Proud new papa...Skiff has arrived!

[skiffdawg]

Greetings to all Triumph peeps!
The family would like to "test" the boat this morning, so I guess I will have to put my chores aside for a while and take them out for a bit.

Later

[Dustoff '68]

Any pics of your skiff?

[OspreyVic]

Welcome Skiffdawg. Congratulations on your new baby.

We love pictures and would like to hear how she handles.

[fridaysoff]

Welcome aboard Skiffdawg. Let us know how the 1700 performs. Not many people on the site has one so there's plenty of interest in the way it handles. What HP motor did you put on her?
John D

[JimW]

Welcome aboard. You lucky dawg, how is she equiped and how did she handle?

[Dustoff '68]

Forgive my manners, skiff...welcome...yes sir, if that skiff was out when I was looking at Triumph's, I would be the owner of one right now....please post some pics.

[NCangler]

Congratulations! And welcome aboard skiffdawg!

[Genelie]

Well??? it is late afternoon, and no report?? must be still playing

[skiffdawg]

Greetings all, and thanks for the warm welcome.
I picked the boat up yesterday morning after a short wet test out of cocoa village, fl.
Then I spent the rest of the day hanging a new gate on the fence as this boat is
w i d e.
This morning I took the wife a daughter out for some breakin time of various low speed throttling around and just generally sight-seeing. Never been in a boat before without a fishing rod, it just didn't seem right but I got past it. I got a big thumbs from both of the girls on the decision to go with this model. They love it.
Weather was light chop with a bit of wind, partly cloudy sky and at times it looked like we might get a shower, but it passed.
As far as the boat goes, in a word...it was awesome!
Quiet, stable, lots of room on board, and I may be slightly biased, but I think we were looking good too! :-)
The boats planes up easily, tracks well, and hugs a turn with nary a sign of wandering and to my surprise, very dry for a skiff...Extremely well mannered I'd say.
I think Triumph hit it out of the park with this model.
Of course some would say I'm underpowered and maybe that makes it easier to stay out of trouble, but with a seven year old on board, there's no need to get silly anyway. I want her to enjoy the ride also so she's more inclined to go with us out for a fun day for all.
The rig:
I have the "B" model, with the aft livewell and center 18gal tank.
All available options with exception of the center side rails, it justs seems like a better configuration for fishing to me.
Power is a Yamaha 50 Hi-Thrust with a 13 pitch prop. Oddly enough the dealer already had it fitted with a doel-fin before I saw it. I really wanted a small motor, just to sip fuel and keep the weight down for skinny water. I was concerned about the power prior to the check ride and actually wanted the 60HP because there was no weight penalty for the power, but it was not available.
Cruise runs about 20mph indicated on the gages, I didn't have my GPS so there is a +- factor for accuracy there.
Top speed with a light breeze at my back was about 26-27 I'd say.
Cant really go to fast around here anyway, too many restrictions. Most everything is a manatee area and the main channel's are restricted to 25.
No other accessories are installed yet, as I still have to pull and mount the sonar and GPS from my old boat. I didn't want to get started until I had the right stuff to secure the screws. Besides, I only want to mount the transducer once, so I'm going to be very careful about where I put it. Right now I'm kinda wishing I had one on a suction cup so I could move it around and test. I'll be researching all that after I get this posted.
On my wish list it maybe a marine VHF, but it will come later.
I think I covered all the high points. I'll put some pic's up shortly after I download them from the camera.

[Holmes]

welcome aboard