Pros and Cons of Triumph Ownership

[windowguy]

I understand your pain, mine went back to the factory, I still have 3 tops that are not right, one under the aft. seat wont lock down because of fit.
I had a overfoaming problem, bulges everywhere. How it got out the factory with a Quality sticker is beyond me!! And I will inspect every inch before signing papers on anything.
People I delt with @ Triumph are helpful and nice, But a big pain for me having to work with the problems........would have been nice to get a new hull
instead of these issues.
Call Triumph cust. service they need a wake up on their Q C. 919-382-3149

[woodNfish]

CRIMAR30, are you satisfied with any of these answers? How about the people who seem to be willing to put up with any kind of low-end QC garbage because they "just love their boats"? Considering the simplicity of these boats and the low quality of the QC all I can say is that if you have to love boating and all its benefits to put up with that nonsense because you sure wouldn't put up with it if it was your car. Boats truly are over-priced luxury items. Even the low end ones. And yes, I do mean Triumph.

I own a 17' Bass and I'm not happy with my very wet boat either. No dry storage anywhere. If you want dry storage you have to go to a different brand and it will be either aluminum or fiberglass. If I was looking for a first fishing boat knowing what I know now, I'd buy a Tracker. You get more boat for the same money and dry storage to boot. Just don't treat it like a bubba boat.

I've had plenty of experience with my boats construction as I have installed two fish finders, (one on the bow and replaced the original on the console), and two on-board battery chargers (my first one died.) I have also installed sonar heads, speedometer paddle wheels, and done plastic welding on my boat. And of course, I've pulled plenty of wires and had to deal with the rats nest of wiring under my console.

Now, some of you may be thinking I don't like my Triumph and you'd be wrong. I have and have had a lot of great times in my boat. It is my first power boat. But wisdom comes with age and experience, and when I am ready to buy another boat, I'll have a better idea of what I need and want.

Also, I have a 75hp Mercury two stroke on my boat. It's a great engine and has never given me any problems. I'd buy another Mercury without hesitation, but probably an Optimax or a 4-stroke. I want my next engine to be as quiet as my car's engine and I want better gas mileage.

woodNfish

[CRIMAR30]

Woodnfish,
When I bought my boat (170 DC) I was downsizing from A SeaHunt 186, mostly because I generally fish by myself, and it was just getting to be too big a chore for me at the boat ramp, loaded, it weighed in at around 2500#,and I'm in my 60's now with a bad knee.
I started reading about Triumph's, and at first I read about all the problems everyone was having with them and I became discouraged, reading this forum. Then I went and looked at them at a boat show, and noticed that fit and finish was not all the well done. I talked to the people selling them, and they agreed that fit & finish could be better, but convinced me to give them a try. So I entered into ownership knowing these facts.
What you say about dry storage is correct, if you want to keep anything dry, you had better put it in a plastic bag. I still don't understand why, after several years of manufacture, improvements are not being made.
I have not had many problems with mine, but I've only had it since March of his year, but it is much easier for one person to launch and retieve than my larger boat.

[arsmetal]

I just bought a 2007 190 bay a few months ago and have had a laundry list of problems with the boat. The dealer has fixed every problem with a smile.

My Father Inlaw bought a Key West and also had a laundry list of problems (actualy he had bigger problems than I did), so I'm pretty sure no matter what boat you buy your going to have problems. Just feel lucky that we have a lifetime hull warranty (the Key West only has 10 or so).

If anyone reading this is thinking about buying a boat let me tell you what lesson I've learned. Test drive, test drive, test drive and look it over 200% before driving it off the lot.

[woodNfish]

Yes, my boat is very easy to launch and I put it in places that people with fiberglass and aluminum boats won't go. Like I said, I like my boat, but it could be better - a lot better for the same amount of money. However, that will never happen as long as people let the manufacturers slide on the quality. If you don't push for it, you won't get it. Many people on this site are Triumph cheerleaders, but until they go beyond my expectations they don't get any cheers from me.

My loyalty extends only to getting the best value for my dollar. And I know Triumph monitors this site. So they might be interested to know that I am president of my local bass club here in New Hampshire and when someone asks me about a Triumph I give them my honest opinion and that often means I direct them to Tracker or another competitor. Too bad, but what is Triumph going to do to change my mind?

And yes, I know their people are friendly - of course they are - most people are. That is not a reason to buy a boat from them.

