2019 Triton 18tx Review
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- Опубликовано: 11 июл 2020
- I purchased a 2019 Triton 18tx last fall and after 11 months, I feel like it is time to give my boat review. :) Join me and let's look at my likes, dislikes, recommendations, upgrades, etc. I hope you enjoy my honest in-depth opinion. Thank you!
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Another update to this video. I have contacted the marine dealer where I purchased the boat and they are replacing the seat entirely. :)
Great Video!! Doing these reviews helps other people make a great way of helping people choose there perfect boat! An it so let’s the builders know what they need to improve on. An the dealers honest with fixing issues that you have for free. Thanks so much!!
@@johnburris5927 You are extremely welcome. thank you so much for watching the video and let me know if you want some other type of video specifically about this boat. :)
That's great and they very well should....u say the boat was competitively priced but still alot of $$$ so good for u...
@@JB-pg6ju thank you, John!!!
great review. Thanks for taking the time to point out these things. currently have a stratos 17' f&s that I'm looking to go more specific fishing boat, and this is very helpful.
Thank you for the compliments. I hope you get the boat of your dreams. Boats are so expensive it is crazy. Good luck!
I agree with you 100 💯 percent on the graphs and the trolling motor. I made the exact same mistake with my Tracker
It kills me. I just can't swing the extra $$$ right now, but I hope some day to put a unit at the bow, and get 2 at the console. They don't have to be 12 inch units, but maybe 10s??? Thank you for your comment. :)
Your right on the towing capacity. I tow my deep v aluminum boat with a half ton 1500 series pickup truck.
Definitely don't need a 2500. I have a small tractor I tow around, so that is just what I have. Thank you for comment, Midge. :)
Good Review!!! I have the 2020 18 tx it is well worth it. I'm running the same engine with the 22 tempest 48 mph at 6100 rpm. Enjoy it and tight lines!!!
Thank you so much for the comments. I was thinking about going to 23, since I don't care too much about hole shot speeds, and more top end. :) Thank you for that info about the 22 tempest.
Did you see the other video where I put a 19 pitch Solas prop on it? That is awesome for low end take off. It will put you back in seat. :) I just did it for fishing shallow water. Going back to the 21 soon.
@@PaulsOutdoorAcademy Just checked it out. I bet that 19 pitch would put you back in the seat. You could even hear it was letting the engine open up real easy.
@@Chris351971 I now actually have to really watch the RPMS. manufacturer says no higher than 6200 WIde Open, but if I don't specifically pull it back, it goes way over that. :)
You make an excellent point about the electronics and trolling motor. Having a Solix 12 at the console...or bigger...is a game changer. So is having an Ultrex with not only spot lock...but LINK...that allows you to mark a waypoint on your Hummingbird at the console and tell the trolling motor to automatically take the boat exactly to that waypoint and spot lock on it. You also have Garmin LiveScope which is another game changer. So Solix 12 at the console, 9inch Helix at the bow (to locate waypoints), 12inch Garmin Unit for LiveScope and an 80lb Ultrex with Link. You are easily looking at $10K. And if you want PowerPoles, well add a few more thousand. A new boat cost a small fortune these days...plus insurance...plus maintenance...plus fuel...tackle...etc. The boat becomes a money pit. That's why I like to find used boats with under 50hrs on the motor that already have the Ultrex and maybe a 9inch Helix. Not only can you negotiate price with a private seller, but you don't have to worry about "Dealer Prep" and "Destination" charges. Most motors have transferrable warranties and even transferrable hull warranties...like with the Ranger RT188. Nice boat by the way!
Thank you, Jay, for your comments and you are SOOOO right. I sometimes think I might have been better buying a slightly used boat until I knew exactly what I wanted, and then maybe buying the new one, or do what you suggested and just buying an almost-new one. I know nothing about maintain these boats and I was terrified I would spend thousands and thousands on a boat which had hidden issues. I wanted to buy a boat that would last me a lifetime and I knew its history from day 1. So this limited me to new, but I still think there are TONS of good used boats to be had for sure. Thank you again for watching and for your comments.
Thank you all for the comments and questions. I was away for a week, sorry for the delay in responding. :)
Great video! This will help a lot of people. I’m currently buying a crestliner PT18 and decided to bite the bullet and have them swap out for an ultrex and two helix 8’s. It’s hard to do but figured in the long run it would be worth it. And like you said it’s easier to finance it all than try to convince the wife that you need to spend another 5 grand after after spending 30 on the boat lol.
