Champion fisher forged in fire

The Tristram 881 Offshore is a fully-featured weekender designed for fishing and diving. Photo / Supplied.

Soon after a devastating blaze, Tristram's latest took out two top boat show awards.

Tristram Marine's Lance Fink is a survivor. While attending the Auckland International Boat Show in March he received word his relatively-new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on the Te Rapa straight, north of Hamilton, was in the grip of a serious fire.

When the smoke cleared and the fire engines left, Fink was confronted with what looked like the wreck of his business. Years of development work, moulds and plans had been destroyed. It could have been the end of his dream.

Fink, however, is made of stern stuff and, just two months later he was once again displaying his wares at a boat show. This time it was the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show and he was there with a completely new release.

It was a remarkable achievement that was quickly rewarded. On the Saturday night of the show, at the prestigious Boat of the Show Awards, Tristram's new 881 Offshore picked up the award for the Boat of the Show: GRP Fishing Boat Open.

The following day, Propeller magazine announced the Tristram 881 Offshore had also won their coveted People's Choice Award.

At first glance, the 881 Offshore appears similar to Tristram's 851 Grandeur and the two do share the same hull. However, they have little else in common. The 881's cockpit, cabin and transom are all different to its predecessor. The hardtop, too, is different; it is based on that from another Tristram model: the 781 Ultimo. And, while the actual running surface of the hull is the same as the 851, overall the 881 is 300mm longer.

The 881 is designed to be a highly featured and comfortable weekender that can be used specifically (although not exclusively) for fishing and diving.

As a result, the self-draining cockpit is longer than that on the 851. There is also a purpose-built transom that contains a permanent live bait tank in its starboard quarter; a built-in bait board and rod holders and a secondary bait board position on the central stainless steel leaning bar.

Underneath the full-width boarding platform, external longitudinal girders disperse water flow when backing up and also help stop wave slap at rest.

Under the cockpit, a major wet locker can play host to either one (large) or two (smaller) removable fish bins. Continuing the fishing theme, the cockpit sides feature moulded pockets (part of the main cockpit moulding) with dedicated rod holders and a handy shelf for the boat hook, gaff or tag pole. The padded side coamings are at the right height for stand-up fishing and the teak capping on the coamings protect the typically Tristram high standard of finish on the GRP.

Also part of the cockpit moulding are the extra large seat bases and their massive stowage lockers, easily large enough for several dive tanks and bags. The seats are back-to-back and there is a cooker and sink unit on the passenger side. There is also a 19-litre hot water cylinder and 140 litres of fresh water storage. An electric drawer fridge has also been handily positioned within the helm seat module.

Recognising serious fishermen will want serious electronics, Fink has ensured the dash can take 12" display screens. He has also designed an upholstered eyebrow over the dash to further add a touch of class to the area.

The smaller hardtop has been designed to stay out of the way when fishing, especially when soft baiting. It is no budget option, however, coming complete with twin opening hatches, recessed lighting, an LED light at the rear to "flood" the cockpit and strip lighting under the coamings for both mood lighting at night and practical lighting when fishing.

The 881's cabin has a sliding lockable cabin door for both privacy and security. The head (either a Portaloo or a fully-plumbed version) lives under a bunk squab and there are twin single berths, which, with a moulded table that converts to a bunk infill, make a sizeable double berth. Those who prefer a toilet in its own cubicle can upgrade if they wish.

The first 881 Offshore has been powered by a Yamaha ME422STI-P1. This is a 275hp, six cylinder, 12-valve overhead cam, direct injection diesel engine coupled to a TRP Hydra Drive leg. (The "standard" power package is a 5.7 litre, 300hp MerCruiser/Bravo 3 petrol engine, with a top speed of just under 35 knots.)

Powerful single engine inboards are notorious for wandering at low speeds. However, during a test on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour, Propeller magazine's Barry Thompson found the twin counter-rotating propellers on the 881 delivered smooth, torque-free control.

"The stern leg, with its hydraulically operated multi-plate clutch system, offers a whole new level of precision, smoothness and quietness of shifting action. It was certainly very noticeable, especially in low speed manoeuvring and when docking."

Thompson was also impressed with the "finger touch" steering at both full revs and at low speed (no doubt, helped considerably by the hydraulic power assisted steering).

He also found there was no lack of immediacy when hitting the throttle (sometimes an issue with diesels).

"The silky-smooth action of the remote control, combined with the fast response of the engine, saw the 881 literally leap on to the plane and reach maximum rpm (3900) in very quick time."

Thompson says the sweet spot was at 3000 rpm and this gave a comfortable cruising speed of 24 knots. At WOT (Wide Open Throttle) or 4000rpm, the 881 hit a respectable 35.2 knots.

A full review of the Tristram 881 Offshore appears in the August/September issue of Propeller magazine on sale now or at www.propellermagazine.co.nz.

TRISTRAM 881 OFFSHORE

LOA: 9.25m

Beam: 2.5m

Deadrise: 21 degrees

Trailerable weight: 3500kg

Engine capacity: 6.2-8.1 litres

Fuel capacity: 390 litres

Water capacity: 140 litres

Price as tested: $230,000

Packages from: $185,000

Contact Marine editor Mike Rose on (09) 483-8284; (021) 735-015 or email: mrpr@xtra.co.nz.

- NZ Herald