A production half tonner

Trapper Yachts had for some years been producing some good performing and deservedly popular designs although most of these were beginning to look slightly dated. On the demise of Fairey Allday and possibly encouraged by the success of their more modern and sporty 26 foot Trapper 300, Trapper acquired the Mistral 31 moulds with a view to tapping into the half ton racing scene which was very popular at the time. Simultaneously, Hunter Boats were setting up to enter the same market with their very similar Van de Stadt designed HB31. The result from Trapper was the Trapper 950 (see below). Only a few were produced. The majority of these had various productionised features such as a cast iron keel and the engine beneath the cockpit and Alerion of Adur would appear to be a fairly typical example of that. It was also possible to order customised variants and Hooligan is such an example of a lightweight Grand Prix version. We know of only one other in the UK, a 950 called Hi-Flyer II last seen racing from Milford Haven around 10 years ago. There is one called Eagle Bay in Malta - she changed hands in 2006 - and another in Greece and that boat, Striggla II, is said to race against Glafki/Rollercoaster quite regularly.

On a rare visit to the south coast I called in on Rob Humphrey's office and met the man himself. He appeared to have quite a fond recollection of 'Rollercoaster' and apparently was aware of Troy. He asked me to let him know if I was ever selling her but I am sure that he makes those kind of jokes all the time......
I believe he now owns one of his Elan designs (a 333) and within the 31 of that range I like to imagine some continuation of the theme of an attractive good performing 31 footer.

The final variation on the theme was the Trapper 31 which offered a different interior design with more space for cruising, an aft heads and a masthead rig. Czech Mate, below, is a rare example and as of 2004 was for sale lying at Porchester. The back end looks naked with no running backstays!

The Trapper 31 illustrated above is named Clio and this is a broker's photo when she was for sale with with an asking price of £28,995. She was said to have been built by Trapper Yachts in 1987 but by that time Trapper would have been about to fold and she is probably the very last of the line. While the foredeck area looks similar, the coachroof has been extended well back giving a smaller cockpit beneath which is an aft cabin to port and a large locker to starboard. There is wheel steering (why?!) and the mast is deck stepped. The engine is a Volvo 2002 with a saildrive and the keel a cast iron fin. This boat is still based on the Hamble.

I would also be very interested in any published or personal info on the Trapper 950 so do get in touch via the contact form.

Troy's predecessor for me, a Trapper 400 plus some old Trapper ephemera

The Trapper Owner's site

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