2018 Triton 189 TRX — Should You Buy One?
Typical asking price: $24,000–$38,000. There are 2 high-severity known issues you need to know before handing over a check.
Kestrel Take
A serious fiberglass bass boat — fast, well-built, and tournament-capable. These get run hard at wide-open throttle, so the outboard hours, the transom/stringers, and the high-speed running gear are the whole inspection. A well-maintained Triton is a strong used tournament rig.
What we checked
No public record to reconcile against
We don't yet have a public record to check this one against. Boats and personal watercraft are not in NHTSA’s database — that is the Coast Guard, which publishes recalls but no owner-complaint record. What follows is our own write-up, and it has not been reconciled against an official record. Treat it as a starting point, not a verdict.
Known Issues for the 2018 Triton 189 TRX
Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.
Bass boats run at wide-open throttle constantly; the outboard sees hard use. Verify hours, compression, and full service history — a tired big outboard is the boat's biggest expense.
Repair cost (estimate): $500-$8,000
Source: not yet checked against public records.
High-horsepower, high-speed pounding stresses the transom and stringers; check for softness, cracks, and moisture. A survey is worthwhile.
Repair cost (estimate): $2,000-$10,000+
Source: not yet checked against public records.
Inspect the jack plate, prop, and lower unit for wear and impact damage.
Repair cost (estimate): $300-$2,500
Source: not yet checked against public records.
Verify the fish finders, trolling motor, and livewells work.
Repair cost (estimate): $200-$2,000
Source: not yet checked against public records.
Walk-Away Red Flags
- ✗Very high outboard hours with no service
- ✗Soft transom or stringer moisture
- ✗Low or uneven outboard compression
- ✗Impact damage to the lower unit
Good Signs
- ✓Documented outboard service and good compression
- ✓Solid transom and stringers
- ✓Healthy running gear and electronics
Found a specific Triton 189 TRX?
This page covers what goes wrong on the 2018 Triton 189 TRX in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.
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Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.
Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.
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