Trapper 500

robmcg

robmcg

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Anyone on the forum own a Trapper 500? I have bought one and would be interested in other people's opinion (standby for barrage of negative comments!!!!). Does anyone sail a Trapper out of Plymouth area? Just looking for some general feedback and I might also have some technical questions when she is re-commisioned at the start of the season.

Thanking you all!!

Rob
 
Bought a Trapper 500 hull and decks and fitted it out in the garden. It was one of the first bilge keel versions and just preceded the 501, which had an updated deck moulding. The boat sailed well in all conditions and was very good to windward in strong winds, but could be a bit wet. They have a novel semi balanced rudder that can be turned through 360 degrees - great for steering astern!
You will not be disappointed.
 
Just sold my Fin keeled 500 after 4 years of ownership. A most amazing boat and without doubt the most underated 27 footer on the market. Fast and viceless with loads of space and beautiful to look at. We took her, or I should say she took us safely to the West Country and the Chanel Isles on many occaisions. Southsea to Dartmouth in 19hrs. Very kindly motion but perhaps a little underpowered in the donkey department. Balsa core to the deck so main problem is seepage through the chain plates and subsequent rot. The other problem is that the seal between the hull and coachroof has a tar substance and when it gets hot you find bits that have not been cleaned away. Bit like owning a car after the windscreen has broken. You keep finding bits of glass. The forum is a dated one in its style but is full of dedicated and knowledgable and very passionate owners of the Trapper range. Testiment to that fact is that the moderator hasn't owned a Trapper for a few years now. Why did I sell, to buy bigger and boy was that hard after the bar had been set so high by the Trapper. I now own a Fastnet 34, which I liken to a Trapper on steroids. I can assure you that you will have fun and you will upset a lot of people as you pass them without trying. Enjoy and safe sailing If you want any info, pm me as I have electronic version of the Trapper handbook. Go away Thursday night as I have a yacht delivery in France, so may be a week or so depending on the weather /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Hi plastic_dart. My first and only yacht is a Trapper 500 and I am delighted with her. Admittedly, having been built in 1976, she's getting a bit tired so I have her out this winter for a refit after owning her for 6 years.
I'd be delighted to help with any specific queries you may have. Have you got the roller boom main? I'm still undecided as to whether to go to slab reefing to improve the set of the main when reefed. The one thing that is critical is not to overpress - more than most (from my observations in our cruiser races out in the Severn estuary) the more upright she is, the better she points and achieves VMG.
 
Thanks for the positive comments people. Gland I didn't buy the proverbial Turkey! In answer to Wai_Tapu -no I don't have roller boom reefing anymore, it has been converted to slab reefing by a previous owner. I did view quite a few Trapper 500's before taking the plunge and was struck by the variation in the woodwork down below. Some were well finished, others looked a bit ropey, no 2 had the same combination of shelves/lockers- very strange! I am looking forward to blowing the cobwebs out of the old girl in April. Standby for more technical queries. PM sent to Pigletsdream (many thanks).
Cheers all!!
 
I sail one regularly on the East coast and have to agree they are pretty exceptional for 27ft. The one I sail has the 501 interior so must be number 400+ as only the later ones had that. As it happens, I keep my own boat in Plymouth so may well be around if you would like some first hand experience. PM me if interested.
 
The one that I fitted out was a 500 - hull number 482. Trapper used to mark the hull number in resin on the inside of the hull aft just beneath the deck. You should be able to see it from inside the large cockpit locker which I believe was on the stbd side
 
Hmmmm, it's true, I haven't owned a Trapper for several years now (3 I think) and it's fair to say the website didn't get updated very often, but then all the action took place on the board, clunky or not.

Anyway, now we have a new website, and a new board. Perhaps we are worth another visit. The old board is still available as an archive, both are linked to the site. www.trapperyachts.org.uk

nick
 
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