Boat Upgrades

[Quarry Man]

Recently purchased a 2007 Triton VT 19 w/ a 2007 Mercury Optimax 90 hp. Boat is rated for a 135. It came with two 8' PowerPoles, 80lb Fortrex, and two 7" Humminbirds. Boat is in pretty good shape for the age. Previous owner stored it outside so the carpet is wearing out.

 

I have already installed a 9" Garmin w/ a Ram mount at the console and added some small accessories. My main question is whether or not it is worthwhile to invest a lot of money into the boat? I fish lots of shallow lakes so having a light draft is needed, my main reason for aluminum over glass. Will be added a big glass boat in 6-8 years when I am done with school. I plan on keeping the boat for a while if it continues to run well. id estimate condition is 7/10.

 

 

Here is a list of upgrades I have in mind oil no particular order:

 

- 150 hp mercury, 2012 or newer, not used in salt water

- Spot lock trolling motor to connect with units (likely not 36v due to powerpole pumps

- seadek to replace carpet

- 12" graph up front, 12" graph at console, keep 9" Garmin for quickdraw contours

- hotfoot and hydraulic steering

- repainting/wrapping the boat

- Repairing the seats

- bilge pump install

 

my only complaints with the boat is that it is not very deep, makes it less storage space but still enough, and sucks in really rough water, I also wish it was in better shape but thats ut of my control.

[Vilas15]

4 hours ago, Quarry Man said:

My main question is whether or not it is worthwhile to invest a lot of money into the boat?

I wouldn't use that word since you're unlikely to get much of that money back at all if you were to sell it. Everything on that list other than the bilge pump and repairing seats is what I'd consider an "upgrade" over something you've already got. Everyone will tell you to fish it for a year or two before making any drastic changes. Save the money up for your glass boat if that's your plan. It's fun to do upgrades but are any of those really going to catch you more fish? Maybe the spot-lock trolling motor and that's it. If you put more money into the boat than what you bought it for I'd say that's a pretty dumb idea. Coulda just boat a boat twice as nice to start with. Save the money.

 

Edit: Dont put a 150 on a boat rated for 135. If you injure someone in an accident you're screwed.

[Shimano_1]

If the boat is rated for a 135 I wouldn't put a 150 on it. Besides obvious reasons it may be hard to sell if its over powered. Id fish it for a lil while and see what your plans are for it. If you know you're going to upgrade in a few years I'd hold off on everything I could get by without.  Those are nice boats tho and if you decided it was all you needed then I'd proceed with the upgrades

[A-Jay]

22 minutes ago, Quarry Man said:

Recently purchased a 2007 Triton VT 19 w/ a 2007 Mercury Optimax 90 hp. Boat is rated for a 135. It came with two 8' PowerPoles, 80lb Fortrex, and two 7" Humminbirds. Boat is in pretty good shape for the age. Previous owner stored it outside so the carpet is wearing out.

 

I have already installed a 9" Garmin w/ a Ram mount at the console and added some small accessories. My main question is whether or not it is worthwhile to invest a lot of money into the boat? I fish lots of shallow lakes so having a light draft is needed, my main reason for aluminum over glass. Will be added a big glass boat in 6-8 years when I am done with school. I plan on keeping the boat for a while if it continues to run well. id estimate condition is 7/10.

 

 

Here is a list of upgrades I have in mind oil no particular order:

 

- 150 hp mercury, 2012 or newer, not used in salt water

- Spot lock trolling motor to connect with units (likely not 36v due to powerpole pumps

- seadek to replace carpet

- 12" graph up front, 12" graph at console, keep 9" Garmin for quickdraw contours

- hotfoot and hydraulic steering

- repainting/wrapping the boat

- Repairing the seats

- bilge pump install

 

my only complaints with the boat is that it is not very deep, makes it less storage space but still enough, and sucks in really rough water, I also wish it was in better shape but thats ut of my control.

The actual hull & motor are the Main players  ~

Their condition & serviceability usually determine if expending additional fund to up grade is 'worth it'.

Can't 'upgrade' the hull - so that's where it starts & ends for me.

If you believe it's in a condition that will last until you can get into another rig - that may help you make you decision.

The motor obviously can and often is 'upgraded'.  

Doing so is often a good way to bring an older rig back to life.

Again, the hull's condition plays a role for me. 

BTW - why are you looking at a 150 hp when the rig is rated for a 135 hp ? 

Didn't mention the trailer at all, which can't really be over looked.

 I'd put my first upgrade $$ into ensuring it was safe & reliable, well in advance of anything mentioned above.
Can't fish if you can't get the boat to the ramp & back.

Good Luck.

A-Jay

 

 

[WRB]

Is the boat covered by insurance? Over powering voids the insurance and doesn't increase speed much do to the hull shape.

90 hp Optimax is it a 4 stroke? 

Tom

[Jig Man]

You must have pretty deep pockets if you can do all of that and manage school.

 

It sounds to me like you plan for this to be an interim boat.  If that is the case, my recommendation is to fix things needing repair and skip the big ticket items.  Since you have power poles do you need spot lock?   If the 90 is working, I wouldn’t change it out.

 

So from your post I’d do pump, carpet and seats.  That alone may be a couple of grand.

