needed to do a swap the relays and see if it will go up. If it did just replace the relays and you're fine. 

Uhhh... You're right, but you may want to double check your math...:-)

[AC870]

Got the relays and the new harness today. Got to find time to get it on. Y'all say a little prayer that this straightens it out. 

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, AC870 said:

Got the relays and the new harness today. Got to find time to get it on. Y'all say a little prayer that this straightens it out. 

 

OK ~ Good Luck Sir.

A-Jay

[WRB]

If you plan to beach your fiber glass boat invest in a Keel Guard.

Your engine was made in Japan (Mercury) and no longer in production, check the hour meter and hope it's not it's not over 300 hours run time!

Good luck, enjoy your boat, it's only 19 years old!

Tom

[FATYAKKER]

Nice looking boat if you don't mind me asking what did you give for it?

[WIGuide]

I don't think you went wrong in your upgrade. Sometimes things happen regardless of how well a boat was cared for. I would try swapping the relays to see if it's just that. Pretty sure they'd be cheaper than the whole wiring harness. If you continue to order parts based on what you think something might be instead of actually figuring out what the cause is, your new investment could get expensive in a hurry. 

[YUT18]

For a boat that old to have a trim solenoid go out isn't bad at all.  I had the same problem last year on my 1998 cabin cruiser.  The install of the new part should be a simple one.  Good luck and happy fishing.

[dwtaylor]

17 hours ago, WRB said:

 

"Your engine was made in Japan (Mercury) and no longer in production, check the hour meter and hope it's not it's not over 300 hours run time!

Good luck, enjoy your boat, it's only 19 years old!

Tom"

I'm pretty sure all 2.5 L V6 mariners and Mercs were made right here in Fond Du Lac.  I think the major differences were the paint, cowling, and maybe some small differences in the ecu/programming.  Japan may have built the small stuff at that time though.

[BobP]

I've owned a 98 Triton 19 ft boat with a 150 EFI Merc for 15 years.  99% chance your problem is thenrelays, not the wiring harness.  They have a habit of blowing the trim relays periodically so I keep a set in the boat at all times.  The relays have points like in an auto distributor and they eventually fuse together.  I started taking them apart and burnishing the points smooth, then reusing them.  Repaired relays last as long as new ones in my experience.  

[AC870]

I replaced the harness because some of the plastic around the metal in that looked like it had got hot. New harness, new relays put in and trim is back in business. I'm feeling better. Can't wait to get back on water.