New boat question/problem

[alabamabassmaster]

Hey guys, I just bought a brand new Triton TS-17 Aluminum Bass Boat and I am having many issues. First, I have a bounce out of this world, I pretty much have to keep the motor trimmed all the way down to keep it from bouncing out of the water. The dealer is putting me off, Triton isn't wanting to do anything about it and I am losing my patience.

The boat has a 90 hp Mercury Optimax with a 6" Jackplate that was just added to "fix" the bounce and 22 pitch stainless prop , well not only did the plate not fix it but it made it a little worse. I barely can get to 35 mph without it jumping out of the water as in the bounce. I've tried picking the motor up and lowering it all the way down, still the bounce is there. We have tried more weight, still nothing. I am almost to the point to where I want to take it to the dealer and say "here, it's yours". I was told by another dealer with boat with this setup should run 50 mph with no problems.

Second, my front livewell leaks like crazy. I had it full of crappie and was coming back to the landing. The water was a little choppy but I was running about 30 mph. Got to the landing and went to get out my bag, it was soaked as was everything else because the livewell next to it had leaked the water into my storage.

The weird thing, my dealer claims he has sold 11 boats with this same bounce problem!

Any suggestions?

[alabamabassmaster]

Well, we're getting somewhere now, the owner of the dealership took the boat to the river himself and ran it today. He adjusted everything in everyway he knew and couldn't get the bounce out. The problem is something with the hull. Triton has many issues with the TS boats so at this point everyone BEWARE!

They're taking the problematic boats back to the factory and repairing the hull to fix this issue. Also, FYI all of the boats that has this problem has 90hp outboards, anything less then 90hp doesn't have this issue.

[cart7t]

While it's not unusual for any boat to porpoise at some point in it's power band depending on loads, for a boat to do it throughout the entire range indicates there's something very, very wrong.  Good luck.

[jhoffman]

Id be so MAD... i pitty the customer service at any company when I feel wronged.

I once had sprint drop $200 of my cell phone bill.

[alabamafishin]

Hey,

Sounds like we have the same boat with the same problems!  I just got off the phone with the Triton representative and he says they are coming down to South Alabama to work on our boat along with 5-6 others sold from the same dealer having the same problems.  Have they fixed your boat and if so, what did they do to it and how long did it take?

I sure hope we get this problem fixed.

[alabamabassmaster]

Hey,

Sounds like we have the same boat with the same problems! I just got off the phone with the Triton representative and he says they are coming down to South Alabama to work on our boat along with 5-6 others sold from the same dealer having the same problems.

Where did you buy yours at if you don't mind me asking? Also, what part of the state are you from?

Have they fixed your boat and if so, what did they do to it and how long did it take?

Nope, they haven't done a thing! A few weeks ago a Triton Rep. came down, he was a Sales Manager not an Engineer a Sales Manager. Anyway, he ran my boat and tried to talk me into believing it was me overtrimming the motor. Well once me and the owner of the dealer said we weren't satisfied we tried a 6" jack plate which didn't help at all. The owner of the dealership ran it and adjusted it everyway possible and couldn't get it to help so this tells me it's the hull.

I went on vacation thinking maybe when I returned I would have a message or something, nothing! I went to the dealer and asked about this issue, I asked "have you heard anything from Triton" and he said "well, their supposed to be sending a rep. from the factory to run the boats but I have to get everyone together and give them a date" well, we're all still waiting on the "date". I have been by the dealer I can't count how many times during the past 4 months and I have spoke to Triton directly. No one is doing anything at this point, it's been 4 months and nothing has been done to fix my boat. I keep getting the same old "Well...we're working on it" or "I got to get everyone together and give Triton a date so they can come down". Well, it's been four months and I'm back where I started so I have hired an attorney to settle this for me. I'm getting my money back or a new boat, either way I'm going to win. My lawyer said I'm in a win/win situation because this is a new boat and the problem was present when it left the factory. I hate I have to go thru all this and I hate it for all of the others too but Triton is supposed to be one of the best, well I am yet to see it with their aluminum boats.

What makes me so mad is, I'm paying $350 a month for a boat I can't use properly and no one is doing anything it. Also, the dealership is being extremely rude to me now, it's like I'm a big inconvenience to them.

I will keep this updated when I hear something.

[alabamafishin]

We were getting the same run around about "We're working on it...we're sending a rep...got to get everybody together..." that you have until I ended up talking to Earl Bentz's secretary.  I told her what was happening and then the phone calls started being returned.

We bought the boat in Thomasville.  We have been talking with Triton also, a guy named Rick, and the dealer.  The dealer has 5-6 boats doing this and supposedly is the only dealer in Alabama having this problem as far as Triton is telling.  As of yesterday afternoon, Triton is supposed to be coming down to get the boat and take it back to the TN and work on it.  They are suppose to call Tuesday with more information on when they're coming.

Also, yesterday our dealer was out testing a boat with the same problem, taking the jack plate off (that's what we've been told to do), and using a 4 blade prop along with other props.  He said nothing helped.  

Are you from down here?  I'll keep you updated with what's being done with our situation.

[alabamafishin]

I also forgot to mention, they have been telling us they are testing boats in TN so that when they get down here, they'll know how to fix these.  Then, they called back saying they would just come get the boat and take it back to TN.  

We were also told that the aluminum boat factory was shut down in MS and that all this that has happening now is new in the TN factory.  Rick is a fiberglass man, but has been put in charge of trying to find a fix for the aluminum boats because the aluminum engineer has been too busy to handle it.  

