Which to buy Xpress, Triton, or G3 ?

Started by shsbulldog, April 10, 2007, 05:35:30 PM

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shsbulldog

I am looking at a 18 foot in all three brands. I have studied the pro and cons to all of them. I am definitely thinking best price the G3 I like is the HP180 with a 4 stroke Yamaha 115 but it is priced high. The Xpress I like is the X18TS with a 150, and the Triton Magnum 186 with a 150. If anyone has one of these three boat please give me your feedback.

greg hall

Xpress all the way I was going to buy one before I found my TR20 glass boat but have heard all good things about Xpress Triton tin boats are a little high priced I think.I would get a X19 w/200.

coldfront

I've been dreaming and looking hard at those three for a couple of years...here's something I've gleaned...but it's from competitive dealers so it 'may or may not' be correct/true

G3:  love the layout, fit, finish.  'Heard' that it's structurally laid out with longitudinal structure which 'may' make it more prone to porpoise
Xpress:  like this boat, all around.  a guy in my club has one...great boat...always wondered why they couldn't get a prettier weld, though and while the flare on the sides helps a dry ride, I wish it were a little less...
Triton magnums:  love thise boats...all the way around.  But yeah, you can pay more for this tin boat than glass...but if money weren't an object, I believe the 176 or 186 magnum would be my boat of choice...Xpress second...

that's me...

g3mike

i looked at the same tree boats and chose the g3 hp 180 with the 150. the triton;s fit and finish was not that good, exposed screw heads, it cost to much, the overall package seemed cheap. the xpress was good but it just did not feel right, the welds were ok at best, the trailer seemed cheap, the wiring was shotty. i looked at the g3 last and after a good look, i was sold. it wound up being the cheapest price, and had the best fit and finish. it also has the best warenty. since yamaha makes the boat, they stand behind it. when i have issues i contact yamaha and the next day the parts at my door. even 3 years later they covered a part under warenty, and gave me the option of getting the version used on the boat now or the one i had. Itr does not get any better than that. as for performance, i would guess its pretty close between the 3, My boats gps at 65mph, full tank 2 batt. hole shot was 2.34 seconds with worked prop.
mike c

BassBUFF

My Father-in-Law owns a G3 and I'm impressed with the quality of the boat in general! If I were to ever get an aluminum this would be the braand I'd drop $$ on!

Herdbull

I bought a G3 last March. I've looked at, did my homework and fished in a lot of different aluminum boats over the years and I'd have to say the workmanship, quality, stability and performance is exceptional. I'm very happy with mine and would definitly buy another. Everyone I know who owns one is very pleased with it. My $0.02.

kw4570gov

I own a 2000 model Xpress X-21 and if I were to buy a new boat today It would be another Xpress. Now when I purchased mine Triton was not making tin boats so I cannot comment on them.

Kent

knight13

I have a 2006 185 Eagle with a 150 VMaxx 2 stroke I love it the dealer gave me an incredible price out the door. I've fished it all winter with no problems what so ever. I looked at the Triton and Express and the dealers were really proud of there boats. (that was southern for expensive) I wish it had a little more storage in my boat but thats the only complaint I have. GPS speed is 62 M.P.H cant beat that in a tin  boat! Good Luck in your quest.
Any day on the lake is better than work
US Army MP Of the Troops For The Troops

guardrail

I HAVE A G-3 HP-200 WITH A 150 FOURSTROKE  AND I  HAVE NOT BEEN EASY ON IT FROM LAKE ERIE TO THE OHIO RIVER AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS YET.  YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING BY LOOKING AT ALL YOUR OPTIONS  BUT BEFOR YOU DO BUY LOOK AT THE DEALERS TO SEE WHAT KIND OF REP THEY HAVE AS FAR AS SERVICE AND BOAT LOAN PROGRAM IF YOURS GOES DOWN. ALSO GO TO THE G-3 WEB SITE AND YOU CAN SEE HOW THE ARE MADE AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS THEY ARE EASY TO GET IN CONTACT WITH. EVEN AFTER YOU BUY THE BOAT THEY STILL ANSWER QUESTIONS LIKE THEY JUST HELPED ME OUT AS FAR AS THE NEW COMFORTROLL THATS OUT THERE AND BEING SOLD  I GOT INTOUCH WITH G-3 AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NOT TESTED IT AND MAY VOID THE WARRENTY ON MY BOAT IF I INSALL IT.

xpress115

I have a xpress x60 with a 115 yamaha and i have no complants my boat has been in every were from the gulf of mexico up and down the mississippi river and all the lakes in between i havent found any water yet that i was scarred to put it in .

