2003 Triton 220 LTS

Testers Notebook: 2003 Triton 220 LTS Location: Sarasota Bay, Florida, USA Test load: Light load: two adults, 1/2 tank fuel, no water or waste. Test day conditions: Lots of chop. Synopsis: A superb performer and a great fishing boat making the choice of what to do  - cast or hammer the throttle - all that more difficult.

By: Mark Rotharmel

   "Happen to like fishing?  Then this week's test will be of special interest to you.
Triton Boats, a leading builder of bass, walleye and bluewater rigs has just announced a new saltwater line.  This is the first model out, the 220LTS - LTS standing for "light tackle series".  Now this is an all composite boat developed for serious anglers by a serious angler himself.  Earl Bentz, Triton's founder and president, is a legend in both racing and fishing circles and building high performance fishing boats is his passion.  Undeniably, Triton's 220LTS is high in quality and big on features that anglers appreciate.
     Equipped with a welded aluminium leaning post, fibreglass seat storage and a fold-down footrest that improves one's comfort should you choose to sit rather than stand, this shaded centre console boat comes with a helm full of electronic equipment.  Mercury control box and a myriad of switches are easy to reach.  There's still plenty of room to mount options like this remote charge indicator and navigational or fish-finding devices.
     Mercury's aft-mounted trim button makes checking the prop quick and easy.  This 19" pitch Tempest Plus prop is meant to turn 5750 rpm.  This securely fastened t-top keeps the weather off, with spreader lights to brighten things up at night.  In addition to built-in rod boxes, rod holders seem to be everywhere.  These four are stainless steel, positioned on the backrest of the seat.  Throughout the 220 can be found large bait storage and fish wells, complete with recirculating systems and optional plumbing for live release angling.  A lockable t-top electronics box, this 72-quart igloo cooler with seat cushion and several storage compartments can be found built into the forward and aft casting decks, with diamond non-skid flooring for sure footing.
     Well, we've got lots of chop out here on the water in Sarasota Bay today for the test of the Triton 220LTS.  Now the boat is 22 feet long, has an 8'6" beam and weighs 2300 pounds.  Let's see how fast it gets out of the hole, here we go.  Instantly.  2.51 seconds.  Very quick.  Now whether you're going directly into the waves or with them doesn't seem to matter much to the ride, it's pretty soft.  'Course that's part and parcel to the design of this bottom.  There's a couple lifting stripes, 15 degree dead rise, obviously that's variable throughout the bottom and a very soft ride.
     It also has some trim tabs should you need them going into or with the waves, but right now I've got the tabs up, running nicely, 37 miles an hour, 4,000 rpm.  Real nice and clean.  Now the 220, when you're cruising along, back off the throttle say 20 miles an hour, accelerate up to 40 in 6.2 seconds, very nice.  Now it's really clear that Earl Bentz and his team have really put together one heck of a boat here, not only does it ride well, but it handles like a dream, nice manoeuvring.  T-star hydraulic steering makes it really easy on the wheel.  So now we'll set up for a turn, here we go, boat hangs in real nice.  But I can accelerate right through the turn, bow stays down, doesn't dig in though.  Comes right around on you, beautiful.  Going across this two-foot chop, very soft indeed.
   Now Mercury's Optimax at 185 cubic inches has all sorts of punch and we should have lots of acceleration, we might be a little light on the topside, but let's take a top-end pass right now, see how fast it goes, here we go.  55, 55.1, 55.4, 57.  57 Miles an hour.  Top-end speed.  Beautiful.  My notes find the Triton 220LTS planed instantly in 2.5 seconds.  Accelerates from zero to 40 mph in nine seconds and 30 to 50 miles an hour in 7.6 seconds.  Speeds over 60 miles an hour can be expected without the t-top and some prop work.
   It's times like this where my decision-making skills are really put to the test; do I push the throttle down and enjoy the superb performance of this boat or simply sit back and cast in a line?  Well, either way, with the 220LTS, it's a win-win situation.  At speed or at rest, this is an angler's dream.
   Now it was the mission of Earl Bentz and his team to bring a brand-new breed of fishing boat to market, and with the light tackle series, I think they've succeeded.   We'll see you next time."

* this profile taken from the transcript of the show segment of Mark's test for PowerBoat TV.

Specs:

For the dealer nearest you contact:

Triton Boats
15 Bluegrass Drive
Ashland City, TN 37015
1-888-887-4866
http://www.tritonboats.com