Cant Decide; 2005 191F/S or 2005 190 Bay

Well after over a year of trying to figure out what kind of boat I want to go with I am psyched to be looking at Triumph Boats. I am looking at pre owned boats in my area. The main two I am looking at are a 2005 190 Bay with a 2006 Yamaha F115 and a T-Top with barely 80 hours on the motor. The other boat is a 191F/S with a Mercury Saltwater Series 115HP four stroke. I'm a huge yamaha fan but mostly from their ATV's and Motorcycles, and have had great expierences with them. I dont know if the power should be my deciding factor. The prices on both are the same, the boat will mostly be used in the New River area of NC and the intercoastal. This is my first boat I'm not big in to fishing, and my family's comfort is important to me I have 2 girls 10, and 5 years old. So any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Jesse

[OspreyVic]

Jesse, you have asked a VERY tough question. That is probably why no one else has responded.

One of the deciding factors on the purchase of our 210CC was the size of the “Mega Hold” in front of the center console. That allows my wife to have her porta pottie and unless another boat is right next to us, no one can see when my wife is using it. She certainly did not want the confined spaces found inside center consoles of boats this size.

We could have gone smaller to fill our other needs, but other Triumph models did not have a spot for wife’s pottie.

Every now and then I have to remind myself that “If Mama ain’t happy, then no one is happy”. Using that rule, you might ask your girls and their mother for their input.

Based on your post, you will be happy just being with family on the water. Wish we had purchased a boat when our kids were your kid’s ages. One of the worst mistakes I ever made was waiting.

In that both hulls should have a transferable warranty; one factor might be the amount of warranty left on the motors. We love our Yamaha, but other engines can do the job.

Good luck in your search.

[BarryB]

Hi Jesse,

Osprey is correct. Keeping mom happy is a BIG deciding factor. If I could fit a larger boat in the garage, I would have gone that way.

My boat looks big in the garage, small in the water. If you can afford a bit bigger, you may want to go that way.

Look at the Triumph web site and compare the specs between the 19 foot bay and the F/S. Then look at the 21 footer. That extra 2 feet means much in storage, and with kids, you need lots of storage.

As for motors, I think both Yamaha (I own) and Mercury are both great. Which one has a warranty and can it be transferred?

Take you time, do your homework, and you'll be happy in your decision.

Good luck and keep us informed.

[HighTechRedneck]

I just got a 2005 191 f/s and love it. I was up in the air between the 191 f/s and the 195cc. I took my first mate (Wife) to go look at the boats and when she sat in the front of the 191 the decision was made. She loved the front deck. I call it my mullet boat. Party in the front, fishing in the back. We fish lake michigan and have been pretty happy with it. My only gripe is that my 2005 191 does not have a self-bailing cockpit. I am looking at putting a floor drain in. I have a yammy 115 and it seems to be a great motor. If you have a choice i would go with a 150hp. The 115 is very slow out of the hole and in big water hard to get on plane with 4 people in the back. hope this helps

good luck

[Putershark]

Tough question, but if you are not into fishing then the 190 bay is not your boat in my opinion for it is purpose designed for skinny water fishing. The engines though (if I am not mistaken) are both Yamaha's since Mercury did not build it's own 4 strokes for the most part until they came out with the Verado.

[BigBird]

Glad I didn t have to make a choice like that. I only had an option at a used 190 bay. Which boat does the family like?
The 190 bay was a great upgrade from my two person or 1 adult -2 kid skiff. I tried out my new bay with 2 adults and three teenagers. Everyone was comortable even during the rain-with all under the bimini.
Handled great even in the high winds and a choppy lake. Boat handled the waves at WOT, eventhough they waves were trying to dislodge depthfinder from the ram mount.
Have fun-it is nice to have options.

[JimW]

Jesse,
As you say you are not into fishing much, and you have 2 girls that you want to keep comfortable, it seems to me the best choice would be the 191f/s. I had an 18' bowrider I/O (similar to the 191f/s setup) when my two girls were your girls ages and we loved it. Now that they are grown and I enjoy fishing we have now gone to our 170cc. I have owned both merc and yami (now) and they are both fine motors.

Jim

[nymart]

Jesse,
I may be partial here since I own the 2005 191F/S but from my skewed standpoint I would agree that the 191 is probably the better choice. If your not that into fishing it is a great boat, with room for plenty and it's very comfortable. I have a 14 year old son and we fish, tube and ski with mine all with my wife comfortably riding in the front or next to me. Just hard to beat this boat in my opinion. Oh and when you do get into fishing (how could you not ) just leave the bow cushions at home, move the seats around, put down the back seats and it becomes a fishing machine capable of handling just about anything. ENJOY

[MolarBoater]

Fish and Ski, although it is a little underpowered but OK for tubing and pulling the kids.

[fridaysoff]

Fish and Ski with the 150HP
JD