Trapper 300

[Old Thady]

Does anyone have any advice regarding the Trapper 300's suitability as a short-handed cruiser for SW Ireland? I'm looking for something practical, pretty and nice to sail that won't cost too much. I'm only planning to spend the odd night on board so she'd be a daysailer most of the time.
These boats are getting fairly old by now, are there any serious or hard-to-repair bits that tend to break? Do you think the hulls are good for another decade or two?

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[Spyro]

Does anyone have any advice regarding the Trapper 300's suitability as a short-handed cruiser for SW Ireland? I'm looking for something practical, pretty and nice to sail that won't cost too much. I'm only planning to spend the odd night on board so she'd be a daysailer most of the time.
These boats are getting fairly old by now, are there any serious or hard-to-repair bits that tend to break? Do you think the hulls are good for another decade or two?

Thanks for any thoughts.

The hulls are not a problem unless you don't like the two tone colours. They were built very strongly. Original engines could be a problem as they are getting on a bit. Would look for cracks around stanchion bases which can cause leaks the fore hatch might also not seal properly and can leak if you take waves over the bow, they are a moulded part of the deck so not easily replaced. The boat is quite tender due to hull shape and does need reeding early.
some useful info here http://www.trapperyachts.org.uk/

 

[V1701]

Yachtsnet archive page is informative:
http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/trapper-300/trapper-300.htm
There's one just across from me, I think it's a nice looking boat. Once overtook him, so possibly not as fast as a Vega, which is also supposed to be a bit tender but we weren't heeled over as much. Great fun if you like heeling, though...

The Yachtsnet page says some had a bulb added to the keel...

 

[sailorman]

She will go backwards better than a Vega

Yachtsnet archive page is informative:
http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/trapper-300/trapper-300.htm
There's one just across from me, I think it's a nice looking boat. Once overtook him, so possibly not as fast as a Vega, which is also supposed to be a bit tender but we weren't heeled over as much. Great fun if you like heeling, though...

The Yachtsnet page says some had a bulb added to the keel...

 

[V1701]

She will go backwards better than a Vega

You're not wrong...

 

[sailorman]

I helped an owner out of a berth, i asked "which way are you going" he said " i dont know yet"

You're not wrong...