Trapper 500

[LittleSister]

I wonder if your 500 is the same as the one I'm looking at on FB?

facebook.com/marketplace/item/1178124309513399

neilmcc hasn't logged into the forum (at least under that name) since 2015, so I doubt you'll get a reply from him.

 

[donm]

Mine was one of the first bilge keeled. I fitted it out from a hull and decks which many of us did in those days - circa 1979. As has already been said the tiller was long and swept the cockpit so the crew sat behind the helmsman, but she sailed very well particularly in a strong breeze and we had a fair amount of success in Club races.
Ironically, when I bought the Trapper I really wanted to buy a Halmatic 30 to fit out but couldn’t afford it - but have one now!
My Trapper was a great boat both for family cruising and Club racing and well suited for our part of the world (Bristol Channel)

I sailed in company with and on a 501 for a number of years. It had bilge keels and was a bit of a pig to sail, with poor directional stability. In addition, none of the kit worked smoothly, but it did its job. I always felt nervous entering the companionway as the step was adjacent to the galley sink, and a slip on there could have resulted in a broken ankle. It was underpowered with a 10hp diesel but the 15hp replacement left very little space around it and the owner found servicing hard.