 

Plan on getting $.25 to $.50 on the dollar for your upgrades when you sell or trade the boat (for example, when I traded my Champion in I had 2 Lowrance HDS 9 and a 12.  They only offered $600 for all three.  I gave a 9 to a friend and sold the other two for $1900.).

[GaryH]

3 hours ago, Quarry Man said:

Here is a list of upgrades I have in mind oil no particular order:

 

- 150 hp mercury, 2012 or newer, not used in salt water

- Spot lock trolling motor to connect with units (likely not 36v due to powerpole pumps

- seadek to replace carpet

- 12" graph up front, 12" graph at console, keep 9" Garmin for quickdraw contours

- hotfoot and hydraulic steering

- repainting/wrapping the boat

- Repairing the seats

- bilge pump install

Thats a lot of $ to spend. Probabaly 12K t0 15K for a boat that you don't sound crazy about. I would go with some of the advice from above and do the essentials an see how the boat works out.

[Quarry Man]

6 hours ago, Vilas15 said:

Dont put a 150 on a boat rated for 135. If you injure someone in an accident you're screwed.

hull is same as the newer cresting vt series, which is rated for a 150. Putting a lighter two stroke will be just fine

 

6 hours ago, Shimano_1 said:

If the boat is rated for a 135 I wouldn't put a 150 on it. Besides obvious reasons it may be hard to sell if its over powered. Id fish it for a lil while and see what your plans are for it. If you know you're going to upgrade in a few years I'd hold off on everything I could get by without.  Those are nice boats tho and if you decided it was all you needed then I'd proceed with the upgrades

it fishes great, love the deck space and layout, just wish it was deeper. I fish a lot of shallow waters where a glass boat is not ideal. If I upgrade id get a glass boat and keep this at the lake.

 

6 hours ago, A-Jay said:

The actual hull & motor are the Main players  ~

Their condition & serviceability usually determine if expending additional fund to up grade is 'worth it'.

Can't 'upgrade' the hull - so that's where it starts & ends for me.

If you believe it's in a condition that will last until you can get into another rig - that may help you make you decision.

The motor obviously can and often is 'upgraded'.  

Doing so is often a good way to bring an older rig back to life.

Again, the hull's condition plays a role for me. 

BTW - why are you looking at a 150 hp when the rig is rated for a 135 hp ? 

Didn't mention the trailer at all, which can't really be over looked.

 I'd put my first upgrade $$ into ensuring it was safe & reliable, well in advance of anything mentioned above.
Can't fish if you can't get the boat to the ramp & back.

Good Luck.

A-Jay

 

 

think I can repair the small things like stripped holes on the steering panel access or holes in the deck from drilling and bent latches?

again, the newer crest liner vt series is the same hull and was rated for a 150, so a newer 150 2 stroke is no issue

 

trailer is in great shape, needs a tail light and new tires within the next year

6 hours ago, WRB said:

Is the boat covered by insurance? Over powering voids the insurance and doesn't increase speed much do to the hull shape.

90 hp Optimax is it a 4 stroke? 

Tom

boat is insured, will check with insurer or get it re rated. motor is a 2 stroke

 

6 hours ago, Jig Man said:

You must have pretty deep pockets if you can do all of that and manage school.

 

It sounds to me like you plan for this to be an interim boat.  If that is the case, my recommendation is to fix things needing repair and skip the big ticket items.  Since you have power poles do you need spot lock?   If the 90 is working, I wouldn’t change it out.

 

So from your post I’d do pump, carpet and seats.  That alone may be a couple of grand.

 

Plan on getting $.25 to $.50 on the dollar for your upgrades when you sell or trade the boat (for example, when I traded my Champion in I had 2 Lowrance HDS 9 and a 12.  They only offered $600 for all three.  I gave a 9 to a friend and sold the other two for $1900.).

would like to ultimately store the boat at my lake house for use in shallow water and electric only lakes. power poles are nice but im trying to learn offshore stuff hence the desire for spot lock and electronics stuff. Resale value is big, but less so if planning to hold onto it for a while.

 

3 hours ago, GaryH said:

Thats a lot of $ to spend. Probabaly 12K t0 15K for a boat that you don't sound crazy about. I would go with some of the advice from above and do the essentials an see how the boat works out.

I realize I can't get it all so soon. Will do carpet next year along with big motor, then add a 12" graph, all after the bilge pump of course

[OnthePotomac]

With a 150 hanging on it if you are ever boarded by a game warden, or coast guard you will be in deep trouble.

[MN Fisher]

54 minutes ago, OnthePotomac said:

With a 150 hanging on it if you are ever boarded by a game warden, or coast guard you will be in deep trouble.

^ This - if you go over the rating printed on the sticker or plate, it's asking for touble. The USCG makes those ratings for a purpose - overloading the boat either on weight/person capacity or horsepower makes it 'unsafe at any speed'.

 

While it's not a federal violation to exceed capacity - different states have different laws on that and you should find out what the penalties (if any) are for that.

[gim]

The primary issue with putting a bigger motor on the boat than what it is rated for is two fold: safety and liability. A bigger motor generally weighs more and thus may compromise the hull/transom of the boat. Second, if you ever get into an accident, you’ll be liable because you went too big. Your insurance won’t cover you either.