Trailcraft 5800 Trailblazer

Trailerboat recently took a whirlwind trip to Fremantle to test a number of WA-built boats. One of those boats was Trailcraft's 5800 Trailblazer. (Trailcraft are certainly making there presence felt in the production aluminium boat market with no less than 30 dealers Australia-wide.)

With a long list of boats to test, it was 4pm before we finally got onboard the Trailblazer. We launched the boat at the South Fremantle Yacht Club in the calm of the marina, but travelling along the breakwall, we saw waves propelled by 20kt winds.

The Fremantle Doctor was definitely consulting that afternoon!

Poking the boat's bow around the end of the breakwall, we were greeted by very large chop. It was an extremely confused sea - it felt like being in a giant washing machine.

Running downsea, the boat dropped into deep troughs without putting the bow under. Such is the boat's buoyancy, the bow came straight up and pushed over the crest of the next wave.

There was quite a bit of spray to contend with, as big waves hit us from three directions, but the hull integrity was impressive.

Fitted with single-ram HyDrive hydraulic steering pushing a Mercury 115hp four-stroke, the steering is quite effortless, even when under power at full lock. However, the steering pump is endless. Meaning that when the engine is on full lock and can turn no further, the steering wheel continues to turn on demand. Therefore, when the motor is returned to centre, the wheel is not in its original position. With most sports steering wheels, including the one fitted to the testboat, the spokes are not symmetrical, so steering dead ahead is not a matter of looking at the wheel position.

With all the rough stuff out of the way, we ducked behind the breakwall and cranked up the handheld GPS to do a few speed-to-rev comparisons.

The boat planed at 16kmh while doing 3000rpm. A quick cruise was achieved at 4000rpm, which saw the GPS register 32kmh. The 115hp Merc revved out at 5700rpm and produced a top speed of 55kmh.

While in the calm, we took time out to have a look at the boat's features. It has a sealed bowsprit from which heavy-duty bowrails emanate before running aft along the side of the cabin.

The anchorwell is open and big enough to handle all the required ground tackle. As well as the standard bollard, a U-shaped lug, through which the anchor chain is locked, has been fitted to prevent it coming adrift in rough conditions.

The foredeck, cabin roof and sidedecks are neatly rolled with non-slip material. These sidedecks provide the only access to the bow, as there is no ceiling hatch fitted as standard.

The helm area is protected by a bimini cover supported by a folding targa that incorporates a six-pot rocket launcher. Clears are positioned between the bimini and the windscreen, while the canopy includes an extension that provides additional cover over the cockpit.

The dashboard on the testboat featured a Lowrance X85 sounder that was operating at all speeds, while a Garmin 128 GPS guided the way. These two units fit neatly on top of the narrow dash, but units with larger housings might be difficult to mount in this position due to the swept-back screen encroaching on the area.

An angled facia features Mercury instrumentation fitted side by side.

A 27MHz radio and stereo cassette player are centrally located on the dash, the speakers for which are installed in the side panels of the helm area.

Two swivel seats, mounted on a raised box arrangement, serve the skipper and passenger. Tilting the seats forward provides access to the storage compartment below. A flush-mounted vertical hatch opening into the cockpit in both seatboxes gives access to dry storage.

The carpeted deck area extends through the entire boat. A fully sealed and self-draining, scuppered deck is uninterrupted, with the exception of a footrail featuring an amplimesh insert that prevents stowed gear from marching out onto the deck during a bumpy ride.

A storage box with a padded seat top is fixed against the transom amidships. To its starboard side is a short storage pocket across the transom, while on the port side there is access to a large transom door that leads to the boarding platform.

A fold-down ladder is installed, and its angle, when lowered, makes it easy to board and disembark without overbalancing.

The Trailcraft 5800 Trailblazer is a tough, no-nonsense plate aluminium boat that would suit a variety of purposes. Safety provided by its fully-sealed deck and its ability to handle rough water with integrity are highlights.

Serious fishos will want to add personal touches, but the basis for a comfortable and affordable family fishing boat is certainly there.