100% Agree with you and 100% envious of you. :) I think you will be beyond happy with that setup. being able to spot lock and just focus on fishing a location would be the most fantastic thing to me. I have repeatedly kicked myself in the butt for not going that way. I have the Helix 7 and non-spot lock, so going to your setup would cost me dearly, but hey, maybe the wife will give in to me one day. HAHAHAHAHAH Thank you for your comments.
I heard this in another video: "I wish I had gotten a smaller screen said NObody"
@@lsnead72 EXACTLY!!!!
Welcome to the Johnny Morris Ranger/Triton era. I had a RT188 built by Ranger that was really nice and had real nice fit and finish. Sold it 6 years later and only loss 8K on purchase price. Moved up to a 150 class tin and bought a Tracker 195 TX and I can tell you the fit and finish on it sucks. That moisture in your boxes is from the lids condensation and it happens quite a bit. Most guys were gluing foam under the lids and it seemed to help a lot. I also used one of the back boxes as a cooler as it has a drain to the hull and the box is entirely foam insulated.
Thank you, Joseph! Awesome information to hear. I looked at the 175 and 195 both before going to Triton. In fact, I went to buy the 175 and the dealer talked me into the Triton 18tx. Good info on that moisture info.
Excellent job on this video, excellent information.
At the point you said God Bless, I subbed.
Keep up the great videos, looking forward to seeing more from your channel.
dale
Thank you so much for your subscription to my channel. God is awesome!!!! I know that for sure. Thank you for your comments. :)
I have the exact boat but a Ranger Rt188 and I have the likes and dislikes. Of it too. I was gonna do a video also but saw a few people beat me to it. The seats if you call up triton I believe they reupholstery yet sense Triton boats is owned by Ranger and tracker group. I liked your video and you are right about financing but no electronics you got to know when to stop at. I made the mistake to put a Helix 9 on my console but a 7 at the bow. I too run a 70 lbs of thrust of minn Kota I like to up grade but it will be a while. Thanks for the video
Thank you very much for the comment, and it is funny how many times I have been on the lake and go by the RT188 and that driver and I look at each other. We realize we are in nearly identical boats. I still haven't upgraded but eventually.... :) I hope to.
Definitely spot lock is a necessity for me. I have a terrova on my Jon boat 😆
Great review.
If I could go back in time, there is no doubt I would have purchased that to start with. Thank you for your comments. :)
Thanks for the great review my story sounds about the same as yours I also bought a new boat 2019 G3 Sportsman 1710 the price was right also I’ve done a lot of upgrades I also have the same depth finder but I did buy two of them and they are network ing it’s nice if I make a waypoint it automatically shows up on the other one I also put a Minn Kota Fortrex up front and wished had gone with the Ultrex you have to know that you’re going to keep your boat because you’re never going to get it back not sorry at all the only complaint I have with my boat is the fit and finish, I think Yamaha could have done a better job with that the Yamaha f90 is a beast especially the holeshot it gets 40-41 top speed which is fine. Very happy. Ed
Hi Ed! Great comments. I added the whole kit and kaboodle last fall. Ultrex, two gen4 birds and networking. It is so nice. I am going to try to add MK Raptors in the next couple months. I will video that process.
Amen on the spot lock - I agree 100% As for the units - do yourself - super easy and dont pay the dealer premium and installation costs!
That is great advice. I fished Chickamauga today and in the wind it was ridiculous trying to keep the boat in one spot. I am definitely going to have to get a couple units, and the sooner the better. Thank you for your comments, I do appreciate them. :)
Hey Paul, great video... I have the 2018 TX 18 and love it! I only catch and release, but would like to know from you how to work the live-well? The documentation is terrible. I have a Tempest plus 24P prop and it runs great. I've sense upgraded my fish finders to lowrance 7 Ti2 on the dash and a 9 Ti2 on the bow and added the Motorguide Xi5 trolling motor.
Hi Don. I will certainly try to get you a video of how I use the livewells as soon as I can. Thank you for your comments.
