Buried treasure trove of information uncovered for trailer sailers

JOHN Crawford Marine at 1029 Manly Road, Tingalpa, Brisbane, has created a valuable trailer sailer reference library for the boating public, based on information gathered by the dealership and customers over the past 45 years.

Matthew Hodson, owner and managing director of John Crawford Marine, has released digitally reworked marketing brochures, boat tests, reviews and general information gathered since John Crawford Marine started a boatyard on the Esplanade at Wynnum in 1964. 

Matthew said he recently found himself in a unique position cataloguing the Queensland history of trailer yachts - better known as trailer sailers - which were once an integral part of the marine industry.

“After being involved in the sale of new and used trailer sailers for the past four decades, a treasure trove of information had been buried in our storeroom.

“I realised the original documentation which we had accumulated was a valuable research resource that needed to be preserved and shared,” said Matthew. 

With the help and assistance of current and previous staff, John Crawford Marine has catalogued all the information and uploaded it to its website (www.johncrawfordmarine.com.au) for free public access. 

The resource includes information on 125 make and models of trailer sailers.

Although manufacture of trailer sailers has dwindled in Australia, Matthew maintains the once popular trailer sailer is making a comeback.

He said that, during the mid 80’s, inflation and the increased cost of petroleum based products, such as fibreglass resin, caused the price of trailer sailer manufacture to skyrocket. 

“With the sudden huge rise in price, the average family could no longer afford the boats and the industry all but collapsed,” said Matthew.

“But a few loyal boat builders continued to produce low volume/high quality trailer sailers for the local market. 

“With the current high cost of fuel, rising marina storage charges and the changing economic climate, I am beginning to see a return to trailer sailers once again as an affordable form of  boating.”

Matthew said the newly released resource material, which includes owners’ stories, would help potential trailer sailer owners make an informed choice on size and brand on used makes that would otherwise be near impossible to find.

John Crawford Marine invites anyone with literature, photos or stories, which would be suitable for inclusion in the library, to email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or post to John Crawford Marine, PO Box 351, Cannon Hill, Qld, 4170.

Over the years, brands sold through the John Crawford Marine dealership have included the Farr 6000 and 7500 built in Auckland, New Zealand, the Sunmaid 20 and Sunbird 25 made in South Australia, the Hood 20 and 23, Clipper 17 and 21 made in Queensland and the Sabre 22 imported from New Zealand, prior to being manufactured in Clontarf, Queensland.

John Crawford Marine works in conjunction with the Trailer Sailer Club of Queensland and Matthew said the TSCQ webpage (www.tscq.org.au) also contained information that may assist in trailer sailer research.

Ed