[fridaysoff]

arsmetal,
You hit the nail on the head. You have to "inspect what you expect", especially with boats. A lot of flaws can be covered up and go unnoticed until you use the baitwell, lights, etc. I have owned quite a few boats and I've had issues with every one. I have to admit I've had fewer issues and more pleasure with my 170CC Triumph than I have with all the fiberglass boats that I've owned.I was skeptical of the roplene technology in 2004 when I looked at the Triumph line of boats. I liked the theory of and the benefits of roplene. I purchased the smallest boat that would fit my needs because I did not want to lose too much money if it turned out to be less than advertised. I have thoroughly enjoyed my 170, so much so that I'll be purchasing a 190 Bay next year. The 170 rides like a 19' fiberglass boat. It's quiet and smooth, literally swishes through the water. It is lightweight and a perfect match for a four stroke Yamaha engine. Being on the water at daylight with calm winds is still a thrill to me. I hope I get as much pleasure out of the 190 Bay as I have the 170.I take care of my boat with preventive maintenance. So far I've been fortunate, not even a loose screw or baitwell pump going bad.I had to replace my tachometer but Faria sent me one free of charge and it was easy to swap out. My Triumph is what it is.It's not a Contender or a Sea Pro or an Everglades, but It's worth what I paid for it. My 2 cents!!
John D.

[stephan]

Hi ,Like I said in a previous reply in this thread. It is what it is and thats what makes it a good boat for me. Go price out a glass boat in the same size you will see a big difference in price. I have purchsaed new boats before and I have had major and minor problems with them. Things you dont see on your final inspection, things you find out only after your first season on the water. The truth of the matter is, we as boat owners tend to put up with a lot of things that we would never put up with if it was a new car [ believe me I was a mechanic for 17 years ]. This boat has been a lot of fun so far no real problems sure its wet sometimes and I have had a few screws back out, sure fit and finish is not the best. But Im rough with this boat. I have never waxed it, I only wash it with soap when I open it up in the begining of the season and at the end before I cover it, I have landed it on rocky beaches and bumped the dock [ hard ]. Try that with a glass boat and it will look terrible in no time.

[OspreyVic]

Like most humans, I have good days and bad days. Sometimes I feel GREAT and other times not so good. On this web site, it is hard to determine if the writer is having one of those not so good bad days.

Maybe, just maybe, we should all make a plus and minuses list about our plastic boats. On the plus side we could put not waxing, no gel coat to crack, etc. Then we could also list any negatives we have. On our 210, we have worked hard to remove or fix the items we had on the negative side (we realize that these are our personal opinions): We removed the factory installed and traditional OFF-1-BOTH-2 battery switch. We just do not like the way it works. We added a Blue Sea Systems 12 position with ground ATO/ATC fuse block. The factory installed fuse block is still in use, but not for our new electronics. For the two rear storage compartments, we added hatch support stainless steel springs to keep the hatches open for cleaning etc. We added a back support for the front of the center console. We have added or changed many other items in an effort to make the boat better for our use. Many of these we might have done to any other boat.

As I keep saying, in my opinion there is no such thing as a perfect boat. What may be just right for one person is not what the next person wants.

So when the negative side of the list gets to be so overwhelming, maybe its time to move to another boat or stop boating. If you do decide to get a new boat, keep the old list handy and start a new plus and minuses list for the new craft. You just might decide after a few years that the old boat was not as bad as you had thought.

[NJWardy]

Well said Vic!

[Thfireman]

Amen... Except I have decided my old boat was as bad as I thought it was and My new boat blows all my old boats out of the water even with its imperfections. I dont have a problem with the finish on the 195DC, No fuss finish. As for fit on my boat it seems very well finished and fit is tight but it is a wet boat, but so were all the others I have had, Including that piece of crap Tracker I paid for and regreted. It was a lemon. While other trackers were great.... Just my luck. I am not saying that Triumph is the King of Crafts but it is what I decided on for many personal reasons so no matter what another Joe says about my boat, It is the right boat fo "ME"! If he dont like it that is fine, He is entitled. I Dont like Tracker or Hurricains but it doesnt bother me if someone else does. I am happy and thats what matters. We all have the love of Boating in common and I will Hail a friendly waive to a Tracker Owner the same as I will a canoe or a Triumph owner. Just my two pennies worth.