I love the honest review!!! I'd love to know the ax handle story! You seem very mild mannered, hard to imagine something escalating that bad with you
To make a long story short... It all started with me trying to friendly and saying Hello to another boater. No Reply from them at all, so I made some silly comment about the shad being in the area and hoping to catch some. He mumbled under his breath to which I replied "Sorry I couldn't hear you" and then he went ballistic. I have never heard so many cusswords in such a short amount of time. He was livid that I tried to talk to him. Sounds impossible, but it is the honest truth. I made a re-enactment video of the entire thing, but I made it private because people didn't see the humor in it, like I did. :) If you want to see it, I will send you a link.
@@PaulsOutdoorAcademy sure I'd love that! I'm goofy too😂. That's the one thing I dislike about fishing, there are some real whackjobs out there, arrogant, bitter folks. I very seldom ever encounter that hunting. But have many times fishing.
One crazy incident that happened to me I was drop shoting a hump and whacking them good, and a boat saw this . Came over right where I was casting and threw an anchor about 5 feet above his head right on top of my fish🤦♂️. I counted to twenty and tried to make small talk , they acted like I was invisible. I trolled over where they had been fishing and pulled a nice one out. Then one dude started cussing me , saying he was going to slash all my tires ect. I just left. I was getting to mad . I try harder to get away from people than I do catch fish anymore
Awesome video man.
Thank you so much! I have been fishing several times lately with it, and hope to have some new videos soon. Thanks again!!!!
My 94 xpress trailer just like it i sharped the bolt and drilled a dimple for the bolt to go in so far last 2 years hasnt moved any
That is good to know. I finally have it tight enough it will not come off the boat, but it is still loose and I can rock it around. I need a welder. :)
Great video! I am going to look at some 2020's this week. Can you say if 4 months later now that you still love it? Thanks!
I am very happy so far. Triton replaced my seat, so that is good. I haven't had any issues yet, but probably only have about 80 hours of use on it. That is a guess, it isn't much. If you live anywhere close to East Tennessee, you are welcome to come check it out and go for a joy ride to see if you think it is what you are looking for. :)
on your plug turn it backwards first till you feel the threads mesh.
you know, I actually try to do that. It seems to twist sideways when I go backwards, looking for that sweet spot. It seems so odd. Thank you for the advice. :)
With the livewell switch in auto it works off a timer. It should run 5 min or so and then shut off. In manual it just runs all the time
Thank you, John. I am going to eventually make a video of how I use everything. :) Thanks again for your comment.
I think your right but at the time of buying your thinking about the monthly payments and how much more all the stuff adds up too, but 5 or 6k could raise your payments by a lot
I know, my wife and I were focused on how to buy the boat without a huge impact to the monthly payment. I am happy with the boat, and may eventually add some extra goodies, but they will have to wait for a bit. :) Thank you for your comments.
My seats split also you need to put a safety chain on the front
It would be a good idea. Thank you!
Great video! I am boat shopping now. Can you answer one question? Is the boat total welded aluminum like the Ranger or just aluminum hull like the Tracker? Thanks!
All aluminum
Tracker is mostly aluminum as well...with only a small amount of wood in the deck
Yes, all Aluminum from what I see. Look at this information: www.tritonboats.com/aluminum/18-tx.html
tracker is all welded aluminum even the classic xl model . tracker has only i area with wood its the casting deck in the front , the back deck is all aluminum 👍
I would hope you took this back and made them fix all this stuff.
I could tell you things which would make you freak at how bad the service has been at the dealer where I purchased my boat. :) The definitely took care of the seat, but it is a very long story and ended up costing me nearly 1000 dollars. Wish I were lying. Before you panic, it was time for my next service check and that was part of the cost. The other part is the long story. I do have a new seat, that is the good news. :)
On the trailer bolt I would get longer bolt grade 8 with nut and put the nut on the bolt all way up then screw bolt all the way in and tighten then run nut down and tighten
I will definitely try this, as it is still loose to this day. I tightened it down an insane amount and it still came loose. :) Thank you!!!!!
@@PaulsOutdoorAcademy might even put 2 nuts and yes sir not a problem
@@mikenelson1130 I am about to create the 2 year old Triton 18tx review. I am having some issues with Triton and I think folks should know what they may be getting into with these boats. I hope to have that soon.
How much do you wish that there was a step (cooler) going up and down the front deck That seems like a big step down into the cockpit
Great question. It doesn't bother me so far, but I bet as I get older, I will end up with something there. This is my first boat, so I don't have anything to compare it to, and that may be why it just seems natural to me to step down. First time I fall down, yep, we got a problem, hahahha I will have to think about what to put there..
