Trailcraft Boats: we're back!
West Australian plate-aluminium boatbuilder Trailcraft Boats has survived the global financial crisis and is back in production.
Trailcraft hit the Australian market 11 years ago incorporating big boat features like selfdraining decks and fully sealed hulls into a range of small boats for recreational fishers.
In 2005 production at its Henderson factory peaked at 1100 boats per year — more than 20 boats a week were leaving the premises, many bound for the long list of dealerships in the eastern States. Company records show that over 6500 Trailcraft boats were, and probably still are, on the water around Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific and Canada.
Trailcraft Boats took on pressed aluminium dinghy and runabout manufacturers in the eastern states, offering recreational boaters and fishing enthusiasts a craft built using plate-aluminium, and a range of models from the 4.65m Freestyle to the 7.60m Trailblazer.
While production ground to a halt during recent hard times, owner Brett Martin’s South Fremantle retail outlet, Saltwater Marine, open. Trailcraft hulls are now making a comeback sporting a few cosmetic changes. These include a moulded fibreglass passenger and helm dash, with the engine gauges mounted in a binnacle in front of the skipper, a seating and upholstery upgrade, new decal striping on the sides and grabrails around the windscreen.
Visit www.trailcraft.com.au for more info.
Photo: A Trailcraft 680 with a 150 Merc Verado.