Amphibious boats could be on the rise. They offer boaters seamless access to the sea, from their home to their slipway. However, there are some legal restrictions. For example, the distance covered must not exceed 10 kilometers and the pilot must declare these different trips to the authorities.
Noisy on the road, the Tringaboat consumes about 16 l per 100 km. You have to move the boat's ton and a half, especially since it is equipped with low-pressure tires (very practical for driving in the sand) which have a natural tendency to increase fuel consumption.
Speaking of fuel, the tank is mixed for land and marine motorization. With an initial capacity of 100 liters, it can be extended by two 30-liter feeders available as an option (and whose location is provided on board the boat).
At sea, the T650 is more fuel efficient. At 4,500 rpm, launched at its cruising speed of 20 knots, the 150 hp Honda VTEC 4-stroke consumes 1 liter of fuel per nautical mile. Powered by the 175 hp V6 (the maximum power), the consumption will increase to 1.2 liters per nautical mile. Note that the hull is also available with a 115 or 135 hp engine. Even if these two motorizations seem light to us.
Overall positive road experience, noise level to be reduced
On the road, the experience is attractive. The boat is flexible and the classic safety equipment of a road vehicle (4 seat belts, windshield wiper in particular) are present and provide a feeling of security. The three driving wheels of this boat are independent and equipped with a traction control system ( Grip Control ) which will reduce the driveability of one wheel to the benefit of the others in case of difficulty.
The turning radius of 7.50 meters will allow the T650 to maneuver easily, at a speed not exceeding 16 km/h. It is capable of overcoming slopes of more than 30%, thus using most of the boat slips.
The only downside to the experience is the high noise level of its 25 hp engine. It is placed in the aluminum hull at the console and tends to transmit its vibrations to the whole boat. A more muscular motorization could be quieter, at the expense of a higher consumption. We are talking about an amphibious boat, not a car, so it is normal that efforts are focused on the nautical capabilities of the vehicle.
Fast and smooth transition between worlds
The passage from the terrestrial world to the aquatic world takes less than a minute, 44 seconds exactly. Besides, can we talk about a passage? It is almost impossible to differentiate the physical feelings between the marine environment and the road environment. The transfer is soft, the 3 wheels go up by a system of hydraulic jacks in their hold and the T650 is transformed into a boat once the holds are closed and emptied of the water which they will have embarked. Once this is done, the wheels come to rest on the bulkheads of the holds, to increase the watertightness of it.
Amazing elevated cockpit
If the windy weather of the day of this test did not allow us to do anything crazy on the water. The aluminum hull designed by Pierre Delion (a V-shaped hull) lifts off quickly (around 15 knots) and once back on the water, it offers an appreciable stability and comfort. The freeboards are high and secure (84 cm up to the handrail) and the gangway allows to go all around the driving position, placed in height compared to the rest of the deck.
The choice of raising the cockpit by about 20 cm is surprising, certainly due to the presence of compressors and other pumps in the bilge. This position is detrimental to the boat's heel, the higher the superstructure, the more the boat will tend to heel.
A specific dashboard
All of the boat's land-based functions (motorization and wheel lift) are carried out via a dedicated screen. It complements the plotter which transmits all the navigation information (cartography, sounder...).
The T650 we tested was presented in Armoric finish. This is the basic model, to which it will be advisable to add a rather large number of options, some of which are available in pack, to have the level of equipment of its choice.
The T650 is offered with the "Tringa Sound System", which connects to the owner's phone to play the included music, for example.
Advantageously for boat dealers, option packages allow this customization. There is an offer for each segment (diving, picnicking, fishing, sunbathing or walking).
Technical data
Rated for a maximum speed of 38 knots, its cruising speed is 20 knots. Classed as a category C, it is capable of carrying 6 adults at sea (only 4 people on the road). It has an air draft of 2.48 m and a deck width of 2.07 m. The hull has a draft of 43 cm, the engine of 69 cm. Let us say 1 m, including the pilot's foot.
Safety devices are put in place to avoid false manipulations. Thus, it is impossible to reassemble the wheels if the boat does not float, for example.
A singular experience
Traveling in an amphibious boat inevitably changes the boating experience. It's the ability to refuel at a city gas station, load the cooler and picnic lunch at home, and move your boat without a trailer or parking space for your car. It is also reassuring for the passengers to avoid passing on a pontoon or on a slippery dock.
At sea, the T650 is a pleasant boat to handle and to live with. It behaves calmly and efficiently on the water. There is no doubt that the V6 175 hp offered elsewhere brings a much more sporty touch to this boat which is not intended for this use at the base.
