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Trapper 400
Designer: Cuthbertson & Cassian  ·  Builder: Trapper Yachts Ltd, (Uk)  ·  First built: 1970
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About the Trapper 400

A capable and purposeful cruising sailboat, the Trapper 400 is a British design that earned a solid reputation among coastal and offshore sailors during its production years. Built with an emphasis on seaworthiness and practical liveaboard capability, the Trapper 400 appeals to sailors looking for a boat that can handle open water passages without sacrificing comfort at anchor or in harbor. Designed with a beamy hull form, the Trapper 400 offers generous interior volume for its size, making it well suited to couples or small crews planning extended coastal cruising or bluewater passages. The layout below decks is typically practical and well thought out, reflecting the priorities of sailors who intend to spend serious time aboard rather than simply day sailing. While detailed specifications can be limited, the Trapper 400 has maintained a loyal following among British cruising communities, suggesting that those who have owned and sailed the design hold it in genuine regard. For buyers exploring the used market in search of a sturdy, no-nonsense offshore cruiser with character, the Trapper 400 is well worth investigating further.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 28.17 ft / 8.59 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
Beam 8.33 ft / 2.54 m
Max Draft 4.75 ft / 1.45 m
Displacement 4,775.00 lb / 2,166 kg
Ballast 2,250.00 lb / 1,021 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Cuthbertson & Cassian
Builder Trapper Yachts Ltd, (UK)
First Built 1970
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
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
47.12
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
200.2
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. 3.93 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 17.94
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.50 ft / 3.20 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 317.00 ft² / 29.45 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 200.20
How It Compares

vs. First 28 Beneteau, Hinterhoeller 28, Omega 28

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Trapper 400 ★
28.2 ft
First 28 Beneteau
28.2 ft
Hinterhoeller 28
28.3 ft
Omega 28
28.2 ft
LWL
Trapper 400 ★
22.0 ft
First 28 Beneteau
24.3 ft
Hinterhoeller 28
21.0 ft
Omega 28
24.0 ft
Beam
Trapper 400 ★
8.3 ft
First 28 Beneteau
9.8 ft
Hinterhoeller 28
8.4 ft
Omega 28
9.6 ft
Displacement
Trapper 400 ★
4 lbs
First 28 Beneteau
5 lbs
Hinterhoeller 28
6 lbs
Omega 28
6 lbs
Ballast
Trapper 400 ★
2 lbs
First 28 Beneteau
2 lbs
Hinterhoeller 28
2 lbs
Omega 28
2 lbs
Sail Area
Trapper 400 ★
First 28 Beneteau
Hinterhoeller 28
364 sq ft
Omega 28
338 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Trapper 400 ★
First 28 Beneteau
Hinterhoeller 28
17.7
Omega 28
16.4
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Trapper 400 ★
47.1 %
First 28 Beneteau
37.1 %
Hinterhoeller 28
Omega 28
44.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Trapper 400 ★
First 28 Beneteau
Hinterhoeller 28
23.4
Omega 28
18.1
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Trapper 400 ★
First 28 Beneteau
Hinterhoeller 28
1.86
Omega 28
2.12
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Trapper 400 ★
200
First 28 Beneteau
Hinterhoeller 28
Omega 28
195
Hull Speed
Trapper 400 ★
First 28 Beneteau
Hinterhoeller 28
6.1 kts
Omega 28
6.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Trapper 400 ★
First 28 Beneteau
2.8
Hinterhoeller 28
1.9
Omega 28
2.7
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