Nyk

I would love to have a tin!!   One of these three are my choices as well.  I really like the Triton but just like everyone has said $$$$$$.  Dont know..  Not ready to buy yet anyway, just really want one..  Hope what ever you get works out for ya.

Nyk

coldfront

Quote from: Nyk on May 10, 2007, 12:11:29 PM
I would love to have a tin!!   One of these three are my choices as well.  I really like the Triton but just like everyone has said $$$$$$.  Dont know..  Not ready to buy yet anyway, just really want one..  Hope what ever you get works out for ya.

Nyk

That VT series seems a decent option as well..

mgtaylor10

I have a Triton VT 17 WITH A 50 HP MERC....I have had it for about two weeks now..If I had to do it all over again I would have bought the 19 with the 150.Dont get me wrong I love my 17 but I made two mistakes one was to only put a 65 24vt trolling motor on it. This is not enough power for those windy days on the big lake.2nd is the need for speed..50 hp is just not enough Im already upgrading to the 90...Other than that the boat is great.

greg hall

Quote from: mgtaylor10 on May 11, 2007, 12:01:24 PM
I have a Triton VT 17 WITH A 50 HP MERC....I have had it for about two weeks now..If I had to do it all over again I would have bought the 19 with the 150.Dont get me wrong I love my 17 but I made two mistakes one was to only put a 65 24vt trolling motor on it. This is not enough power for those windy days on the big lake.2nd is the need for speed..50 hp is just not enough Im already upgrading to the 90...Other than that the boat is great.
man thats going to cost some $$$ to upgrade ,like I have told people before max out the boats HP or you will be dissatisfied!

Shayne

I bought a Lowe last spring.  I looked at the Triton and Xpress, didn't really like either.  The dealer that I bought from lost his Mercury/Lowe line and replaced it with the G3.  I know nothing abouth that one, but I did look at the others and ended up with my Lowe.  I've got the Lowe Stinger 175 (17'5") and love it.  2007 Lowe is making  190 and 195 models.

coldfront

Quote from: greg hall on May 11, 2007, 12:18:32 PM
...like I have told people before max out the boats HP or you will be dissatisfied...

I might change that to ...and you will not be dissatisfied...but truer words were never written...and the intial talk about wanting a bigger trolling motor?  dead on as well.  I run a 16 foot aluminum (very small boat) with a 24 volt MinnKota...would love to have gotten the 80plus...ran it this past weekend off one charge...fished thursday a couple of hours, Friday all day (8 hour tournament) and Saturday (6AM-6PM)...got home and the batteries (Walmart Everreadies) were only down about 1/2...but there are days when I want more than 'top speed' to try and hold position in the winds down in KS/NE...sure the boats smaller...but that lighter boat also blows around a bit easier...

6 of one, half dozen of the other...


Fishline

#16
I have a 2004 Triton 186 Magnum w/150 Merc XR6. I wish had not bought it now. Problems with the dealer knowing how to fix it, the motor, the boat, and the trailer.  Oh yea! I forgot the the trowling motor was wire backwards and on 12 volts. The heads on the motor have blown twice. Even though they warranty the heads with some talking, I had to pay for installation. On the boat the rod tubes broke. poor rivet job. The buttons on control panel went out. The livewell siphons completely if I push the pump-out and turn it back off or if I running on the water. They try to fix it but now I have a leak. Have to install an automatic bilge pump  to keep up with the problem. Had to have one weld job but the boat still leaks. still can't find it. Compartments leak. lost a lot of equipment due to moisture. Had to have the trailer welder on the bumper post. Its not heavy duty enough. Replaced the the tires after two months.  Brought a new Motor from a different dealer. I got only a $4500 trade in. Should have traded in the Heads. They cost more. Had a few more problems. Still haven't even paid for the boat yet.  I have to look at the bright side, I'm still fishing.