which one to choose for new boat ? (down to 2 now)

Madhatter

Madhatter

Well-Known Member
Joined
23 Sep 2009
Messages
3,316
Location
Minehead / boat Porlock (I hope)
wp.me
As a few know I am looking to go up a size or two for my main sailing activities ( all on a shoestring :o ), so I have shortlisted two boats :-
Samphire 26 long keel,easier to beach when required (with legs)
and
Trapper 500 ( modified quite a lot from standard so concerns over quality of mods)
both are in budget, both are appealing in looks, equipment and price , but I can't make my mind up:confused:
any advice from the forum ?
 
Both are similar length, pointy at one end, less pointy at the other and have sticks on top with sails. Other than that, difficult to imagine two more different styles of boats - so pick the one that appeals to you more than the other.
 
I'm obviously biased because I've got a Trapper 500. Looked around a lot before we made the decision as to the boat we wanted and we set out to look for a 500. The tiller is the only drawback - the crew on the winches to need work behind the helmsman but you soon get used to it. As far as I remember the most common problem is leaks around the stanchions but most of them have had that cured by now. Surprisingly roomy for a 28 footer (that includes the rudder which sticks out at the back) and yet they sail well. I think Sailing Today did a review a while back. Delighted with mine so take that as a recommendation! There's a strong owner's forum so any advice you need is normally forthcoming. PM me if you want a pdf of the original manual.
 
go for the standard Samphire. Good reputation for seakindliness and the ability to plug on. I sailed a Trapper in the Arabian Gulf for a year. Fast but quite twitchy.

I reckon the Samphire will make sailing easier and more enjoyable for you and friends/family. And, given the places on the Brissle Channel that dry out, a set of legs will give you drying out spaces which tend to be free(r). With a displacement of 3.4 tons on a LOA of 26, steady unflappable sailing means trips of 2 - 3 days without stopping or wearing yourself out, are a probability.


Need a hand bringing her round ? :)
 
Okay so there are recommendations for both boats (my Trapper sails well and I don't ever feel it's twitchy but don't doubt Saranade's experience of the one he sailed). Once you've looked at condition, what needs to be done and the relative prices - pick the one that 'feels' best to you. One's subconscious is an enormously powerful piece of processing equipment so what we describe as 'feelings' are often sensible decisions we aren't quite conscious of and the pros and cons of each boat - matched to what you need and want - will have been considered without conscious effort. Looks like you'll have a great boat either way. Or you could do what most of us do - defer to SWMBO who will probably concentrate on the cushions.........
 
The Trapper ..................... but not the one in the photo you have posted. There would have to be some serious internal modification to successfully support the externally mounted chain plates. Shameless plug :o but I have a Trapper 500 available that is more standard, 501 interior, new foam and upholstery (professionally done), epoxied professionally, replaced standing rigging and loads of other good stuff. Feel free to PM if you don't like the one in your picture.

Rob
 
I know nothing about either boat, but from pictures on the net -
The rudder arrangement on the Samphire 26 looks more robust than the Trapper, in fact the Samphire looks to be a very robust boat in general, so can you put up with the foibles of a long keel?
How do the engines compare?
What state are the sails in?
If you can't make up your mind on aesthetics or performance grounds, go for the one that will cost you less to make shipshape.
 
The Trapper appears to be heavily modified and converter to cutter rig with a bowsprit so may be a risky buy. An unmodified Trapper is a great boat. Of these two I would go for the Samphire.
 
Madhatter said:
View attachment 29752View attachment 29753
Click to expand...

Is that the Trapper with twin rudders and lots of non standard mods berthed in Penarth?

If your choice is solely between the boats pictured, then the Samphire looks to be the winner. But there are plenty of good standard Trappers out there and, having owned one myself, they are a very good boat for the Bristol Channel - I made many visits to Minehead on my bilge keel version. But the Trapper and Samphire are quite different boats.
 
I would like to thank all those who offered advice/opinions on this thread.
I did lean towards the Trapper but due to the extreme modifications I have backed off because I could not afford any major revamps, I have looked at nearly all the other trappers for sale and they are outside my minute budget :o.
So its looking like the Samphire (so far)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top