curious about GPS wide open speeds on 18' & 19' glass boats

[wishin4fishin]

Just curious as to what kind of speeds (GPS) guys are getting on 18 and 19 foot glass bass boats, I'll assume most will have maxxed powerplants. Based on typical water conditions, etc.

I'm looking at buying a used glass boat in this size soon and, although I'm not a speed freak, I am curious as to what kind of top end I can expect w/ a max rated powerplant.

Thanx

[bassdocktor]

I've got a 05' Triton TR186 with the Merc 150 XR6 not the max(175) but a common setup, Tempest Plus prop 23 inch pitch I believe. Also, no jack plate. Ran 58.3mph gps. Full tournament load on that run and I believe it was with 3/4 tank of gas. Still has some has 300 rpm till it reaches the max suggested. Jack plate or different prop would change that.

 

[wishin4fishin]

How do you like your Triton?

[cart7t]

Top speeds in any 18-19' boat will vary greatly depending on boat brand and how the boat is setup.  Some hulls are built for speed, others for ride and handling.  

 

[jdw174]

It will depend a whole lot on which boat you get.  Some hulls are faster than others.  Also the setup/setback/prop choice.  I run a '98 TR20 (19'6") with a 6" jackplate set at 5 1/4" over the transom.  Prop is a 23 pitch Renegade pushed by a 175 Ficht.  Depending on weather, I can hit 65 on the gps with this setup with just myself and all my tackle, 1/2 tank of gas.  

[BillyBob]

2005 TR196 DC , Mercury 200 EFI, 26 tempest, 5" over trans, full load, 67mph gps, 72 mph alone and empty. Takes awhile to learn to drive it past 62 because it will chine, but if the boats setup and the props right you will learn. A trophy 25 4-blade, improved the handle and gained me 1 or two mph. Just traded it off but I'll always have a spot in my heart for her. EFI 3.0L, last yr they made them...seemed to be about 5mph faster than the opti. and at wot not that much worse on gas.

[bassdocktor]

Wishin4Fishin I love my Triton. I haven't had it out in anything too nasty so I can't comment on that but in some nasty nasty boat wakes there have been no problems.

If I had the garage space I'd probably try adding the jackplate and see if I could get it running even better. This summer I may try using a different prop. I'd like to get those extra 300rpms out of the engine. It has alot of space in it.

It's fully loaded so that both my dad and I can have everything we both need so I'm sure you'd find that it has plenty of space for just you.

bassdocktor

[wishin4fishin]

Wishin4Fishin I love my Triton. I haven't had it out in anything too nasty so I can't comment on that but in some nasty nasty boat wakes there have been no problems.

If I had the garage space I'd probably try adding the jackplate and see if I could get it running even better. This summer I may try using a different prop. I'd like to get those extra 300rpms out of the engine. It has alot of space in it.

It's fully loaded so that both my dad and I can have everything we both need so I'm sure you'd find that it has plenty of space for just you.

bassdocktor

Yeah I think the 19' is the best size for me. A guy I know has a '99 Triton and loves it. That's about as big a boat as I want to try to pull w/ my V6 Tacoma anyway.

[bassdocktor]

I've talked to some people with them and they've all been happy. Everyone one I know who has or had a Triton loved them. The only problems I have had were minor issues that may have been from the setup. The dealer took care of everything right away.

[wishin4fishin]

I've talked to some people with them and they've all been happy. Everyone one I know who has or had a Triton loved them. The only problems I have had were minor issues that may have been from the setup. The dealer took care of everything right away.

My nightmare is to buy a used boat from a dealership, then 1 or 2 months down the road have some kind of ridiculous problem that they won't follow up on. I've read a couple horror stories on these forums that have me a little gun shy as far as buying a used boat. And there's just no way i can afford to buy new. Luckily I have a guy i can take with me who knows boats and motors inside and out, so I'm keepin my fingers crossed. I'd love to find a '99 or 2000 Triton 196 w/ a 200 Merc in real good shape.

