TMA 25 Fisherman

NOT SO MUCH
- Current helm station layout not ideal -- but is being re-designed
- No self-draining cockpit
- Space around transom could be better utilised.

Company director and experienced angler, John Zac moved to the Gold Coast from Sydney a few years ago to realise a long-held dream to design and build a trailerable fibreglass sport-fishing craft. The project came to fruition last year with the launch of the TMA 25 Fisherman.

The TMA 25F is a great looking boat with a walkaround centre cabin layout coupled to an ultra-deep vee hull derived from the renowned US manufactured SeaVee 25.

Since the release of the TMA 25F Tailored Marine has debuted a second model, a centre console called the TMA 27R, but it is the original craft that is the subject of this review.

With his new TMA 25 project, Zac opted to use the well-proven deep-vee hull from the Black Watch, but to design an entirely new deck. He wanted an interior layout that was more family-friendly than a centre console, a design which offered more weather protection, seating and storage space. A walkaround centre cabin was considered the best option as it has the accommodation and shelter he was looking for, but also has a walkway trench around the cabin sides so that anglers can fish from the bow of the boat.

The result is a pretty special craft; a legendary hull combined with an all-new deck and centre cabin that is reminiscent of a number of classic US designed walkarounds. The difference is that the TMA 25 is designed for Aussie conditions with plenty of freeboard in the rear cockpit, and a road-legal 2.32m towing width; no special permits required here.

The TMA 25F is also very well equipped. With the exception of the electronics, hard-top clears and rod holders, nearly all the gear you can see on the test boat is part of the standard inventory.

Some of the key features include a 490-litre underfloor fuel tank, 120-litre water tank, cabin sink with storage, three automatic bilge pumps, reversible helm seats, safety glass windscreen, two tackle lockers, hydraulic steering, trim tabs, anchor winch, fibreglass hard top with rocket launcher, under-bunk electric toilet with holding tank, kill tank, plumbed live well, salt-water deck wash, cockpit shower, and dual batteries with safety and isolator switches.

And the price? Packaged with a Mercury Verado 150hp four-stroke outboard and tandem-axle galvanised steel trailer, the TMA 25F starts at $120k. This sounds like a lot, until you run through the full and extensive standard equipment list -- which can be viewed on the TMA website.

As tested, with the more powerful 275hp Mercury Verado, a dual-axle Dunbier aluminium trailer, electronics package, hard-top clears, auto pilot, and six heavy duty 130kg rod holders, the TMA 25F is priced at $156,000.

The cabin is spacious with 1.5m of headroom from the sole to the ceiling in the middle part of the cabin - above the varnished timber dinette table.

The berths are arrayed in the customary vee shape, although the starboard berth is longer than its twin on the port side; it stretches 2.6m from the forepeak to the enclosed wiring box and bulkhead.

An electric toilet is housed under the starboard berth and has its own holding tank.

Opposite is a small sink with freshwater tap and storage underneath.

As a whole, the cabin is very nicely appointed. The berths are upholstered with a soft velour material and the cabin sides and ceiling are lined with carpet.

There are no side pockets in the cabin but there is plenty of storage space in a series of lockers under the berths.

An infill cushion is included to convert the two single berths into a double, while overhead a clear perspex hatch provides light and ventilation.

Access to the foredeck is best gained by walking around the cabin sides. The cabin side trench is not very wide at 170mm, but there are excellent grab rails on the sides of the hard top so it is not difficult to climb around the cabin and move forward.

Features up in the bow include a deck-mounted anchor winch and a bow roller set-up designed to retain the anchor. There is limited access to the enclosed anchor well via a small, removable panel. Keep in mind however that the anchor is intended to be raised and lowered using the anchor winch.

A cushioned seat has been built into the front of the cabin structure and there is a large storage locker underneath. Very high bow rails surround the bow area so you’ve got something to hold onto while fishing up front.

Back at the helm station I found the layout and general ergonomics of the helm to be less than ideal. I won’t go into detail on this subject because the helm area is being completely redesigned for future models.

What I did like was the moulded helm and passenger seat boxes which have heaps of storage lockers and two tackle storage cupboards.

The seat boxes are topped with fixed but comfortable padded seats with reversible back rests -- which is a great idea as it means you can sit and face aft to watch the lures or baits while trolling, etc.

In the test boat, the live bait tank was built into the port side seat box. In subsequent models it is being moved to a more practical location in the centre of the transom.

Anglers will be pleased with the size of the rear cockpit. There is 2.0m of open space between the helm seat boxes and the transom wall, while the distance from the transom forward to the cabin bulkhead is 2.9m.

The cockpit is part of the deck mould so the internal cockpit sides are flush with the floor -- which makes it difficult to lean up against the side coamings. Acknowledging that this is may be an issue for some fishermen, TMA will fit stainless steel toe-rails to the base of the cockpit sides upon request.

General features in and around the cockpit include flat, 170mm wide side coamings, underfloor kill tank/ice box, side and rear storage pockets, fresh-water shower, deck wash, and compartments behind the transom wall for easy access to the batteries, bilge and master switches.

The TMA does not have a self-draining cockpit, but any water in the cockpit is directed into the bilge area which has three automatic bilge pumps to remove it.

At the transom, the TMA 25 has a large, dual-engine-width outboard well. The design is perfect for a twin engine set-up, but not as good for a single engine installation due to the amount of unused space left on each side of the well.

Under the TMA 25 this renowned hull works very well. With its 25 degree deadrise and knife-like forward entry, it requires plenty of grunt for good performance, but the pay-off is in the ride quality. I can’t think of a hull in this size range with a softer or more comfortable ride.

Like other, relatively low profile deep vees (including the aforementioned Formula) it is not the driest boat in its class, but it can’t be beaten for ride comfort and sheer "fun factor". It is real hoot to gun the throttle on this boat and skim across the tops of the waves at high speed, leaping from crest to crest.

And speaking of speed, the test boat was fitted with a 275hp supercharged Mercury Verado four-stroke -- and was able to run to a top speed just nudging 40 knots.

Prior to the boat test I had a question mark over the stability of the TMA 25 due to the deep vee hull shape and relatively narrow 2.32m beam, but my fears were unfounded. At rest, the hull is remarkably solid -- much more stable than I had anticipated.

The deep vee hull is a little susceptible to a cross wind underway, but any list or lean is easily corrected with the trim tabs which are included in the standard kit.

The interior layout is designed mainly for offshore fishing, but with its spacious and well-appointed forward cabin, the TMA can easily double as a family day cruiser.

It’s a versatile craft for sure -- and this may prove the key to its success.

Priced from: $120,000 with 150hp Mercury Verado four-stroke outboard and Dunbier tandem axle aluminium trailer.
Length: 7.81m
Beam: 2.32m
Weight (wet): Approx. 2,000kg
Towing weight: Approx. 3.320kg
Deadrise: 25 degrees
Maximum power: 300hp
Engine as tested: Mercury Verado 275hp four-stroke
Fuel: 490 litres
Maximum Persons: Seven