The Trapper 501 Sailboat

The Trapper 501, a masthead sloop, was designed by Rob Ball and built in the UK by Trapper Yachts Ltd.

A Trapper 501 sailing in the River Tamar in Devon, UK

A Trapper 501 sailing in the River Tamar, Devon, UK

Both the Trapper 500 and the 501 were based on the C&C 37. The 501 differed from the 500 by a different coach roof and interior mouldings

Published Specification for the Trapper 501

Underwater Configuration: Fin with spade rudder

Hull Material: GRP (fibreglass)

Length Overall: 27' 4" / 8.33m

Waterline Length: 22' 2" / 6.76m

Beam: 9' 2" / 2.80m

Draft: 4' 3" / 1.30m

Rig Type: Masthead Sloop

Displacement: 5,180lb / 2,350kg

Designer: Rob Ball (Camper & Nicholson)

Builder: Trapper Yachts Ltd (UK)

Year First Built: 1977

Year Last Built: 1987

Number Built: 600

Published Design Ratios for the Trapper 501

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 18.4

Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 48.5

Displacement/Length Ratio: 212

Comfort Ratio: 17.6

Capsize Screening Formula: 2.1

Summary Analysis of Published Design Ratios for the Trapper 501

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A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 18.4 suggests that she'll approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.

A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 48.5 means that she'll stand up well to her canvas in a blow, enabling her to power through the waves.

A Displacement/Length Ratio of 212, tells us she's a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.

Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 17.6 suggests that crew comfort in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a lightweight racing boat. Upwind she'll slam enough to shake your fillings out with a motion that cruising sailors have no desire to get used to.

Her Capsize Screening Formula of 2.1 tells us that she would not be a good choice of sailboat for ocean passage-making.

Trapper 501 Sailboat: A Fun and Affordable Cruiser

Are you looking for a sailboat that can take you on coastal adventures, weekend getaways, or even longer voyages? Do you want a boat that is easy to handle, comfortable to live on, and won't break the bank? If so, you might want to check out the Trapper 501 sailboat, a 27-foot sloop that has a lot to offer for recreational sailors.

The Trapper 501 is a British-built boat that was designed by Robert Ball and C&C Design, based on the popular C&C 27 hull. It was produced between 1981 and 1987, and about 600 units were made. The Trapper 501 is a versatile boat that can suit different sailing styles and preferences. It has a fin keel or a bilge keel option, a tiller or a wheel steering option, and a standard or a tall mast option. It also has a spacious cockpit, a sleek coach roof, and a well-appointed interior.

In this article, we will give you an overview of the Trapper 501 sailing boat, its accommodation layout, its hull and deck features, its mast and rigging setup, and its keel and rudder design. We will also tell you why we think the Trapper 501 yacht is a great choice for anyone who loves sailing.

Overview
The Trapper 501 is a masthead sloop that has a moderate displacement of 2,350 kg and a ballast of 1,139 kg. It has a length overall of 8.3 m, a waterline length of 6.8 m, a beam of 2.8 m, and a draft of 1.3 m. It has a sail area of 32 m², which gives it a sail area/displacement ratio of 18.4. This means that the Trapper 501 is a lively and responsive boat that can perform well in light to moderate winds.

The Trapper 501 has a fiberglass hull and deck that are solidly built and have good resistance to osmosis. The hull shape is similar to the C&C 27 MKI, which is known for its speed and seaworthiness. The deck layout is simple and functional, with wide side decks, sturdy stanchions and lifelines, an anchor locker, two large cockpit lockers, and four mooring cleats. The cockpit is roomy and comfortable, with coamings that provide good back support, and an optional dodger that can protect from spray and sun.

The Trapper 501 has two engine options: a Dolphin 12 hp gas engine or a Yanmar 10 hp diesel engine. Both engines are reliable and economical, and can provide enough power for maneuvering in tight spaces or motoring in calm conditions. The engine is located under the companionway steps, and can be accessed from the front or the sides. The fuel tank capacity is not specified, but it is estimated to be around 40 liters.

Accommodation
The Trapper 501 has an attractive and cozy interior that can sleep up to five people. The cabin headroom is not specified, but it is reported to be around 1.8 m in the main saloon area. The cabin sole is made of teak and holly, and the bulkheads are covered with white vinyl or wood veneer. The upholstery is usually blue or beige, and the cushions are thick and comfortable.

The accommodation layout consists of:

A V-berth in the forepeak, with storage shelves on both sides, an opening hatch above, and a privacy curtain;
A head compartment to port, with a marine toilet, a sink with cold water faucet, a mirror, and storage lockers;
A hanging locker to starboard, opposite the head;
A U-shaped dinette to port in the main saloon area, with a folding table that can convert to a double berth;
A settee/berth to starboard in the main saloon area, with storage lockers above and below;
A navigation station to starboard at the aft end of the main saloon area, with a chart table that can slide out from under the settee/berth seat;
A galley to port at the aft end of the main saloon area, with a two-burner stove with oven or grill (gas or alcohol), a sink with cold water faucet (manual or pressurized), an icebox (or optional refrigerator), and storage cabinets;
A quarter berth to port behind the galley (or optional wet locker).

