Goofy Noob Questions

[Steve]

Greetings;

I'm looking at purchasing a used Triumph boat within the next month or two. Right now I'm fishing from a 14.5' jet boat, which is not exactly what the boat was made for.

I'm considering 15', 17' and 19' Triumph boats (I don't see the "Logic" in building boats from fiberglass, heh!). Here in southeast Georgia, we have the intracoastal waterway, as well as many rivers & creeks. I'd like to be able to fish the rivers and ICW, and maybe just a bit into the big water ("just past the jetties") on a nice day.

I expect to always be trailering, and to be doing most of the launching & recovery on my own. I do that now with my jet boat, and manage pretty well even when dealing with swift currents. I have a 6 cylinder Toyota Tacoma with tow package & LSD, so anything 15-19 foot should be ok for towing.

I'm concerned that a 19' might be too much boat for the rivers, and/or that it might be too much for me to handle alone, in trailering, etc.

How much difference is there, going from a 15' boat, up to 17 or 19, in terms of difficulties in launching & recovery?

Any other ideas, observations or suggestions would be appreciated...

Steve in SE Georgia

[cagrove]

Steve,
I have a 170CC that I use on large (Potomac) rivers and lakes. I have also used it for inshore/near offshore fishing and it has been perfect. I usually fish alone, sometimes with up to three other people, and while it can get crowded with four in the boat, two or three can fish very comfortably from it. It is very easy to launch and recover by yourself. The draft on the boat is a mere six inches...I've had it in water too shallow to use the trolling motor and it was still floating. I'm sure others will have different opinions but I believe the 170CC to be the best boat Triumph makes. Give them a serious look in your search.

Good luck.

[OspreyVic]

Welcome Steve.

Can't speak on size as far as your rivers are concerned.

Can talk about launch and recovery. As a "visitor", not sure if you can read the "Articles" section, but we wrote an article about launching and retrieving our 210CC.

We do NOT launch on the weekends when the ramps are the busiest, but as an OLD retired guy, I have no trouble launching and retrieving our 210CC. If one OLD guy can do it, then other folks should not have a problem. I also have to raise my radar arch, which is not the lightest thing.

We just take our time, follow a checklist of things to do on the boat before backing down the ramp, and have not had any problem's. I sure would not want to have done it by myself the first few times, but practice, repetition, and a checklist to follow make it easier.

Good luck in your search. We love our 210CC.

[glehav]

steve you realy need to try and look at all of them 15, 17 and the 19 you will be amazed at what just a foot more or two will do to the size of a boat. the 17 would be ez to put in the water by your self but the 19 is getting a little big to by your self. but you can allways take someone with you. its not very fun going by yourself anyway. all of the boats are great boats you cant go wrong with any of them. hope you soon are a triumph owner.

[BarryB]

Hi Steve, I tow my 170CC with a 2WD Toyota Tacoma with the 4 cylinder engine. I installed the tow hitch and transmission cooler. I have no problem with towing the boat and have never spun a wheel at the ramp.

There is a big difference in weight between the 17 and 19 footer, but, I believe you could launch either one by yourself. I launch mine by myself frequently.

I've taken mine out in 3 - 4 footers but it's slow going, not because the hull can't handle the pounding, the accessories can't. Of course, I will not fish in those seas, you bounce around like a bobber.

You may also want to consider the largest motor available for what ever model you choose. Nice to have extra HP available when you have lots of weight in the boat.

I went with a 2 stroke Yamaha 70HP because of how light the engine is on the transom. But, if you perfer better fuel economy, go with 4 stroke or the 2 stroke E-tec.Ask many questions, hopefully we can help.

Good hunting.

[Putershark]

You get the trailer bunks set correct and some PVC pipe covered guide ons that are mounted as far aft on the trailer as possible..., And you can drive that 190 (like any model) right off and on the trailer all day long even in cross winds making it a simple on man operation and not even get your feet wet

[BobW]

What Putershark said re: the guide-ons. You could self-launch & recover some pretty big boats with a bit of practice and a properly set up trailer. Just do your practicing on weekdays. Regarding "just past the jetties". My buddy & I took a 15 foot runabout just past the jetties one calm afternoon in Florida - Boynton Beach - a fair number of years ago. Two hours later the seas came up a bit to 2-4 feet, still fairly calm. We felt very very small in that boat in those seas. My advice is to get at least a 17 footer for calm ocean fishing. We ended up replacing the 15 with a 21. Good luck choosing! I'll be enjoying my 170CC in Vermont in a couple of weeks.

HTH,
BobW

[rscott]

I have a 195cc and often launch and retreive it by myself without any problem. I personally don't even think you need guide-ons. The way the trailer bunks are designed you can't possiblely
make a mistake unless your half a boat width off coming in. I have done it in strong cross winds and cross currents on rivers. I love the trailer as much as the boat.
Roger

[jebsr50]

Buying a boat is a big deal. I won't give you any advise on launching because that has been covered. For the size and type of boat I have the 170dc and find it to do an excellent job in the rivers, flats, and the Harbor here which can ,and often does , get very rough. Like Chuck I usually fish alone. I sometimes have 2 or 3 guys with me and have no problems. I did let a storm get between me and home last year but I can honestly say with this boat I was never in any danger. I've had many boats here in Fl. for many years and feel this is the safest boat I have ever owned. James

[Steve]

Greetings again!

Just want to say thanks, for all the responses.

I'd really like to grab a 17' Triumph----the 6" draft is very appealing---but 190's seem to be the only thing selling these days.

I'm going to take a look for a sticky on how to set up trailer bunks...gotta be one here!