A 1980 refresh produced the 501, which used the same hull mold but gained an extended galley and modified keel and rudder. Across both marks, roughly 499 examples of the 500 and many more 501s were completed before the marque wound down in the late 1980s.
Design and Construction
The hull is a solid fibreglass shell with a thick laminate. Surveyors noted both that mass and a beautifully slippery underwater profile, traits that help explain the boat’s reputation for taking rough weather if necessary.
Ballast is about 2,512 lb of iron on a displacement of 5,180 lb, giving a ballast-displacement ratio near 48 percent. With a 22-foot waterline and an overall length of 27 feet 4 inches, the design keeps wetted surface manageable.
The 501 retained the 500’s hull but introduced a redesigned coachroof and updated interior moldings. A twin bilge-keel option joined the fin-keel version. The fin-keel 500 draws 5 feet, while the bilge-keel version draws just 3 feet 6 inches.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The 500 is a masthead sloop with 317 square feet of sail. The Trapper earns repeated praise for a quick turn of speed that can embarrass some modern yachts. Owners and test sailors alike found her fast in her day, with good sailing characteristics. In just 15 knots of breeze, she can reach six knots very quickly.
The trade-off is at the helm. The original 500’s rudder can be heavy to handle, especially under power. This stems from the pre-1980 steering geometry rather than any reported structural fault. The 501’s modified rudder formed part of the later redesign.
Accommodation
The Trapper is spacious for family cruising, with just under 6 feet of headroom near the companionway. Its dinette layout leaves a gangway to one side. The boat was built to sleep six, with a settee berth opposite the dinette and a quarter-berth under the cockpit. However, a period owner cautioned that six people on an 8.5-metre boat is rather too many.
The original galley has no worktop unless you count putting the lid on the sink. The 501 addressed that limitation with an extended galley. Its updated interior moldings also make the later boats more civilized cruisers.
Engines and Fuel
The specification record lists a 12 hp gasoline RCA/Dolphin as the standard engine, while at least one well-documented 500 carried an 8 hp Yanmar. That discrepancy means a buyer should verify what is actually installed in the engine bay.
Fuel capacity is modest at about 5 gallons, consistent with a boat designed for sailing rather than motoring.
Known Issues
The class has no history of osmosis, and there is no reported structural fault in the solid hull construction. The one documented handling shortfall is the original 500’s heavy rudder, particularly under power.
The Verdict
The Trapper 500/501 is a Canadian-derived cruiser that punches above its length under sail. Its thick, solid hull has aged without osmosis scares, while its quick hull form gives lively performance.
The 501 refines the accommodation and steering with its extended galley, updated interior moldings, and modified keel and rudder. The 500 retains the simpler layout and heavier helm. Either can make a capable family weekender if the engine and galley suit your plans.
Pros
- Quick turn of speed on a slippery hull, capable of embarrassing some modern yachts
- Thick, solid hull with no class history of osmosis
- Spacious, family-oriented interior with a quarter-berth
- The 501 brought an extended galley and modified keel and rudder
Cons
- Original 500’s rudder is heavy, especially under power
- Original galley lacks a proper worktop
- Stated six-berth capacity is tight for the boat’s length
- Modest fuel capacity
- Ambiguity over engine makes between the specification record and documented examples
