Updated: Pull The Trigger On An '02 Triton Tr-185 Or '05 Skeeter Sx180? (Updated W/pics & Info On Pg 2)

[MN Bassin' nOOb]

I've had a few posts regarding my hopes to buy a new bass boat soon.

For the same price, same condition, basically same electronics...would you guys go with a '02 Triton TR-185 or a '99 Ranger R83? Same length, both have Merc engines ('04 150 xr6 on Triton, '99 175 efi on Ranger). Dual console on Ranger, single on Triton.

After some negotiating with each guy, both are set at around $9,700-9,900. Decent deal?

Either way, I'm looking for whatever insight you guys can provide on both models. Thanks!

EDIT: Ranger is now gone. Check last posted for new information and advice!

[the crab]

I would go for the Triton. It's newer, and it will most likely be a lot faster. I'm not positive about the R83's, but in general Rangers are usually slow with a couple exceptions.

[MN Bassin' nOOb]

I would go for the Triton. It's newer, and it will most likely be a lot faster. I'm not positive about the R83's, but in general Rangers are usually slow with a couple exceptions.

I really appreciate your response...would your answer change knowing the Triton was owned by a pro and the Ranger isn't? Also, the Ranger has a higher HP engine; wouldn't that typically be running faster?

[00 mod]

Why does the triton have a newer engine/ Was the pro hard on his stuff, blew it up and had to get a newer one? Much more info is needed to make a quality decision!

Jeff

[MN Bassin' nOOb]

Why does the triton have a newer engine/ Was the pro hard on his stuff, blew it up and had to get a newer one? Much more info is needed to make a quality decision!

Got it, I'll make sure to ask. Is it pretty atypical to have a newer model engine on a boat like that?

[00 mod]

Its not always a questionable thing, but for a pro to have a newer engine yes! most pros get new boats every year.... If it was a leftover boat bought 2 years later, then that is a reason for a newer engine, but it raises concerns for me. I wouldn't worry about speeds either, like the op suggested of a slower boat. just my opinion though!

Jeff

[Jig Man]

XR6 is carb and they typically are a bit hard on gas.

If it were me, I'd take a look a them and see how the storage boxes, rod locker, and deck work out for you equipment and style of fishing. Something else to consider is the dual vs single console. I hate fishing with guys who only have a single console.

If you haven't done so already, go to www.nadaguides.com and look up both units and see what the average retail is for them. Just off the top of my head the listed prices seem a bit high.

[South FLA]

I would take an older boat that was well taken care of and was garage kept over a newer boat that is not, consider the trailer, accessories package too.

[barroncooper]

that xr6 is a hell of a motor. I think they'll both burn a LOT of gas. I know for a fact the xr6 does but it's pretty fast too for a 150. with all that said, to answer your question, I'd probably go with the triton. 25 hp on the same hull might get you 3-5 mph difference. correct me if I'm wrong

[MN Bassin' nOOb]

Wow...thanks for all of the responses so far! As long as no one tries to get these boats from me , I thought I'd include both ads on Craigslist

Let me know what you think!

#1) Triton

#2) Ranger

[barroncooper]

the ranger looks good too but I'm going to have to stick with the triton for 1: it's a newer boat, 2: i cant stand dual console boats. the other console takes up so much room and I almost always fish by myself. 3: hds 5. the ranger is a longer boat and may have a wider deck and a better trolling motor but I'm gonna have to stick with the triton.

[MN Bassin' nOOb]

the ranger looks good too but I'm going to have to stick with the triton for 1: it's a newer boat, 2: i cant stand dual console boats. the other console takes up so much room and I almost always fish by myself. 3: hds 5. the ranger is a longer boat and may have a wider deck and a better trolling motor but I'm gonna have to stick with the triton.

I hear you on the single console vs dual.

Regarding NADA pricing, here is how they come in:

Triton: $22,300 new, currently $8,000 to 9,130 (low retail to average retail)

Ranger: $23,500 new, currently $8,000 to 9,110 (low retail to average retail)

So basically, they are identical when it comes to the NADA price and what each is willing to accept. Both look to be above NADA, but also include electronics, trolling motors, and trailers that aren't included in NADA, correct?

You can see why they are so close in my mind...anyone with experience on both exact boats, or similar boats?

[Jig Man]

I've ridden in both brands the Triton will probably outrun the Ranger but Tritons can be squirrely with a lot of chine walking. You can't beat the fishing platform of a Ranger.

[MN Bassin' nOOb]

The Ranger was traded for a Mustang by the time I got back to him.

I connected w/the Triton guy on his TR-185; the engine is actually original supposedly. The boat is an '02, but sat on the marina showcase floor for a couple years before it sold and didn't have an engine. The guy bought the boat in '04 new, and they put a current motor on it when he bought it (don't know if this is typical or not).

He isn't willing to come down under $9,800 on it. The NADA is between $8,000-9,100 (low to average retail), but he is including the HDS-5 and newer recessed 82 lb Motorguide trolling motor that he put in?

Also, he just had the compression tested this morning, and it came back between 135-140 (!) on all cylinders...which frankly seems almost unbelievable to me after 8 years?! He said the mechanic that tested it said a couple of them have under 3% loss. The boat hits 61 empty, and around 57-58 mph under tourney load (he said Fury prop is unreal, and he hasn't even seen any chine walk in the thing).

