Classic Boats – Top 10 Trailerboats Under 6.0m (Pt 1)

With the boat-show season now underway (the recent Sydney Trailerboat & Outdoor Leisure Show started the flurry), with boats of all shapes, sizes and descriptions being displayed all around the country, it seems a suitable time to reflect and revisit some of the best trailerboats that have been produced during the past few decades.

For this article, we are going to nominate what we consider to be the Top 10 Trailerboats under-6.0m of all time. This will be a big call, we know, but there are some boats on the list that few would argue with, although others will cause some debate.

When you read through our choice of boats, keep in mind that this list is for classic boats under 6.0m in length.

>> Caribbean Crestcutter/Pride Albatross
>> Cruise Craft V18 Reef Ranger
>> Haines Hunter V17L
>> Haines Hunter V19R&C
>> Kevlacat 5.2 Tournament
>> Quintrex LazeAbout & Fish Raider 4.5m
>> Savage Lancer 530
>> Seafarer V-Sea 474
>> Seafarer Victory 5.9/6.0m
>> Signature 540F

As you can see, the craft we have chosen are diverse, ranging from the little Quintrex LazeAbout through to the Haines Hunter V19R/C. Yes, we have cheated a bit by nominating two versions of both the Quintrex and Haines Hunter V19, but in each case we did not feel we could nominate one model without its sistership, as both were very significant and popular.

Over the next 10 weeks, we will be publishing reviews on these Top 10 Trailerboats.

First up, a 1970s classic, the Caribbean Crestcutter...

AN EVERGREEN HALF CAB
The Caribbean Crestcutter and the sister Albatross model in the Pride range have proven to be among the most successful of all trailerable half cabins. Several different versions were released during their production lifespan, including some rare sterndrive models.

Inexpensively priced when new, the Crestcutter is still excellent value. Secondhand models with original engines are priced on boatsales and boatpoint at between $8000 and $17,000.

With a moderate 15 degree deadrise hull, the Crestcutter has a good compromise between ride comfort and stability at rest.

The Crestcutter has a similar design to many other half cabins from the 1970s. The cabin is open to the cockpit and equipped with twin berths and a forward hatchway.

In the cockpit, two pedestal seats are situated before a tall windscreen and high dash. The cockpit is relatively small, but there’s enough space for casual fishing in the harbour or estuary.

Down aft, two moulded quarter seats provide additional seating.

Storage areas include underberth lockers in the cabin, and cockpit side pockets.

A Mk2 version of the Crestcutter was released in 1975. It came with slight changes to the hull and a new, larger cabin structure.

Late in its model life (Mk3 version), the Crestcutter became available with an open bowrider compartment with moulded seating. These models are hard to come by, as not nearly as many were built.

The final, Mk4 version was released in the early 1980s. These later models (without the bowrider compartment) are the pick of the boats as they were much better equipped.

For detailed information on the Caribbean Crestcutter, and reviews on dozens of other great used boats, pick up a copy of Jeff Webster’s Secondhand Boat Secrets magazine. This 148 page used boat buyer’s guide can be purchased at selected newsagents or online at www.jeffwebster.com.au