Trailcraft 5.0m Runabout

West Australian boat manufacturer Trailcraft has been producing quality plate aluminium boats since 1983, but in more recent times has dramatically increased production. So much so, that it is now recognised as one of Australia's foremost plate aluminium boat manufacturers.

Trailcraft has made significant inroads into the lucrative aluminium boat market and now has an extensive dealer network Australia-wide.

It's no secret that Trailcraft boats are in direct competition with respected marques such as Quintrex, Stessl and Savage, however, according to Trailcraft's Managing Director Brett Martin: "Trailcraft plate aluminium boats offer several features that make them safer and softer-riding than our competitors' boats."

We headed west to Fremantle to check out Trailcraft's factory and test one of the more popular models in the company's range, the 5.0m Runabout.

As Martin walked me through the factory it was immediately evident that this is no backyard operation with at least 40 boats on the floor at various stages of production. Currently, Trailcraft's production includes runabouts, cuddy-cabs, sports-cabs, centre-cabs and centre-consoles from 4.7-6.4m as well as the odd larger custom boat.

What makes Trailcraft boats unique from other plate aluminium boats is their 'clinker-style' pressed sides. While this process increases production time, Martin believes it is worth the extra effort as the pressed sides strengthen the hull and produce a stylish, more traditional look. Running strakes are also pressed into each boat's underside prior to welding.

The raised sheerline and superb two-pack paint jobs are other notable features which ensure Trailcraft boats don't look like 'just another tinnie'.

Another feature that Trailcraft heavily promote is its fully-welded self-draining deck. This is a feature on all of its models right down to the 4.7m Runabout - a feature which is relatively unheard of in a boat of this size.

The fully-welded floor runs the full length of the boat and traps a considerable amount of air below, which, of course, can be promoted as positive buoyancy and is an important safety feature in an emergency situation.

Sometimes to obtain a self-draining deck you have to sacrifice freeboard, however this is not the case with the Trailcraft. The 5.0m Runabout we tested still had freeboard of 64mm and a 'true' self-draining deck. Spring-loaded non-return scuppers are an intelligent fixture and ensure any water on deck is quickly expelled.

GREMLIN-FREE
Another plus for the fully-welded floor is that no gremlins, such as stray sinkers, can make their way into the bilge and slowly eat away your hull. This can be a problem with timber or false-floored boats.

We tested the 5.0m Runabout offshore from Fremantle on an unusually calm day but headed far enough offshore to find a bit of chop to play in. One must remember that this is a five-metre aluminium boat and not meant for Indian Ocean crossings, however, for its size, it is without doubt one of the best-riding aluminium boats I've driven.

The testboat was powered by a 75hp two-stroke Mercury outboard which provided more than enough power. Top speed was 55kmh at 5100rpm, which indicates the outboard could have done with a smaller prop. Comfortable cruise speed into a small headsea was around 40kmh and 4000rpm.

The 5.0m Runabout has a 120lt fueltank which will provide excellent range - especially if a four-stroke outboard is the chosen powerplant.

The outboard is bolted directly to the transom. The outboardwell is obviously centrally located, with checkerplate boarding platforms on either side. The portside boarding platform features a sturdy drop-down dive ladder. Grabrails on either side assist when boarding the boat from the water.

A large transom door provides access to the cockpit from the port boarding platform. This is another rare feature on a boat of this size. Again it is the fully-welded floor which provides enough tortional strength to allow the transom door to be fitted. Putting a transom door in most aluminium boats of this size would result in excessive flexing at the transom.

EXTRA SEATING
Centrally located against the transom bulkhead is a storage box with padded top, thus providing additional seating. This box houses the battery and oil reservoir and still has enough room to store other necessities.

Good-sized sidepockets are raised to allow for toe placement and the floor is fully carpeted. Gunwales feature grabrails, flush-mounted rodholders and cross-bollards in the transom corners. Cross-bollards would be better replaced with cleats.

Padded pedestal seating was provided for both skipper and passenger, with good vision through the windscreen while seated. If a standing helm position was required the bimini can either be folded forward or a zippered section in the bimini top simply opened up.

The dash configuration is fairly standard with sports steering wheel, compass, sounder and basic gauges. The throttle felt a little high while seated but was okay when standing.

The dash in front of the passenger features a lockable glovebox, switchpanel and 27MHz radio. I thought the radio should be mounted on the starboard so the skipper doesn't have to reach to the other side of the boat for the microphone.

A small mesh barrier has been welded across the floor below the dash. This is obviously to stop goods moving aft while underway. This would be a good place to locate a fishbox or similar to store lifejackets and safety equipment as there is no real storage apart from the aft box.

Between the two dash sections is a recess which allows easy access to the anchorwell. The central windscreen panel is hinged, which also aids anchoring duties.

The bow area features a cross-bollard aft of the anchorwell and a low-profile split bowrail.

Because the Trailcraft 5.0m Runabout features a 4mm plate bottom and 3mm plate sides it is considerably heavier than comparable aluminium runabouts, which translates to a softer ride.

The Trailcraft is certainly a well-constructed boat and some if its unique features provide an edge over its competition. If you are in the market for an aluminium boat and are more interested in strength, quality of construction and safety rather than price, then I would definitely take a closer look at a Trailcraft.