Have a chance to buy a 2003 triton tr176 with a 115 evinrude

[timoteov]

Have a chance to buy a 2003 triton tr176 with a 115 evinrude

I’ve never owned a boat but this boat seems perfect for a first time boat owner. Does anyone have experience with these boats and is there anything I need to look out for? TIA

boat seems fairly well priced at 6500 and appears to be in fantastic shape. 

[gim]

With an rig that old the primary issue is going to be the outboard. I would have a mechanic look at it before purchasing. Also, if it’s an e-tec, you may have some trouble finding a shop that can work on them now.

[timoteov]

115 hp Evinrude Bombardier fuel injected motor. Side says ficht ram injection.  I was wondering what the closure of evindrude meant for the motor 

[WRB]

Excellent 17’6” bass boat with good storage and dry comfortable ride. The single console model passenger side rod lock will hold rods to 8’.

Don’t know anything about the engine. I would have the engine checked out by a good outboard mechanic, powerhead and lower unit. Make sure the trailer wheels/ bearings are in good condition probable get new tires.

Hopefully the boat hasn’t been in salt water and was garaged.

Tom

[GPtimes2]

Look for obvious things like, worn carpet, soft spots in floor, dull finish, faded seats, cracks in fiberglass (especially corners), rusty trailer. Most of these indicate it was kept outside. Look for dry rotted tires. Tap on the transom with your fist knuckles and little pushing on in to see if it has any give in it (from water rot). And if can take a screw or two out from maybe a transducer to see if water comes out is also bad, especially if it is dark colored.

[slonezp]

Evinrude is no longer in business. Don't know how much longer you will be able to get parts for it.

[timoteov]

3 hours ago, slonezp said:

Evinrude is no longer in business. Don't know how much longer you will be able to get parts for it.

Which is by far my biggest fear boat looks awesome but not sure if I’m just asking for trouble

[airshot]

The big question is...is the boat worth repowering?  Known fact is the motor is questionable, so just how good is the boat really !?  Looks dont mean much, if it were an aluminum hull then you know it isn't rotted, but something to seriously consider.  At 20 years of age, that is about the time it would start if there were any.  Very carefull inspection is needed!!  If your serious about it, mabey even spring for a marine survey, could be the best few hundred ever spent !!

[timoteov]

16 minutes ago, airshot said:

The big question is...is the boat worth repowering?  Known fact is the motor is questionable, so just how good is the boat really !?  Looks dont mean much, if it were an aluminum hull then you know it isn't rotted, but something to seriously consider.  At 20 years of age, that is about the time it would start if there were any.  Very carefull inspection is needed!!  If your serious about it, mabey even spring for a marine survey, could be the best few hundred ever spent !!

I’m not sure the guy would wait. He’s got like 20 other people commenting to be next. Boat is 6500 with spotlock Tm and older helix 8 graph 

[airshot]

Well....are you a gambling man ??  Your call, boats can be a very expensive hobby !!  Read up and do your own testing for wood rot, you can find anything on the internet nowadays...   Good luck !! 

[timoteov]

Thanks for all the advice! I decided to pass after calling around and finding no-one who could work on it if something goes wrong.

[Way2slow]

I can, but I ain't around.  You made a good choice in bypassing on that motor.  I personally would have no problem, because I know them well, but at the at the same time, while Bombardier made significant changes and upgrades to that motor when they bought OMC out, the early ones still have their share of problems and all of them require a lot of special attention that most users don't know about and most are too lazy to do.  That motor does not like being stored for more than a couple of months without being run (they don't do old gas every well) and doesn't like to be hammered down on a cold start, that can make them do bad things.

[airshot]

1 hour ago, timoteov said:

Thanks for all the advice! I decided to pass after calling around and finding no-one who could work on it if something goes wrong.

Think you made the right call !!!  For future reference you might consider looking at aluminum hulls, the only wood is in the transom, easy to see and easy to replace if needed.  Outboards can be tricky, find someone with motor experience to go with you...

[WIGuide]

On 5/22/2023 at 11:05 AM, timoteov said:

Thanks for all the advice! I decided to pass after calling around and finding no-one who could work on it if something goes wrong.

I think you probably made the right call. Gambling on a boat with a FICHT Evinrude isn't an overly sound financial decision. Sure it could be a good one, but there's a reason boats with them are normally listed for less with those motors and newer Evinrudes. If they were the older carbed models those were good motors, but unless you're incredibly skilled like @Way2slow you're better off staying away.