Triumph Breakthrough
9/22/2006 7:30:23 PM by Scott S. Snay
The world's premier indestructible boats are made by a manufacturer aptly named Triumph. Read on to find out what has made this name such a stronghold in the industry.
Photos courtesy of Triumph Boats
Every now and again, a product comes along that touts features such as "indestructible," "longer lasting," or "30 percent more," but as is often the case, that's usually only hyperbole with nothing to back up the claim. Enter Triumph Boats. Triumph makes none of the aforementioned claims, yet delivers in each category. The company does claim in its mission statement, however, that the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" is littered with more than 2,000 wrecks, yet not one is a Triumph. There are several reasons for that, beginning with a very unique construction philosophy.
Triumph begins with the latest in computer-assisted design, creating a boat that is one piece in construction from start to finish, delivering a high-quality boat that's unparalleled in value throughout the industry. Construction begins with the fusion of stainless steel cross-members and Roplene, which has five times the tensile strength of fiberglass, creating a core that won't corrode or twist under a load. The mold is then loaded into a computer-controlled oven where every step of the baking process is monitored, ensuring a uniformity throughout every boat.
Following the "cooking process," the cooling process begins. The hulls are rotated while advanced computer sensors monitor the process. The computer precisely controls the cooling rate throughout the process, ensuring consistent strength and durability from bow to stern. What emerges is a very unique product in the industry: a wood-free, one piece hull that far exceeds Coast Guard regulations for safety. Triumph builds boats with families in mind, and that mindset is evident not only in the superior safety features, but in functionality as well.
195 Dual Console
While it would be nice to own multiple boats for specific purposes, it certainly isn't practical or economical. Triumph addresses the issue with the Dual Console. Offered with multiple horse power packages, the D.C. touts twin seating on either side of the motor. Coupled with four-stroke technology, conversation in the stern is a breeze. The helm seat is comprised of a tandem seat with a molded-in, 25-gallon live well for fishing trips. The well can also doubles as a drink cooler for picnic days on the water.
Opposite the helm seat is a captain's-style seat with drink holders and a handy glove box for dry goods such as wallets, cameras and cell phones. The dash board is molded in, with back-light gauges for night-time operation, and toggle switches for various electrical functions. Forward of the split console is ample seating and dry storage for life jackets, required safety gear, spare clothes and tool kits. Cushioned along the seat as well as the bolsters, passengers up forward ride as comfortably as those in the rear. All in all, the 195 is every bit as comfortable for a knee-boarding trip as she is venturing offshore to catch dinner.
215 Tournament
Triumph realizes that tough boats are bound to attract tough owners, and with that in mind comes the 215 Tournament Edition. Brand new for 2007, the T.E. truly is a pocket battle wagon. She packs everything you'd expect to find on a tournament-caliber boat: four large in-deck fish boxes, aluminum leaning post with rod holders sitting atop a 25-gallon live well (note that the lid is over-sized, allowing you to shake out a cast net), t-top with optional electronics box plus, welded rod holders, tilt helm steering, and gunnel-mounted rod holders.
Seating forward is available with a cooler seat just forward of the console as well as molded-in bow seating and two stern seats aft of the console. Coaming bolsters line the entire interior space, making a prolonged fight easy on the legs, and the high freeboard ensures the bolsters comfortably reach an angler's thighs.
With the toughest boats on the market, the only way to go is up. Triumph is planning their largest hull yet with the introduction of an as-yet undetermined 24- or 25-foot hull, slated for 2007 delivery. She'll be even larger and tougher than her predecessors, and that's saying something.