Vic Smith wrote:
On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:09:12 -0400, A Real Boater
wrote:
Vic Smith wrote:
These look tough.
Anybody have one, or even see one?
I read once they easily get/show scratches.
I like this one best.
http://www.toughboats.com/index.cfm?...RecommendATest
Then there's the Bubba Test
http://www.toughboats.com/index.cfm?...RecommendATest
--Vic
There is or was one parked in a driveway for most of the summer in the
Chesapeake Beach, MD, area. For what it was, it looked to be in pretty
decent shape, though the finish on the deck and hullsides was as dull as
if it had been sitting out in the Florida sun for a few seasons. I
wonder how they clean up, because the surface feels, well, porous.
The only other one of that make I have ever seen also had a dulled finish.
Spent some time getting info - there's an owners forum - and owners
are happy with them.
They clean pretty easily with a power washer, and stains come out with
Soft Scrub/bleach/Mr Clean sticks. Doesn't appear to be an issue at
all.
The finish is naturally duller than gel coat, but having no gel coat
seems a plus to owners. When they get too dull, a dry buffer will
bring back the luster. Just the heat from the buffer.
Didn't get a good handle on prices, but they seem about the same as a
Carolina Skiff per foot.
For some reason - maybe because they are vee hulls and have a number
of standard equipment pieces like livewells and front decking/storage,
they weigh considerably more than a CS of same length according to my
cursory reading of the specs.
The 23' is 3400 lbs dry/no motor compared to 2000 lbs for the CS 2380
DLX. Since this ropelene plastic is supposed to be lighter than glass
the Triumph is probably just a beefier boat.
23' is the max length they're making.
The plastic - disappointingly - provides no resistance to sea growth.
Bottom paint is probably a special formulation but I didn't dig in.
You need a ropelene compatible sealant, as the usual stuff won't
stick. Repairs/hole filling can be easily done with ropelene sticks
and a torch, and the hull has a long, transferable warranty.
If I was looking for a vee-hull I would sure give them a close look.
But I'm not. Vee hulls suck gas, and I hate that.
--Vic
If you are shopping for a boat to use where hard crop or sea waves will
not be a frequent issue, I'd sure go for the Carolina Skiff. They really
are terrific fishing boats.
--
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