Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Triton Boats 1268 SUV 2005 vs Triton Boats 196 Bay Explorer 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Triton Boats 1268 SUV 2005 vs Triton Boats 196 Bay Explorer 2010 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Triton Boats 196 Bay Explorer 2010 measures 19,5 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 7,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Triton Boats 1268 SUV 2005 at 12,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Triton Boats 1268 SUV 2005 tips the scales at 234 lbs — 215 lbs more than the Triton Boats 196 Bay Explorer 2010 at 19 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Triton Boats 196 Bay Explorer 2010 has a 100-hp advantage over the Triton Boats 1268 SUV 2005's 15-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Triton Boats 196 Bay Explorer 2010 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Triton Boats 1268 SUV 2005 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Triton Boats 196 Bay Explorer 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Triton Boats 196 Bay Explorer 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 19,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Triton Boats 1268 SUV 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeTriton Boats
MakeTriton Boats
Model1268 SUV
Model196 Bay Explorer
Model Year2005
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters1.73
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches68
Beam - Inches96
Depth - DetailSide Depth: 23 in
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters58.42
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches23
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail234 lbs
Weight - Detail1,900 lbs
Weight - kg106.14
Weight - kg861.82
Weight - lbs.234
Weight - lbs.19
Width [transom] - Detail55 in
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]15-1/2 in
Height [transom]25 in
Length - Feet12
Length - Feet19.5
Length - Inches1
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail12 ft. 1 in
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 6 in
Length overall - Meters3.68
Length overall - Meters5.94
Length overall - Inches145
Length overall - Inches234
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 6 in
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters1.68
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches66
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise15℃
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail12 in
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.3
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches12
Body / Hull
Hull thickness.063
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine max15 hp
Engine maxnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal56
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower115 - 15
Operational Info
Maximum capacity655 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people3
Maximum people8 / 1,160 lbs
Storagenot available
StorageBaitwells: 15 & 28 gal. Fish / Storage Boxes: 281 qt. total Ice Chest: 94 qt