Lose my yachting cherry to a trapper?

[paulrae]

Another new boy looking for advice from the older hands.

I've been dinghy sailing for a while now, and am looking to involve SWMBO and the two ankle biters so that I can spend more time sailing with impunity, sorry, no, I meant 'quality time together'! Time to buy a boat!

I've seen a 1978 Trapper 300 locally for (what seems to my uneducated eye) a very reasonable £5k. The owners' association website provides good info on the boat in terms of its layout, etc, but I'd appreciate some info from you guys about your impressions of the boat for cruising and how suited she might to sailing short handed.

As usual, any info would be much appreciated!

<hr width=100% size=1>Consistency is a sign of a lack of imagination.

 

[oilyrag]

Good little boat, especially if you're an experienced dinghy sailer moving up, as long as the wife likes sailing. i.e. if she would rather look after the ABs instead of sailing, and you are then effectively single-handing, they are a bit more of a racer/cruiser than other way about.
If it's in good nick, £5K is too cheap unless it's outboard powered.
If it's inboard, the engine is probably about to die (very expensive, another £3-4K, and note that a survey will not tell you what condition the engine is in) or it's got the pox (only expensive if you want to do owt about it).


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Tai_Lam]

A few weeks back I was enquiring about a trapper 300 on the Clyde coast. Asking price was a bit more than £5k, but not much. Was advised that it wouldn't get insurace in current condition without spending a bit of money. Lost interest immediately and never enquired as to the nature of the problems. This may be the same boat. Be sure to ask some questions of the seller if your still interested and get it surveyed!

Regards.
John

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[cliff]

180 produced, many in kit form for DIY completion! quite a few in the clyde it seems (~4 or 5). Most were sold overseas - I would ask why? or why did they not sell so many in the U.K.

5K for a 26' boat. sounds like OB auxiliary. Whatever you do get a survey before you part with a peny or better still go a bit more up market and find something with an inboard diesel auxiliary.

I believe there is one in the clyde called "booby trapper" sort of says it all or is this the owners idea of humour?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[AIDY]

Cracking little boats. You should have lots of fun in one.

I'm with all the others with the comments. Have seen trappers go in the past from anything between 10 - 16K. Make sure you get a survey.

<hr width=100% size=1>/forums/images/icons/wink.gif <font color=blue> Regards Andy </font color=blue>

 

[Spyro]

sort of says it all

"Booby Trapper" sort of says it all???????????
What exactly do you mean? Do you have any experience of sailing or owning a trapper? Putting other people off buying one without giving any particular details is not very helpful for a first time buyer. I'm pretty sure I know the boat that is for sale and has been for some time. If it is the one I'm thinking about it does appear to be extremely cheap as it does have a fairly new yanmar 1gm10. and a new cradle.

PS I think it's a great name

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Spyro]

It does appear to be a very good price. I don't see a problem getting insurance as long as you go along with a surveyors recommendations. One problem might be gas on board because there is no gastight locker. Not a problem to fit a spirit stove. another may be standing rigging depending on age but that goes for any boat. It won't cost you anything to go and look at it. Better still take someone with you with some experience of owning a boat. If you have any particular questions re the trapper 300 PM me.

Ian

<hr width=100% size=1>