Buying a used Triumph

[JaxBoater]

I am looking at a 2002 Triumph Bay 190. It has a 90HP Suzuki 4-stroke on it with (allegedly) 50 hours. Until today I knew nothing about Triumphs, but in doing some online research they seem quite impressive. I am looking for feedback on the Triumphs....the good, the bad, and the ugly. Is there anything unique to Triumphs I should look for? Is the 90 adequate? The dealer says I should get about 35 MPH due to the hull design and weight.

Thanks in advance for your help! I am driving down state to look at and possibly make the purchase Friday morning.

Richard
Jacksonville FL

[OspreyVic]

JaxBoater.

Welcome to the site. Best suggestion I can give is to just start reading. You can read on this owners site all the good , the bad, etc.

My only complaint? Wish I would have purchsaed my Triumph sooner.

Read what others have already said about their boats. As owners, we are not selling new boats to anyone. We like not having to polish and how the boat can take rough treatment. We like knowing you can fill the boat with water and she still will not sink. So many advantages.

Good luck on your search.

[MolarBoater]

Jax,
The 90hp is on the minimal horsepower side but is a good engine and you will get good mileage on a tank of gas. Definitely keep the weight in the boat down to 2-3 people, etc and don't plan on adding a T-top/electronics box but keep it light. You really need to have a sea trial with 3 people in the boat and a full tank of gas etc to see how it planes with just a 90hp.

The 2002 Bay 190 should have two bow concavites on the outside of the hull about where the trolling motor battery compartment is on the deck. Pay close attention to them when doing your hull inspection for cracks as well as any of the thru hulls and drains.

Make sure all the cusions are present for the seats, fishing chair on bow, baitwell drain pipe and turn on the well pump and bilge to make sure they run. Triumphs are real user friendly to working on in the backyard but they are a little different and the more you can read on this site the better.

Finally, get the hull serial number and call Triumph directly and have them confirm that you can transfer the lifetime warranty and for how much? It could be a deal breaker or maker. If not transferrable, you should be able to negotiate a lower price....maybe substantially.

Good luck and ask questions,
MolarBoater

[JaxBoater]

Thanks for the replies and the information. I did call Triumph today and the warranty is transferable, the fee is $300.00. I asked about the motor and they did say a 115 would be better. I am interested to see how the 90 performs. 95% of the time it will just be me and the wife or me and a fishing buddy going out. And no plans for a T-top, just plan on adding a trolling motor and batteries, which will add some weight. We'll see how it handles Friday morning. If all goes well it will be following me home Friday afternoon.

[JaxBoater]

Well, after a 300 mile round trip, a long day, and some last minute haggling I am now officially a Triumph owner . Guess I need to update my profile . My worries about the 90 HP were quickly eliminated. With 3 adults onboard it popped right up on a plane. The ride was very smooth and dry, and a nice tight turning radius. And the 4 stroke....OMG, I am now and forever a convert....no smoke, no vibration, and QUIET!

And thanks to this forum I knew what questions to ask and what to look for. It does have the retro-fit ball scuppers that drain straight out the back. No inner hull drain (yet), but there is a Triumph dealer here in Jax if that becomes an issue.

There are some minor things...I noticed several of the screws on the hatch to the battery compartment were pulled out. They gave me a flexible "welding rod" (Ropolene?) and said I could melt some in the screw holes and reset the screws. The latches in the front hatches did not work, they gave me 2 complete new sets to install. And the motor cowling needs some attention...but I think some rubbing compound and a coat of wax will bring back the finish. And I will be replacing the gunnel rod holders and installing a trolling motor. Guess I better get busy searching this forum!

Thanks again folks, I'll post some pics soon as I get her all cleaned up.

Richard
Jacksonville, FL

Congratulations Jax. I'm sure you'll get many enjoyable hours on your boat!

[NCangler]

Congratulations!

Congratulations on your new ride.

[MolarBoater]

Welcome aboard. See ya on the 190 Forum.
Molar

[JaxBoater]

Thanks folks. We took the maiden voyage today, despite the less than perfect condiions. The wife is out of town next weekend so she really wanted to get out today. So, despite the 50 degree temp and the wind, we went out on the St. Johns River.

In retrospect, it was really the perfect day to test out the Triumph. Despite the chop it was a very smooth ride. Dry, for the most part...except when I hit a 2' wake from a big trawler. I was able to duck behind the windshield, but the wife was not so lucky. She looked like someone threw a 5 gallon bucket of water on her. But thankfully she is a good sport and laughed it off.

Here are a couple of pics. As you can tell, it was pretty chilly on the water. Looking forward to wamer, sunnier days ahead. And REALLY looking forward to the shrimp run this summer!