Here's the thing, he just bought a new Z-8 (he made the local Nitro team this year), so I assume he's already out that money. I wonder if I should just offer something lower (which he said he won't take), or should I just pay the $9,800 asking price? It seems high, given the NADA, but maybe the electronics and compression boost the price? I know the carpeting has seen better days, and will likely need to be replaced in the next few years.

What do you guys think?

Also, I came into a spotless 2005 Skeeter SX180 locally w/ an '05 115 Merc XR6 that is mint as well for $10k flat. I assume the Triton is a better rig, but what do you guys think I should do?

[00 mod]

I would think the skeeter is a better rig but somewhat under powered. I like the idea of the newer boat and spotless with no need to upgrade the carpet if you can sacrifice the speed. What electronics and tm on sweeter?

Jeff

[MN Bassin' nOOb]

I would think the skeeter is a better rig but somewhat under powered. I like the idea of the newer boat and spotless with no need to upgrade the carpet if you can sacrifice the speed. What electronics and tm on sweeter?

Jeff

Getting details on Skeeter...doesn't look to be anything that nice, especially no HDS-5. They both were basically identical retail prices.

Do most prefer Skeeter over Triton on here? My concern, being in MN, is we can get some rough water up here in the spring/fall. I've heard that the Skeeters are pretty wet boats...my other major concern is a 115 hp pushing an 18 footer...I figure the 150 is probably much better, although the TR-185 is a 19' vs 18' on Skeeter.

Current prices:

Triton: $9,800 ('02 TR-185 w/'04 150 hp Merc XR6, HDS-5, recessed 82 lb Motorguide, compression 135-140 on all cylinders)

Skeeter: $10,000 ('05 SX180 w/'05 115 hp Merc, unknown electronics, 67 lbs MinnKota I believe, unknown compression)

Triton was $23k new retail, now NADA $8,000-9,100 low to average.

Skeeter was $21,500 new retail, now NADA $10,200-11,600 low to average.

Triton has a 91'' beam (1431 lbs),

Skeeter has an 82'' beam (1270 lbs).

But when I say the Skeet is clean...here is what I mean:

I'll get pics of the Triton up soon. What do you think? Go with motor, speed, size and electronics on the older Triton? Or get the slightly newer but more wet Skeeter for about the same price but with weaker motor, size, and electronics (they are both one owners)?

[the crab]

You'll never be happy with a 115 on that boat and you'd always wish you went with the Triton.

[00 mod]

Skeeter is very clean, but the motor is a little under powered! I'm not all about super speed(my current is a 1648 with a 25, because my private club is a 100 acre oxbow) but I have been in the underpowered glass boat situation and it is not fun! I guess it all depends on where you fish, ling runs?, and if you can get the price right. You never said if the skeeter guy is willing to go lower....but the triton guy is dead firm.

Jeff

[MN Bassin' nOOb]

I guess it all depends on where you fish, ling runs?, and if you can get the price right. You never said if the skeeter guy is willing to go lower....but the triton guy is dead firm.

Jeff

Mostly MN lakes, most of which aren't huge to be honest. I'll be on Minnetonka quite a bit, which is 15,000 acres, but most lakes I fish are in the 2,000-3,000 acre range. The Skeeter guy is firm at $10k too.

You guys are probably right, the lower hp on the Skeeter seems to be the glaring weakness right now...

[Lund Explorer]

Mostly MN lakes, most of which aren't huge to be honest. I'll be on Minnetonka quite a bit, which is 15,000 acres, but most lakes I fish are in the 2,000-3,000 acre range. The Skeeter guy is firm at $10k too.

You guys are probably right, the lower hp on the Skeeter seems to be the glaring weakness right now...

It's not just glaring, but darn near fatal!

You guys should still have soft water so I would suggest taking it out on one of these 2k-3k acres lakes for a test drive. Pickup one of your 250lb buddies, throw in a bunch of gear, and head for the downwind side of the lake. Get down to idle speed, turn into the wind, and throttle down. Then repeat those steps with that Triton.

When you get back, tell us how far it took you to get up on the pad for each.

[Shawk]

I've had a few posts regarding my hopes to buy a new bass boat soon.

For the same price, same condition, basically same electronics...would you guys go with a '02 Triton TR-185 or a '99 Ranger R83? Same length, both have Merc engines ('04 150 xr6 on Triton, '99 175 efi on Ranger). Dual console on Ranger, single on Triton.

After some negotiating with each guy, both are set at around $9,700-9,900. Decent deal?

Either way, I'm looking for whatever insight you guys can provide on both models. Thanks!

EDIT: Ranger is now gone. Check last posted for new information and advice!

Well???

[J Francho]

Underpowered? The Skeeter maxes out at 130 hp, and is actually a 17' boat. I wonder how much more 15 hp is gonna buy you? My 18' Xpress with a 115 runs 53 mph and weighs 230 lbs. more than the skeeter. BTW, 2000-3000 acre lakes are really more like ponds. How fast you need to go?

[J Francho]

The bigger question.....why is a Yamaha boat repowered with a Mercury?

[Jig Man]

{Here's the thing, he just bought a new Z-8 (he made the local Nitro team this year), so I assume he's already out that money.}

Not necessarily. There are lots of "team deals". The really good ones provide a boat with deferred payment for 1 year. Then the new boat comes and last year's boat is due and payable upon delivery of the new one.

There are few people who realistically expect to get the asking price for a boat or car. I'd pick a number and go with cash in hand. Green stuff has a way of making a deal.