I am going to update boats soon, I liked the look of this trailcraft but my mate says they often crack at the transom.
I have done a search and found little info. At some point in time did trailcraft realise that there was a problem and re-engineer? If so build date ? Or is it best avoiding them altogether? I believe they are now made in china.
Thanks in advance. Steve
I have a friend who has one and loves it....smashes it over rough bars all the time at Maroochy...in any weather...goes lobster crabbing west of Perth.
Only probs he has had was when a big wave got him on the Maroochy bar and he took green water over his windscreen and smashed it in. No problems with hull cracking and he has had the boat for about 6 years at least
If I was in the market for a larger boat, a Trailer Craft it would be.
Gotta Love Maroochydore.
Worth doing an advanced search on here and reading some old threads about them.
Steve,
We have had a 5.0 Profish for 10 years now. Great boat, but yes it has developed a small crack (~2cm) on the transom. It was when we were in some very rough waters coming back through the bay (lost the transducer and popped out the inspection hatch at the same!). it hasnt gotten any bigger and we are keeping a close eye on it - but we should get it welded back up.
Apart from that, highly recommend the trailcraft. As our boat is 10 years old it is likely trailcraft have fixed the problem if it was widespread.
Hi mate, i have had a pro fish for 9 years nearly now. I had the boat transom fixed under warrenty at about year 4 ( 5 year hull warrenty) Apart from the inital design fault at the transom (which was rectified by trailcraft around 2007 i think?) the boat is built like a brick sh$$house and i've never even looked like breaking it. It is used offshore all the time and regulary crosses bars. It is a wet boat but being an open design most are if the wind and conditions are against you. I'm not too sure i'd be keen on 1 made in china but thats not to say they are no good.
Check the transom is braced well and you should have no dramas..
Jas
Hi Steve, What one are you looking at? I have a 610 trailblazer. It is 5 years old now with over 600 hrs pretty much all offshore. Havent had an issue with the transom cracking, touch wood. A relative had a 465 profish and he never had any issues, they used it offshore and had several trips to the NT in it. I am happy withmy boat and maintain that at the time i bought it there was nothing else on the market at the price matching the size and specs we wanted. This was pre GFC when we bought it. Now with the price of second hand boats i think there are some much better quality boats far more reasonably priced and i would be looking there first. ALl the best with your choice. Dan.
Dan sounds like a nice boat but I'm looking at 4.8 - 5.2 m.
Jas - thanks for the info, could you possibly post a pic of the strengthened transom, is it internal or external brace?
I performed an advanced search and found that there seems to be alot more quintrexes cracking than trailcraft, i know that more quinnys are sold than trailcraft. Have these boats just been asked to do a job they were never designed to do?
Thanks for the info Steve
It was mainly the larger 5.4 - 6.0+ mtr ones back in the mid 2000's that had the issues,they only had 3mm transoms and it was the upper mounting that tore out (literally) with bigger HP also the top mounting would compress when the engine bolts were done up trailcraft got the dealers to fit dispersion washers to try and compensate for the thin material.
I also looked at one being repaired in Cairns and the underfloor bracing/gussets were shocking.........one bulkhead would have had more than a dozen pieces of scrap welded together for a structual bulkhead and also where they had faired along the chine the welding had missed both sides and it was only sealed by bog that had fallen out which left a gap big enough to put a steel ruler through.
It's a real pity that the structual side of things let them down so bad as they are a well finished off boat(topsides) and look great IMO.
After seeing this i could'nt bring myself to have one knowing what could be underneath that sealed deck.
Even saying this i know two people with them and they have had no dramas at all..obviosly had a tradesman work on theirs that gave a shit.
Dan
Confidence.......the feeling you get before you fully understand the situation.
Hi Steve.I have a 2007 Trailcraft 540 Sportscab,and have had no issues with cracks in the transom and love the boat .Its a pity that they are no longer Aussie made
They were made here in WA. My brother has the 5.8 sports cab 2005 model. So far no issues with the transom.
They are a well made solid boat.
I currently have a plate ali (Alutech) and the transom motor holding plate started to crack. It cost $200 to strengthen.
Hundreds of trailcraft here, the only thing I don't like about them is the relativley moderate deadrise. Good for stability, but they bang a bit in the chop. No big deal, just drive to the conditions.
i have a 5.8 trailblazer , awesome boat that is built like a truck . no hint of cracking . been out in some rough seas and never felt unsafe . i was suprised a previous poster said his was a wet boat , i hardly ever get spray on the screen even on the roughest of days . oh ............did i mention its for sale https://seller.carsalesnetwork.com.au/sse/landing.aspx
I had one, never any problems, very well constructed apart from poor finish of welds & paintwork (origional WA built).
Only reason I sold it was my poor old bones couldnt handle the very rough ride. Take one for a run offshore before you buy.
Just my opinion.
I had 2 trailcrafts a 4.7 and a 5m , I purchased the 5m because I was told they were so much better. I never had any issues with cracks but as previously stated. They will break your back and you will get soaking wet in all weather. The scuppers let water in when closed at anchor in any chop. Although I lost a lot of money on them I was happy when I seen the end of them. I contacted TC in WA about how wet they were but they would not make a comment. I ended up with a old Milligan Nipper (glass) boat which out preformed the TC in every way. I tried various things to try and improve how wet they were but all failed.
good looking boat but overpriced IMO
Aren't they chinese owned and made now?
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