I don't get the seats because they look flimsier than what is on my Tracker. Isn't it the same company?
They seem to be very well made, but the stitching just isn't holding up. They finally got my replacements in, and they were the wrong ones. I am still waiting TODAY for them. pitiful. I thought Tracker, Triton, Ranger, etc. were all made on same line these days, but I am not positive. :)
Ever make a decision on the trailer (weld)? Got the same issue with my '17 Triton/trailer combo....
I have a friend who told me he would weld this for me, but I never got around to him. After the video was made (and I talked about how hard I tightened it and added lock tite) It never came loose again, but you can still wiggle that support bar. I can't hand-loosen the tightening screw/bolt, so it is definitely tight. However, the bar can be moved. So the weld is proving to be necessary in my opinion. Also, something about the trailer is worrying me. The boat is sitting quite a bit lately due to weather. I noticed when I look underneath, the Axle appears to be too weak for the amount of weight of the boat/motor. I don't have it overloaded by any stretch of the imagination, but I am noticing it looks like the wheels are bowed out, like the axle is overloaded. That worries me a tad. Do you notice anything like that?
@@PaulsOutdoorAcademy so, heres the deal with my trailer. The original that came with the boat lost a tire while towing (literally the whole tire assembly came off the hub), worked with my dealer and insurance for an upgraded replacement (4" frame, 14" wheels, LED lights), I ended up replacing/upgrading the winch and jack several months later. My only issue is the winch post coming loose like yours. Nobody (insurance adjuster or dealer) could say for sure why the original trailer had a tire come off. Anyway, if I look real good I feel like you, I see a slight bow, but I keep check the air pressure in the tires regularly and check the tires for uneven wear...all is good. I wouldn't be concerned unless you can think of a situation in which you may have damaged the the axle, hub, leaf springs, etc somehow.
@@bzeigler207 Thank you for confirming that for me. I am going to try to take a video of mine and do a follow up review. I am supposed to be getting that new seat any day now. :)
@@PaulsOutdoorAcademy Yep, if you ever need to jack up the trailer: "lift at the axle by the spring and the wheel stud torque will be 90 ft lbs." That came from Marine Master.
You know, I don't know why that winch stand is designed the way it is, with the bolt, why not weld to begin with?
@@bzeigler207 Good advice and Thank you! My only thought about the trailer is if it was made to support more than one boat maybe? Thank you for all your comments. :)
I had 2009 stratus 486fs with exactly the same live well system and I never could figure out exactly how to set it up with the empty auto recirc crap...seats should definitely not be coming apart that fast
I had someone request a video, so I will get one going as quickly as I can. I have about 8 videos in a queue to produce, so it may be a bit. I will spend the time to figure it out. I was using it very successfully the other day to keep SHAD alive. That is usually difficult in a livewell, but it was working. Thank you for your comments. :)
@@PaulsOutdoorAcademy I actually sold my Stratos so I'm good at this point but thx a bunch anyway 👍
Are the cimpartments lockable?
Most of them are. The rod locker and lockers on the front are all lockable. The one beside motor is lockable. The others aren't. Does that help?
That boat looks identical to the Ranger RT188. I wonder if they are made in the same factory?
From what I was told, yes they are. But the Triton is a tad cheaper. :)
Yep Triton and the Ranger RT's hulls are both made in Flippin, Ark.. The interior is a bit different but overall structure of the boat is the same.
@@ddm62571 thank you for the info!
I've heard that Ranger aluminum boats have been bought out by Johnny Morris, not sure about Triton.
@@lsnead72 I "think" they are all grouped together now from what I understand.
Put a mark on the plug we’re the threads start that’s what I did on mine that way you can start it quicker
Thank you, Warren! It does seem to be getting easier with age. :)
No problem my boat is a 19v triton. How big is your engine.