[StatosDadRI]

18' with  150HP  57-63mph

19' with  175 HP 63-68mph

19  with   200HP 68-73mph

This is most Rangers, Stratos, Tritons, Basscatts, Champions set up right with jackplates and good props. some a bit faster by 1-2mph tops

deduct  1mph for every 100lbs you add in people and tackle.

[wishin4fishin]

18' with 150HP 57-63mph

19' with 175 HP 63-68mph

19 with 200HP 68-73mph

This is most Rangers, Stratos, Tritons, Basscatts, Champions set up right with jackplates and good props. some a bit faster by 1-2mph tops

deduct 1mph for every 100lbs you add in people and tackle.

Hey thanks! That's exactly the kind of general overall info I was looking for. I think that settles it, my target will be 19 footer & 200 horse motor.

[Way2slow]

All depends on hull, setup and whats pushing it.  For instance, my old 1989 Stratos 285 Pro.  Dry hull weight approx 1,500 pounds, that's with no rigging, motor etc, just the hull.

A 1989 Evinurde XP150 would push it 52 mph with 22" raker and six inch jackplate.

A 1977 Evinrude 200 would push it 56 mph with same prop and jackplate.

A mildly modified 1989 200 Johnson 3.0 looper on a 8" jackplate and 26" raker would push it 78 mph after blueprinting the hull.

A more modifend 3.0 looper on a 8" jackplate and custom 24" raker would push it 83 mph.

All these were gps speeds on the same hull with different setups and modifications.  

I can push my 20 Javelin over 80 (81.3 best) with two people and gear in the boat with one of my motors.  Just remember, these ain't your average fishing motors.  A guy I built one for just had his dino'd and it was cranking 326 Hp @ 6,300 rpm on 91 octane and 306 lbs of torque at 5,500 rpm.  That was a conservative build for a ski boat.

[fishfordollars]

I've talked to some people with them and they've all been happy. Everyone one I know who has or had a Triton loved them. The only problems I have had were minor issues that may have been from the setup. The dealer took care of everything right away.

My nightmare is to buy a used boat from a dealership, then 1 or 2 months down the road have some kind of ridiculous problem that they won't follow up on. I've read a couple horror stories on these forums that have me a little gun shy as far as buying a used boat. And there's just no way i can afford to buy new. Luckily I have a guy i can take with me who knows boats and motors inside and out, so I'm keepin my fingers crossed. I'd love to find a '99 or 2000 Triton 196 w/ a 200 Merc in real good shape.

Finally someone that gets it. You are a wise man. Taking a mechanic with you to check out a used boat is the only way to get a prized possession instead of someone else's nightmare. Congratulations on your expertise. There are many wishing they had done the same.

[Rick Cargo]

I've got a 2000 Nitro NX882 with a same year of Mercury 150 EFI running a 4 blade stainless steel Trophy Lazer II 21 pitch blade.(jez, i hope i got all that right). With my new Humminbird 787c2i combo graph I clocked 59.9 MPH on calm conditions last saturday. My boat is 18'2".

[Bryant.]

I have a 2007 basscat pantera 4 with a 200 merc on the back and it will go 65 with a tournement load. With just me by myself I got it up to 71.3 gps. If you are looking for a 19 footer with a 200 you can't beat a Basscat Pantera 4, great rough water ride, enough storage to hold a tackle shop, not to mention they just won the J.D. Power award in highest customer satisfaction for fiberglass boats for the fourth year in a row.

[wishin4fishin]

I have a 2007 basscat pantera 4 with a 200 merc on the back and it will go 65 with a tournement load. With just me by myself I got it up to 71.3 gps. If you are looking for a 19 footer with a 200 you can't beat a Basscat Pantera 4, great rough water ride, enough storage to hold a tackle shop, not to mention they just won the J.D. Power award in highest customer satisfaction for fiberglass boats for the fourth year in a row.

Yes I've read very good things about basscats. I'm just not sure I'll be able to find one. Trust me, if I could find a good used 19 foot BC in my price range I'd seriously consider it, but I'm finding seeing a lot more  Stratos, Tritons, Skeeters and Rangers here in central KY.