We may have to get together with you and your attorney and get this settled if things don't change.

[alabamabassmaster]

This is absolutely ridiculous, I mean we still have to pay for these boats. I think Triton should make the payments until it's fixed or we get new boats.

I also bought mine from Thomasville, McNider Marine. You have heard more than I have, he says "I'll call you" and never does. I'm calling Triton back Monday morning and hopefully I can get somewhere.

[alabamabassmaster]

Do you also have the 2008 TS-17 with the 90hp Mercury?

[alabamafishin]

We have a TS17 with a 90 Optimax and 4 inch jack plate with also a Hot Shot Plate that TH Marine sent us to try.  

I talked to Rick at Triton this today.  He said the plan is for McNider Marine to try to get us all together on Friday, June 6th.  Triton is sending someone down to work on the boats, try different props and/or weld wedges on the bottom of the boat.

Were you able to find out anything when you called?

[alabamabassmaster]

We have a TS17 with a 90 Optimax and 4 inch jack plate with also a Hot Shot Plate that TH Marine sent us to try.

I think I've heard of him mention your boat, is it white?

I talked to Rick at Triton this today. He said the plan is for McNider Marine to try to get us all together on Friday, June 6th. Triton is sending someone down to work on the boats, try different props and/or weld wedges on the bottom of the boat.

Were you able to find out anything when you called?

I was told the same thing but didn't get a date or anything just they were coming to run each boat and hopefully have a fix for it.

I was told by the dealer that he wanted all of us together when Triton comes and he would call me when he got a date. I told my lawyer to hold on before we proceed because it looks like we may get something out of Triton. I also told the dealer I didn't want a "patched" or "fixed" boat that I wanted a new boat and he didn't say anything so we'll see what happens.

[alabamafishin]

Ours is silver/gray like the ones he has on the floor up there.

[alabamabassmaster]

Ours is silver/gray like the ones he has on the floor up there.

I gotcha! Well, hopefully we'll get something done on the day they plan on coming. If not, we will have to go the hard way bad as I hate it.

[jhoffman]

If they had to "weld" anything to my boat they better have the best darn tig welder in the nation or id want a refund.

[alabamabassmaster]

If they had to "weld" anything to my boat they better have the best darn tig welder in the nation or id want a refund.

I agree, I don't want a "patched" boat, I paid for a new boat and that's what I will get or else we'll get it the hard way.

This will be the last Triton I ever buy, my next boat will be a Blazer or Ranger and it's not really the dealer, it's Triton. They're supposed to be one of the best however I haven't seen them do anything right to this point. It's like they don't want to confess they made a mistake and do something about it.

[alabamabassmaster]

I talked to Rick at Triton this today. He said the plan is for McNider Marine to try to get us all together on Friday, June 6th. Triton is sending someone down to work on the boats, try different props and/or weld wedges on the bottom of the boat.

Have you heard anything from the dealer about this because they have not mentioned a thing to me about this so I'm curious about what's going on with them and Triton. Let me know if you hear anything else and I'll do the same.

[CFFF 1.5]

Maybe this is a stupid question but didn't you water test your boats before buying them? Or does the dealer just have one boat to test and then you buy a showroom boat. Just curious.

[alabamabassmaster]

Maybe this is a stupid question but didn't you water test your boats before buying them? Or does the dealer just have one boat to test and then you buy a showroom boat. Just curious.

No, my boat had to be ordered, once it got here it was rigged up and called ready to go. I wanted to water test it before buying it but the dealer is about 20-30 miles from the river. My next boat, you better believe I will water test it before buying it.  

[alabamafishin]

I heard from McNider Marine this morning.  They are wanting us up at the dealer on Friday morning, June 6th.  Triton is going to be there.

[njpaulc]

When the 6 pr 7 of you guys with the problem boats get together, make sure the Triton rep overhears you talking about lawyers and class action suites.  You should insist that they either replace your boat, or your money back, plus interest.

[alabamabassmaster]

When the 6 pr 7 of you guys with the problem boats get together, make sure the Triton rep overhears you talking about lawyers and class action suites. You should insist that they either replace your boat, or your money back, plus interest.

Well I talked to my lawyer today that they were coming to "fix" the boats not replace them and he told me wait and see what they do Friday and we'll go from there.

I paid for a new boat and a new boat is what I will get. I'll get it the easy way or hard way.

[alarcher]

My dad was in a similar situation as this with an RV.  See if your lawyer can be there on the 6th, and have him "incognito" to serve as a witness and as more pull on getting a NEW BOAT (a more expensive boat at no more cost to you)! You two have suffered way too much... how many bass have you caught this year?  Triton is to blame for that!

Good luck guys.

[alabamafishin]

Well guys, looks like we got our porpoising boat fixed.  Triton sent a mechanic down from TN.  He took it out for a test ride, brought it back to the shop, put about an 8 inch long bead of weld on the first horizontal step-off at the back of the boat and that has seemed to fix our problem!  Never would have thought it!  We're now being able to get maximum speed with no "bouncing" even in the bends.

[alabamabassmaster]

Well guys, looks like we got our porpoising boat fixed. Triton sent a mechanic down from TN. He took it out for a test ride, brought it back to the shop, put about an 8 inch long bead of weld on the first horizontal step-off at the back of the boat and that has seemed to fix our problem! Never would have thought it! We're now being able to get maximum speed with no "bouncing" even in the bends.

Glad to hear your boat is fixed. This is the same thing I was told they did to my boat however I have not yet taken it to test it. I hope it fixes mine too so all this can be over. Will post once I take it to the river.