Triumph Yachts Review

The Triumph Boats company, founded in 1996, plans to move its manufacturing works from Durham, North Carolina to Little Falls, Minnesota later this year. Triumph, the recipient of a 500,000 loan from the Minnesota Investment Fund to assist in moving costs, will be occupying the former Larson Boats facility, a division of the now-bankrupt Genmar corporation. With a projected workforce of approximately 500, Triumph, the self proclaimed “indestructible” boat manufacturer of will provide an economic boost to Little Falls.

Triumph pioneered a unique manufacturing process called Ropelene to “rotomold” its wood-free hulls from plastic materials. The results are boats which can take serious abuse without cracking. In order to bankroll this expensive, cutting edge process, Triumph must produce a sufficient volume of smaller boats that sell briskly. Each of the manufacturer’s boat molds cost approximately $500K to produce. The mold, filled with a polyethylene compound and then baked at high temperatures, forms a one-piece unit that incorporates the hull, transom, storage boxes, gunwales, and deck cap. The boat then receives an injection of foam between deck and hull and moves on to final assembly.

Triumph’s line of saltwater fishing boats range from 12 to 23 feet in length. The size of the processing oven limits the maximum boat size. Triumph owners love the easy maintenance of their crafts and praise the durability and strength of Ropelene engineering. There is some concern about the plastic material cracking; however, owner endorsements far outnumber the scattered complaints.

Pricing

Pricing for new Triumph models ranges from $18,000 for the 150 CC/15’ model to$53,000 for the 235 CC/24 foot model. Sample prices for used Triumph boats include $13,900 for a 2004, 191 Fish and Ski boat, $30K for a 2008, 18 foot, 191 FS, and $47,000 for a 2009, 23 foot center console 235CC model.

Pros

• Unique construction process produces a super-tough exterior.
• Fishing features are built into the molds
• Newer models have the benefit of a refined construction process

Cons

• Construction process is relatively new
• Molded features preclude customization
• Possibility that older models may be vulnerable to cracking

Featured Models

Featured Triumph models include the 235CC(23 feet), the 215 Tournament Edition, the 191 Fish & Ski, the 190 Bay, and the 1700 Skiff.

Conclusion

Triumph Boats has delivered tough, sport fishing craft since 1996 to a loyal clientele who praise the Triumph’s indestructible construction. Originally located in Durham, North Carolina, Triumph plans a move to Little Falls, Minnesota within the year where is will relocated to a former Larsen boat manufacturing facility. Triumph uses a proprietary Ropeline manufacturing process during which the boats are molded and baked in one piece, with foam injection and finishing touches added later. The resulting hull is strong enough to withstand some pretty touch punishment with little integral damage.