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
Not checked against public records
Boats are the Coast Guard’s, not NHTSA’s. It publishes a Cases and Campaigns file, but its model and year fields are free text and the recent entries are mostly hull-ID and capacity-label paperwork, so we have not been able to join it to a specific boat honestly yet. 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. How we decide that.
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 — about 26% of what this car is typically worth
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+ — about 32% of what this car is typically worth
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
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Found a specific Triton 189 TRX?
This page covers what goes wrong on the 2018 Triton 189 TRX in general. A free read looks at the one you're considering— it checks that seller's asking price against the market and names the issues that matter most for this exact year.
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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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