Triton TR185 or ProCraft 185ProSC or Stratos 19XL

Chattanooga Fishing Forum

Help Support Chattanooga Fishing Forum:

dryhorn2

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 2, 2005
Messages
836
Location
Bradley Co. TN
Help me out here, which one should I get ?

03 Triton TR185 with 03 Mer.150 $ 15900.00

04 ProCraft 185ProSC with 05 Mer.150 $ 14000.00

03 Stratos 19XL with 30 200 EFI VMax $ 18000.00

Lets here it guys...
 
Well just from looking at the list the Stratos jumps out at me... You get more boat and more motor for $2,000-$4,000 more. On the low end I would pick the Triton over the procraft. The procraft is probably a heavier boat which would be a good ride in rough water. The triton would be an overall smoother ride though. What options are on the boats? It just kind depends on your what's in your pocket and what you're looking for. At least you have it narrowed down. I'm in the market too and I'm still stuck between a stratos, champion, ranger, and skeeter!
 
First off I will state that I am a triton man!!!! However, I have ridden in a stratos 19xl with a 200 vmax on it and I was disappointed in the ride, could have been the driver, but it was a very rough ride. I have never ridden in a tr185, but I have ridden in a tr176 w/90 (I think) and it was a pretty smooth ride and the front deck was big enough for 2 people to fish out of, smaller boat, but an 18 foot boat should be better than a 17 foot one!! I cannot comment on the procraft as I have never stepped in one of their boats. What about accessiories? What about warranty on the motor? I would definately take them out for a spin before buying.

Burger....why aren't you considering a Triton, did the ride in my boat scare you that much!!!!????emoPoke emoPoke

carl
 
<font color="#000066">A friend of mine has a procraft 185 and loves it, says it's very stable and handles rough water, but it's all in what you want. I would check and see if the motors have any warranty left, and look at the options. There's nothing wrong with a 150 but I've allways been a sucker to max'em out to whatever it's rated for. There's a good chance the 05' might have some warranty left</font>
 
Hey man...
Naw I wasn't scared.... I simply don't choose tritons because everyone and their grandfather has one. Honestly they ride ok but the chine walking is horrible is most of them. I think in the 07's they fixed that problem by moving the gas tank forward. The 185 and 17' both ride pretty good though. I been in every major boat brand made with the exception of gambler, nitro and maybe a few more. You can always find something you don't like about a boat. If the setup is right on a triton its a good boat.

I still haven't wet a line in pickwick yet! I heard it took over 20lbs in the strike king team trail to win weeks ago. You whacking them?
 
I have a Triton TR186 and love it. The chine walking is usually a driver issue and after enough seat time, you'll never experience it again.
 
well i own a allison and a stratos i prefer an allison over any boat the ride is wonderful but i love stratos they hande well in rough water but the ride stinks same way with the triton my pick is the stratos hands down
 
I've rode in the triton and stratos and liked them both,never been in a procraft.The longer the boat is the smoother the ride will be. I would get the boat with no wood in it if i was in the market, and the motor would be as big as the manufacturers horsepower rating.
 
I've never ridden in a Stratos or Triton but I have owned a Pro-Craft w/150 merc for past 20 years and I'm very happy with it. I'm sure I'd drive each of them and try and determine what the hours are on each of the motors along with checking out the overall condition and options. I'm sure any choice will net you a good boat. Personally with the price of gas these days I'd choose a 150 over a 200 hp. Good luck.
 
None of the above,

Triton- to much money for what you get, heavy gas drinker
Procraft- not built as good as they should, cut corners, very light, bad ride
Stratos- maybe

I wouldn't buy any of those, what you need is a Javelin 389 TE, you could save about $8000 dollars. I know someone who has one for sale too! emoBigsmile
 
I bet the TR-185 is rated for a 175 so with a 150 you won't get much chine walk, especially loaded with 2 anglers aboard!
 
dtw2 - 7/20/2007 4:43 AM

None of the above,

Triton- to much money for what you get, heavy gas drinker
Procraft- not built as good as they should, cut corners, very light, bad ride
Stratos- maybe

I wouldn't buy any of those, what you need is a Javelin 389 TE, you could save about $8000 dollars. I know someone who has one for sale too! emoBigsmile

Dude you can't be serious. A Triton for it's weight, is an efficient hull. Compared to other similar sized boats it is no worse and possibly faster.

A Procraft is a very heavy boat. It's only 60lb lighter than the Triton and it's 2" shorter. A Procraft has an awesome ride and comparable to the Triton, but as you said, fit and finish has much to be desired, as you would expect from Tracker.

For the record a Javelin IS a Stratos, and I'm not a fan of either.

If the Triton has an Optimax I would definaetly go with the Triton. Otherwise its a toss up.
 
I would go with the Stratos just because its bigger the 19 ft stratos will out ride and out perform the other 2. I would stay away from the procraft thats my opinion. Yamaha is a dang good motor to. The most important thing is get what you like your the one who's paying for it. I would recommend buying a new RANGER OR STRATOS from fishnfun.
 
I have only owned Tritons (two) so am totally biased. Before that, my starter boat was a BassTracker. Personally, I would stay away from any Tracker products (seem cheaply made to me). I have two close friends who also own Tritons.

Have not fished out of the other two boats so can't compare.

I do know Tritons have no wood construction and the hull, stringers, and transom all have limited lifetime warrantys (1st and 2nd owners). I will agree they are pricey but I don't mind paying for quality.

I love my MercOptiMax motor. Starts first time...everytime (unlike other brands I've had before). Do not agree it drinks the gas like someone previously wrote.

Anyway, my vote is for the Triton (obviously). Good luck with your decision.
 
If you want to look good buy a Triton, but you know what fish can't see the name on your boat. To much money for what you get.
 
dtw2 - 7/21/2007 2:08 AM Minner the last time I checked OMC made Javelin boats, just for the record of course. emoPoke
</p>

OMC also made Stratos & Hydra-Sports.  Those boats were designed by Earl Benz, I believe, who left to start Triton boats. </p>
 
I`m not sure that OMC exists anymore since it`s bankruptcy and the purchase by Bombardier. I`m pretty sure that BRP sold off the boating division of OMC not long after it was purchased. But I`ve slept since then so I may be wrong.

Anyway you can buy a nice Bullet for that money.....superior lightweight hull...excellent fit and finish...timeless styling....put any size engine on a 20 footer that suits your gas milage ......be done with it !!! My .02 cents emoPoke
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top