Triumph Flats Boat?

[Novangler]

Just curious, has Triumph ever made a true "Flats Boat" like an IPB or Mitzi Skiff?
http://www.inshorepowerboats.com/default.aspx
http://www.mitziskiffs.com/

Don't get me wrong ... I couldn't be happier with my current Triumph, a 170DC. But I can't shake the idea that a Roplene Flats Boat would be AWESOME!

I do a lot of fishing in Mosquito Lagoon and North Indian River, and a true "Flats Boat" would be immensely useful in these super shallow areas.

 

[OspreyVic]

Not sure of all the specifications, but the Mitzi Skiff 17 looks close to a Triumph 1700 Skiff. Looks like they both draw about the same amount of water.

 

[Novangler]

From all the pictures I've seen, I thought the Triumph 1700 Skiff was quite a bit larger .... but maybe that is just perception.

Another added benefit of some "Flats Boats" is they have a tunnel hull, allowing them to run in some real shallow water. I've never fancied those kind of hulls, but being able to run full throttle in 2-3' of water is very beneficial in Mosquito Lagoon - when you are chasing those pesky reds.

 

[Dave LeGear]

Never ran the 1700 but I used to run my 190 Bay in 2-3' of water all the time. Anything under 2' you were leaving a trail of mud or sand from the bottom. That was in Tampa Bay and Tarpon Springs area.

I can float and run in less than that but adding a small Flats Jack will make a Tunnel Hull out of pretty much any boat...

But no, other than adding a Polling Platform to the 170 years ago,

And the newer 190's having one as a option. They really do not make a true, large, "flush" front casting deck "Flats Boat" per se.

They have missed that mark for years now, and have forced us to adapt as best as possible for most models and still missing the mark by a long way, on having lockable rod storage.

Now you can "add" some flush decks and a lot of extra storage space "if" you take the time and use what the guys do on older Bass Boats to bring them up to modern standards.

And if carpet is not your game, then use Sea Dek or some other pad material naturally...

Other tackle storage tools (ideas) to also consider

http://www.tempress.com/component/o...ory=442196&mode=category&offset=0&sort=normal

http://www.bac-rac.com/index2.html

http://www.cookstackle.com/Photo_Gallery.cfm

http://www.easyviewtackle.com/index.html

These will give you ideas to make yours into more of a floating tackle center that keeps (which is critical in Flats Fishing) your decks clear of gear and even more so for the Fly Guys who are always finding a way to wrap a line around a cleat "right as" that Tarpon goes airborne the 1st time (bummer) for them...

 

[Novangler]

I couldn't agree more Dave!

I just keep thinking that all the benefits of a Roplene hull boat would be very advantageous in the Flats arena. I guess if Triumph were located down in Florida, that might be more of a priority for the company. I doubt they get much flats fishing up in Little Falls.

 

[Dave LeGear]

No I am sure they do not have a lot of Flats Fishing up there, but at least they are getting smarter about increasing forward casting deck space and the extra storage it could offer IF planned out correctly

http://www.performanceoutdoors.net/forums/album.php?albumid=524&attachmentid=8012

And as I say in my photo posting, they need to do this as on option now on the 150, 170 and 190 models all the way back to the console. Then add some lockable rod storage that has drains into the bilge (so one can rinse off the rods and they then stay on-board) and they would be all set

Here is how you build a Flats / Bay Boat hull cap with all the storage it "can" offer, so really it is not rocket science

But at least now you have some ideas on how to upgrade yours

 

[NCangler]

Wow Dave that Egret 189 is a beautiful boat! Well thought out and a lot in a small package.

 

[Dave LeGear]

That she is and with some Sea Dek installed to help offset some of the fact that it is a glass hull and maybe a little rough on the knees

http://www.facebook.com/media/albums/?id=173312190771

Is a perfect example of what Triumph "could" do if they put their minds to it...

As we have seen with the 170 SP model and adding more deck, they have finally broken "out of the box" on this thinking that they must always redo a mold thus would be too expensive to add features (finally) so building some of the features of the Egret 189 or 167 for that matter (another well designed hull) should not be that hard for them

 

[Novangler]

Excellent points Dave!