The Trapper 501 has four opening ports and two opening hatches that provide good ventilation and natural light in the cabin. It also has several fixed windows on the coach roof sides that add to the spacious feel of the interior. The cabin lighting is provided by 12V lamps or optional halogen lights.

Hull and Deck
The Trapper 501 has a fiberglass hull and deck that are molded in one piece and bonded together with an inward flange. The hull is reinforced with a molded grid of stringers and bulkheads that provide stiffness and strength. The deck is cored with balsa wood or foam, except in high-stress areas where it is solid. The hull and deck are finished with gelcoat, which is usually white or cream, with a blue or red stripe along the sheer line.

The Trapper 501 has a fin keel or a bilge keel option, depending on the sailing area and the preference of the owner. The fin keel is made of cast iron, and has a moderate aspect ratio and a bulb at the bottom. It provides good stability and performance, especially upwind. The bilge keel is also made of cast iron, and has two shallow fins that are angled outwards from the hull. It provides good stability and allows the boat to dry out on tidal flats.

The Trapper 501 has a spade rudder that is attached to a stainless steel stock. The rudder is balanced and has a low drag profile. It provides good steering control and maneuverability, especially at low speeds. The rudder is protected by a skeg that extends from the aft end of the keel.

The Trapper 501 has a tiller or a wheel steering option, depending on the preference of the owner. The tiller steering is simple and direct, and gives good feedback from the rudder. The wheel steering is more comfortable and convenient, and allows better visibility from the cockpit. The wheel steering system consists of a pedestal-mounted wheel, a chain-and-cable linkage, and a quadrant on the rudder stock.

Mast and Rigging
The Trapper 501 has a masthead sloop rig that consists of a single mast, a single forestay, two upper shrouds, two lower shrouds, two aft lower shrouds, and a split backstay. The mast is made of aluminum alloy, and can be either deck-stepped or keel-stepped, depending on the preference of the owner. The mast has two sets of spreaders that are either straight or swept-back, depending on the model year. The mast also has an optional spinnaker pole track.

The Trapper 501 has a standard or a tall mast option, depending on the sailing area and the preference of the owner. The standard mast has a height of 10.7 m above the waterline, and is suitable for inland or coastal sailing. The tall mast has a height of 11.6 m above the waterline, and is suitable for offshore sailing or racing.

The Trapper 501 has a boom that is made of aluminum alloy, and has an internal outhaul and reefing lines. The boom also has an optional vang that can control the leech tension of the mainsail.

The Trapper 501 has a mainsail that has a sail area of 13.9 m², and can be either slab-reefed or roller-reefed (in-mast or in-boom), depending on the preference of the owner. The mainsail also has an optional battened roach that can increase the sail area and performance.

The Trapper 501 has a genoa that has a sail area of 18.1 m², and can be either hanked-on or roller-furled (on the forestay), depending on the preference of the owner. The genoa also has an optional foam luff that can improve the shape and performance when partially furled.

The Trapper 501 can also carry other sails, such as a jib, a spinnaker, or a cruising chute, depending on the sailing conditions and the preference of the owner.

Keel and Rudder
The Trapper 501 has a fin keel or a bilge keel option, depending on the sailing area and the preference of the owner. Both keels are made of cast iron, and have bolts that attach them to the hull.

The fin keel has a moderate aspect ratio and a bulb at the bottom. It provides good stability and performance, especially upwind. It also reduces leeway and improves pointing ability. The fin keel has a draft of 1.3 m.

The bilge keel has two shallow fins that are angled outwards from the hull. It provides good stability and allows the boat to dry out on tidal flats. It also reduces rolling motion in waves and improves tracking ability. The bilge keel has a draft of 0.9 m.

The rudder is protected by a skeg that extends from the aft end of the keel. The skeg helps to support the rudder and to reduce the risk of damage from grounding or collision.

The Trapper 501 has a tiller or a wheel steering option, depending on the preference of the owner. Both steering systems are connected to the rudder by a chain-and-cable linkage and a quadrant on the rudder stock.

Conclusion
The Trapper 501 sailboat is a fun and affordable cruiser that can appeal to a wide range of sailors. It has a versatile design that can adapt to different sailing styles and preferences. It has a spacious cockpit, a sleek coach roof, and a well-appointed interior. It has a lively and responsive performance that can handle light to moderate winds. It has a solid and seaworthy construction that can withstand the elements. It has a simple and functional rig that can carry different sails. It has a fin keel or a bilge keel option that can suit different sailing areas. It has a spade rudder that provides good steering control and maneuverability.

If you are looking for a sailboat that can take you on coastal adventures, weekend getaways, or even longer voyages, you might want to check out the Trapper 501 sailing boat.

It is a boat that can offer you a lot of fun and satisfaction, without costing you a fortune.

This article was written with the assistance of Gemini, a large language model developed by Google. Gemini was used to gather information, summarize research findings, and provide suggestions for the content and structure of the article.