@@warrenfarmer4787 It is a 115 HP Merc ProXs. Lots of fun. I need to move to a 23 pitch prop I think, as I run out of RPMS with a 21. I have quite a bit of throttle left, but can't go higher due to 6200 Throttle Max. I mean, I can, but book says 6200 or less.:)
Mine is a 90 hp yours has the max hp motor you can put on it mine is really under powered
@@warrenfarmer4787 I have been very happy so far.:) Hope this thing lasts forever. Only time will tell. :)
And I was thinking the axe handle was to beat on the flat tires it of anger because there’s no spare. 😂
HAHAHAHAHHAHA That's hilarious. I definitely need one.!!! :)
I would add a spare and safety cable. Overall great boat
I definitely need a spare. There are two safety cables mounted at the front, for connecting to truck. I don't recall if those are shown in the video or not. :) Thank you for your comments.
@@PaulsOutdoorAcademy I meant a safety cable connecting to your boat and trailer. I only see a winch strap but I think you need another for safety reasons. There is a hole/hook spot on your trailer for it
@@PaulsOutdoorAcademy Watch "Boat Safety Chain" on RUclips
ruclips.net/video/UyQw6zQvPFs/видео.html
Just in case your winch somehow gives out.
Thank you! I watched it. I don't know why I have never seen this setup before. Interesting. I can see where that would save your butt if that strap failed. :) Thank you again!!!!
If you took the decals off it would look like a tracker.
Yep they look like the tracker and Ranger. Someone told me they are all built on the same line. Recently saw the Ranger 198 Rt and it looked nearly identical
What’s the storage length?
My garage is 21.5 feet deep and it BARELY fits. Even with the motor down and the breakaway tongue disconnected, I had about 5 inches of spare room. So, it's pretty long. :)
@@PaulsOutdoorAcademy Mine is 20'4" I wonder if I put it in a slight angle might still work. I'm thinking of getting this or the Lowe Legacy. I would rather have the bigger motor though.
@@visualkeirockstar You will be happy with more motor. I didn't think I would care, but there are days I wish I could add 5 more MPH while traveling further. :) I would think you definitely could get it to fit at an angle.
@@PaulsOutdoorAcademy I’m now looking at the Crestliner XF189 it can go up to 150
sweeeet!!!!
I just bought a 21 ranger rt … very similar boat…
AWESOME! You are going to love it. Did you get the 150 HP Merc on it? I know that was an option on the RT in 2019, but I didn't want to spend the extra $$$. I wish I could get about 10 more MPH on mine. :) Congrats.. I am about to do a two year review on mine. ...
@@PaulsOutdoorAcademy I got the rt 178 needed to be able to fit it 8n my garage 75 hp was the max…
@@charlesconnor1737 You are gonna love it, regardless of how fast you can go. Best of luck and happy fishing...
I have a 2003 Triton 186 Magnum dual console the seats in that boat were trashed in less than 6 months the replacement seats that Triton provided free we're also junk the consoles our spaghetti splatter fiberglass complete junk mine are split everywhere! Somebody mentioned a step cooler to get up on the front deck my boat has that it's absolutely worthless other than a step in a trash can I would never advise somebody to buy one of these Triton aluminum boats my boat has also had a leak in it from day one and I cannot figure out where comes from the fuse panel is up underneath the driver's console where you cannot get to it it is impossible to check your fuses I would not recommend the line of Triton aluminum boats no matter the cost
I appreciate your comments. So far, I am happy with my purchase, even though I have little issues here and there. The seats are definitely an issue. I still don't have them. They sent the wrong ones and we had to start the process over. Not sure why that is taking so long, but assume covid-related. It is my understanding that now the boats are designed/built like the Rangers and even may be made on the same assembly line. Thank you again for your comments. Sorry you had such a bad experience.
haha an axe handle, that was a surprise. Why not a baseball bat? Would an axe handle do much damage? Thanks for the great review!
That is too funny... The reason I kept that is because I had called my brother (who was meeting me to go fish) and told him what was going on. He met me at the dock and was ready to crack the dude's head if it came to it. This crazy guy was really just so angry. Oh well, nothing I could do but go around. :) Thank you for your comments and I am about to make my 2 year review any day now.... :) hopefully you will get to see it too.
My wish list, LOL
I will say, I had to finance it for a long time to make the payments work out. After a while, I refinanced for a much shorter term and took advantage of better rates. I hope to have this boat forever, but who knows. :) Hope you get one some day!
Triton will send new seat covers under your warranty.
Hi David. You are absolutely correct. The dealer has them waiting for me. :) They had to close for two weeks (Covid related) but when they open, I am supposed to go get them. Maybe I should create a video of me swapping them out ? Thanks for your comments.