Back to Search
Trapper 300
Designer: Bruce Kirby  ·  Builder: Trapper Yachts Ltd. (Uk)  ·  First built: 1976
+ Add to Compare
About the Trapper 300

Designed as a compact and capable cruiser-racer, the Trapper 300 emerged from the British boatbuilding scene as a practical choice for sailors seeking versatility without the complexity of a larger vessel. Built to appeal to both weekend cruisers and club racers, this small keelboat earned a following among sailors who valued manageable proportions and lively performance in coastal and inshore waters. The Trapper 300 is well suited to sheltered coastal sailing, estuary exploration, and competitive club racing, making it an attractive option for those stepping up from a dinghy or looking for an affordable entry into keelboat ownership. Its modest size keeps running costs and mooring fees reasonable, a practical advantage that has helped sustain interest in the class over the years. With a one-design pedigree, the boat rewards skillful helmsmanship and offers a genuine racing experience within its class. For prospective buyers, the Trapper 300 represents an accessible and rewarding platform — one where sailing ability matters more than the size of the budget, and where spirited performance can still be found close to home.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 26.25 ft / 8.00 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.58 ft / 6.27 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 4.92 ft / 1.50 m
Displacement 4,410.00 lb / 2,000 kg
Ballast 1,900.00 lb / 862 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Bruce Kirby
Builder Trapper Yachts Ltd. (UK)
First Built 1976
Number Built 180
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
229
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
43.08
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
225.87
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 3.53 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 16.35
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 274.00 ft² / 25.46 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Yanmar
How It Compares

vs. Bombardier 76, First 26 Beneteau, Marieholm 26, Pearson 26 One Design, Tanzer 26

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Trapper 300 ★
26.3 ft
Bombardier 76
26.3 ft
First 26 Beneteau
26.3 ft
Marieholm 26
26.3 ft
Pearson 26 One Design
26.2 ft
Tanzer 26
26.3 ft
LWL
Trapper 300 ★
20.6 ft
Bombardier 76
22.5 ft
First 26 Beneteau
22.9 ft
Marieholm 26
20.2 ft
Pearson 26 One Design
21.7 ft
Tanzer 26
22.5 ft
Beam
Trapper 300 ★
8.0 ft
Bombardier 76
8.5 ft
First 26 Beneteau
9.2 ft
Marieholm 26
7.2 ft
Pearson 26 One Design
8.7 ft
Tanzer 26
8.7 ft
Displacement
Trapper 300 ★
4 lbs
Bombardier 76
3 lbs
First 26 Beneteau
4 lbs
Marieholm 26
5 lbs
Pearson 26 One Design
5 lbs
Tanzer 26
4 lbs
Ballast
Trapper 300 ★
1 lbs
Bombardier 76
985 lbs
First 26 Beneteau
1 lbs
Marieholm 26
2 lbs
Pearson 26 One Design
2 lbs
Tanzer 26
1 lbs
Sail Area
Trapper 300 ★
Bombardier 76
338 sq ft
First 26 Beneteau
291 sq ft
Marieholm 26
291 sq ft
Pearson 26 One Design
321 sq ft
Tanzer 26
282 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Trapper 300 ★
229 s/nm
Bombardier 76
First 26 Beneteau
Marieholm 26
Pearson 26 One Design
Tanzer 26
216 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Trapper 300 ★
Bombardier 76
24.5
First 26 Beneteau
16.4
Marieholm 26
15.0
Pearson 26 One Design
17.2
Tanzer 26
17.0
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Trapper 300 ★
43.1 %
Bombardier 76
29.9 %
First 26 Beneteau
30.2 %
Marieholm 26
Pearson 26 One Design
42.3 %
Tanzer 26
44.8 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Trapper 300 ★
Bombardier 76
12.5
First 26 Beneteau
16.2
Marieholm 26
27.8
Pearson 26 One Design
19.7
Tanzer 26
16.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Trapper 300 ★
Bombardier 76
2.29
First 26 Beneteau
2.18
Marieholm 26
1.64
Pearson 26 One Design
2.00
Tanzer 26
2.13
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Trapper 300 ★
225
Bombardier 76
129
First 26 Beneteau
178
Marieholm 26
Pearson 26 One Design
228
Tanzer 26
170
Hull Speed
Trapper 300 ★
Bombardier 76
6.4 kts
First 26 Beneteau
6.4 kts
Marieholm 26
6.0 kts
Pearson 26 One Design
6.2 kts
Tanzer 26
6.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Trapper 300 ★
Bombardier 76
4.4
First 26 Beneteau
2.9
Marieholm 26
1.6
Pearson 26 One Design
2.4
Tanzer 26
3.1
Find a Trapper 300 For Sale