Question? Have you seen a HappyHooker? Most people don't know that it is a custom made bass boat from a guy in South Houston in the mid seventies. Very fast hull and Rock solid from the hull to the transom. My dad bought one new in 1975 with a rude 115 and at the time it would outrun a ranger allison hull with a merc of the same HP. I know..I was in the boat on livingston when my dad did it!! Still have the boat and it still looks brand new and runs like a champ! I'll post some pics next time I'm at my moms to snap a few.

OK...Going to try and clear up a few questions..

Yes I did finance the boat
Yes The dealer faxed over the invoice to the insurance agent showing the 115 pro XS
Yes I did get it insured.
And NO...I did not get to go out Sunday! This dang boat is burning a hole in my garage floor!! lol

Also...Somehow this thread got posted on another board somewhere and my salesman evidently read it and gave me a courtesy call the next day explaining the confusion.

Anyway here it goes...He said he cannot and will not overpower a hull. The 2011 explorer 17's are now rated for a 115 hp engine and since Triton made no changes to the hull design between the two years the 2010's can also accept the new HP rating. Since the boat originally had a 90 hp on it the rating plate that was on the boat reflected that. They forgot to change the plate after the new 115 was installed.

That cleared up all my questions as to why the rating plate relfected a 90 hp motor. Like I said earlier I didn't even notice that until I got her home and started removing all the warning decals with my heat gun.

Thanks for everyones input. Thats why I like this forum so much. Everyone is here to help out. Thanks for all the compliments!!

Glad you didn't take any of that wrong and thanks.

Go get that girl wet this weekend!!!!

Went out yesterday. All I can say is.....WOW!

Went to Conroe, wind blowing 20-25, 2-3 foot rollers in the main part of the lake and thanks forest rangers. I came home smelling like a campfire. I'm truly impressed with the smooth ride of Triton boats. Fished a little bit on the north end, bass still deep and no sign of beds. Caught one on a spinner around a dock 4 feet deep. Cold front and north wind killed the fishing so that 120 bucks I spent on gas was an awefully expensive joy ride. Boat gas gauge barely moved ran from stowaway to the dam and back. Took 1/2 tank in the truck up and back round trip of 160 miles.

I have a Triton TR176 with a 115 OPTI. It runs 50 with light load and comfortably a 40 with a load. Great fuel ecomomy. A far as rating goes the plate says 130hp max. The strange part is it says 4 persons or 500lbs.I take up almost half of that. This boat is similar to yours.

so what was your max speed

I have a 1997 Triton with a Johnson 115 Fast Strike on it. It ran 62 by gps without a trolling motor on it and no gear with one person (it was the test drive). After I got all my fishing stuff in and my fat self, it will run 56ish at 6000rpm. It also has a jack plate on it which I think helps. Hole shot isn't spectacular but the mid range acceleration is incredible.

Had the boat loaded with gear, me (190 #'s), my brother (240#'s) filled the live well set the lowrance checked for leaks and took off. Great hole shot with the 18p prop. Had to break her in so top speed I didn't notice. I was too busy watching the tach at full throttle so I wouldn't over rev the new motor....kept her between 3k and 4.5k with an occasional burst to WOT. Running at 4.5rpm speed was showing 38 mph. If I had to guess I would guestimate about 50-53 at 5600 rpm.. Could not open her up WOT without fear of exceeding max rpm....may switch to 19p prop once I break her in and can hammer down all the way.

I have a 17' Champ with a 135hp mariner and get 59@5600 rpm on a light chop w/23p prop. 55 is my general speed. All on GPS. The carbed boat eats gas pretty good.

Congrats on a great looking boat! Just curious as to whether the dealer would be willing to change out the plate for you, or provide some sort of documentation. Thinking that�s something that you may want to look into so if you decide to sell it or trade it in a few years down the road you won�t have to explain it.

Got the new plate in the mail today "4 persons or 550 lbs--1175 lbs, persons, gear, motor--115 HP motor" I was hoping they would put in on but since it came in the mail guess they want me to do it.


Question? Got my TPWD stickers today and it said something about not having to display the numbers, only the decal if the boat is registered and the papers are available. Do you still have to put the hull numbers on the boat?