Triton 17 Pro

In the Triton fibreglass range there are several general-purpose boats known as 'Fish & Ski' boats in the US, but most models are aimed at the competition bass angler.

The US bass boat market is huge and serviced by a number of boat manufacturers. In Australia our home-grown alloy V-nose punts and open boats (from Quintrex, Savage, Stacer, etc) remain the most popular types of boats for inshore fishing, but this has started to change in recent years -- particularly with competition anglers. Many of the gun fishermen on the bass and bream scene are now using sleek, fast and well-equipped fibreglass bass rigs -- such as the subject of this review, the Triton 17 Pro.

The 17 Pro is the smallest model, but it is not short on features or equipment. Compared with most locally made craft, the Triton is positively loaded with standard gear -- to the extent that the boat is ready to go fishing straight off the showroom floor.

In the US the Triton 17 Pro is sold as a standard boat from which buyers can add a large range of options. For the Australian market Nitro Marine has opted to offer a deluxe model only -- a package with just about all of the features and equipment available for this model.

The features list is extensive, and includes a bow-mount Motorguide 46lb thrust electric trolling motor (with recessed deck foot control and 12-volt deep-cycle battery system with onboard charger), Lowrance Mark 5X Pro fish finder, massive bow and stern casting decks, 136-litre live fish well with divider and three 800 g/ph pumps, two large, carpet lined (and lockable) rod lockers, ice box, bow chair and stern lean-seat, lockable tackle storage (rear deck), retractable foredeck rod strap, stainless-steel deck hardware, boarding ladder, keel guard, automatic bilge pump, an array of sub-floor storage lockers, a full boat cover, foredeck trim switch for the main engine, motor cowling cover, and pneumatic deck lid pistons which hold the deck hatches open.

With the above inventory you would expect the BMT package to come in well above $50k, but that is not the case. With a 115hp Mercury Optimax Pro XS two-stroke outboard and single-axle braked Dunbier trailer, the Triton 17 Pro is priced at just $39,990.

Options available include hydraulic steering, a higher-thrust electric trolling motor (Motorguide or Minn Kota brands) with twin batteries and 24 volt power, and a companion or passenger console unit to match the helm console.

Triton’s Zero-Flex stringer system is used in conjunction with a full-width transom which has a high strength polyurethane material called Tri-Core used as the core material. All vacant spaces in the hull are then foam filled to achieve a Level Flotation standard.

In addition to providing flotation, the underfloor foam adds rigidity to the hull and dampens hull noise for a quieter ride.

The single, starboard side helm console in the Triton is neat and functional. The engine gauges are clearly visible from the very comfortable seated driving position.

Plenty of leg-room is available under the console and the sports steering wheel and throttle are well positioned.

The Plexiglass windshield is a bit ineffective, but it does look the part.

On the dash there is just enough panel space for the included Lowrance Mark 5X fish finder. If you want to upgrade to a bigger-screen sounder it would need to be mounted elsewhere on a bracket.

The helm and passenger seats are deeply padded and comfortable. Between the two main seats is a third, removable seat. The back-rest on this middle seat folds down for use as a step from the helm area to the rear deck.

Underfloor, immediately aft of the middle seat is the 136-litre live well. It has a central divider so that the single large well can convert into two separate live wells.

Three different 800 g/ph pumps run the live well. The first, which can be operated using a timer, pumps water into the live well from outside the boat. The second pump is used to re-circulate and oxygenate the existing water within the well. This boost in oxygen in the recycled water keeps your catch fresh and lively. The third pump is for draining the water out of the live well at the end of the day.

On each side of the central live well are storage lockers that are designed to take lift-out tackle storage drawers. They were not fitted to the test boat.

Further aft is a locker that provides access to the trolling-motor battery (or batteries in the case of a 24 volt system), as well as the engine cranking battery, onboard battery charger, and the automatic bilge pump.

At the transom you’ll find Triton’s award winning Res-Q Boarding Ladder. The two-rung ladder is completely hidden from view when not required, but will drop down from the transom once a lock is released.

Moving to the pointy end of the Triton you’ll find a large casting deck with bow-mount electric trolling motor perched off the port side. From the included pedestal helm chair, the trolling motor is easy to operate using the recessed in-deck foot control.

Other key features include large, carpet-lined rod lockers to port and starboard, a central storage locker, and a small ice box with a hatch cover that doubles as the step up to the foredeck.

There’s also a retractable rod strap on the foredeck to secure your rods to the deck while underway, side-mounted bow cleats (so they won’t snag a fishing line), and an additional rod storage system to port, alongside the passenger seat.

Like many other US made trailerboats, the Triton 17 Pro does not have an anchor well. As a result, the anchor and rode will need to be stowed in one of the two rod lockers or in the centre foredeck storage box.

Also missing from the Triton were rod holders, so you will need to add these to suit your fishing application.

The mechanical steering was a bit firm on the test boat, but the Triton was still fun to drive as it was easy to manoeuvre through high-speed turns, maintaining a solid grip on the water. Through the turns the hull sits quite flat and with minimal lean angle. It felt safe, solid and surefooted.

The Triton 17 Pro comes to Australia packaged with the maximum power outboard, a 115hp Mercury Optimax Pro XS. This is the sports or high performance version of the 115hp Optimax. The Pro XS is claimed to offer a higher wide-open-throttle operating range so you can fit a wider range of propellers to maximise performance.

To this end, the test rig was set-up for competition smooth-water fishing where it is important to have a high top speed. Swinging a big 21" pitch stainless-steel propeller, the Triton achieved a speed just shy of 44 knots at 5600 rpm.

With the big propeller fitted, the Triton was a little slow to plane so I would recommend a slightly smaller, 19" pitch propeller for better all-round performance. You might lose a little top-end speed with a smaller prop, but low and mid-range acceleration would be improved.

I would consider the Triton as the next step up from a deluxe outfitted alloy V-nose boat or open boat -- and it won’t cost you a fortune either.

Forty grand gets you into a high performance, top-quality bass boat with a very high level of equipment, stunning looks and impressive build quality. It’s a great rig and a genuine bargain.