Trailcraft powers ahead
Hello Everyone - My name is Brett Martin and i am the owner (past present and future) of Trailcraft Boats.
Since i started Trailcraft over 10 years ago, i have often logged on to different forums to read what people are saying about Trailcraft. I have never included myself within the forum discussions because i believe it best that a forum run independantly of someone who has a vested interest in giving opinions. I would like to be a part of the forum in the future, but it will only be on the basis of everyone knowing that i am the owner of Trailcraft and my obvious thinking that Trailcraft is the best.
Their has been alot of miss-information written about Trailcraft and i thought this a great opportunity for everyone to hear it from the "horses mouth". As with most boat manufacturers - Trailcraft has had a tough time through the GFC - the good news is we have come through this period stronger and better - a bit wiser and a bit leaner.
*We have been and are currently producing boats.
*We have retained "selectively" the prodominance of our Australian dealer network.
*We have increased our warranty from 3-5 years on all new boats produced
*We are continuing to support our brand and warranty - now and in the future
*We will remain a national powerhouse brand.
I would like to thank all of you for your supportive - favourable and constructive comments in the past.
To the existing Trailcraft owners (6000 australia wide) - i would like to thank you for your loyalty and hope you get many more hours enjoyment from your boat.
Thanks everyone - Cheers Brett
- 6130 reads
wadetolley
Posts: 2258
Date Joined: 27/06/08
Cheers
Cheers for clearing that up mate...all the best for the future!
profish540
Posts: 221
Date Joined: 28/03/09
Great news
Thanks for the update Brett.
Bloody good boats.So glad to here you made it through.
cudbfishn
Posts: 1311
Date Joined: 06/04/09
Yer thats awesome.
That clears a whole heap of rumurs up for me. Now just need to save some mulah.
fords_rule85
Posts: 116
Date Joined: 05/03/09
Good news
Just purchased a second hand trailcraft 4.7 runabout recently and am impressed with the complete package
trailcraft_tony
Posts: 75
Date Joined: 15/12/09
yeah I bought a second hand
yeah I bought a second hand trailcraft and am very pleased with it and am glad they will be around in the future as the one I have is a good all around boat.
carps
Posts: 126
Date Joined: 01/03/10
Great news, i have one and
Great news, i have one and am really impressed with it.
Solid boats and good luck producing the new lot!!!
Rodrat
Posts: 1672
Date Joined: 13/01/07
Trailcraft
As an owner of a Trailcraft boat i counld't be happier with the boat. From a customer service point of view i think Saltwater marine could do with some lessons. I know i'm not the only one on this site who thinks that either.
FISH FOR THE FUTURE
Rod P
Posts: 725
Date Joined: 20/05/08
I can vouch for Brett he's
I can vouch for Brett he's not that bad a bloke really, loves his fishing as well so hopefully he'll stick up a few good fishy picks.
To say that i'm happy to see an Australian boat builder let alone a local manufacturer plugging through makes me very happy is a huge understatment.
Looking forward to bigger and better things..
scottbec
Posts: 242
Date Joined: 18/01/07
good news
This is great news and very good to hear it from the horses mouth too...
As west aussies we can be pretty proud that this is all true.
I bought mine second hand, but it was pretty much brand new with just a few hours on it. I am very happy with it. I do hope to one day upgrade to a bigger version, but this one suits me 100% at the moment.
It would be a good idea to put an update like this on your webpage too.
Cheers,
Scott
PJAY
Posts: 1005
Date Joined: 12/05/09
brett great to see you and
brett great to see you and your company made it through....well done. quick question have you ever attempted to create or thinking of creating a twin hull trailcraft??
The Kimberley....perfect one day and more perfect the next!!!
Indiana
Posts: 307
Date Joined: 15/12/09
Hi Brett Welcome ..... Nice
Hi Brett
Welcome ..... Nice to hear you made it through !
" IF YOUR NOT GOING TO EAT IT ......PUT IT BACK WHERE YOU CAUGHT IT"
dodgy
Posts: 4577
Date Joined: 01/02/10
I have a question for you
I have a question for you Brett.
With the fallout from the GFC meaning tough times for many Aussie boatbuilders, some weathered the storm and some went belly up. My understanding was Trailcraft dealers paid for stock up front so any customers losing money would have been at no fault of Trailcrafts.
One only has to have a look at a few of the popular forums Australia wide to see how peoples dreams of a new boat have dissapeared along with hard earned savings, never to be seen again.
Can you please confirm that all of Trailcrafts debts were paid out before boatbuilding has recommenced?
It would be a true breath of fresh air for a genuine WA company to be able to put their hand on their heart and say that they went through tough times, called in professional help, downsized and sold off underperforming assets, paid out outstanding debts to suppliers and stepped out the otherside with a new look, leaner and more focused company.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
just dhu it
Posts: 1081
Date Joined: 14/05/09
well informed Brett
Thanks for the truth Brett,
Yep i have my second trailly and could always go for another, i have had no issues with my two rigs ,only personal items i would change but on a whole find the trailcraft rigs well constructed and have a high regard that i own a WA made boat and wish Trailcraft all the best in the future
dagree
Posts: 660
Date Joined: 08/12/07
Trailcraft
Will be on the market as soon as our current boat is sold. Trailcraft are on the top of our list (Albeit a second hand one). Called into Saltwater the other day to see what they had in stock and was told the same story as Brett's post after I quizzed the sales rep about the new ones in stock as I also thought production was no longer. Good to see a local company get back on their feet. Any chance of a good deal (New for 2nd hand price) for a positive post Brett
Cheers,
David
Cheers,
David (AKA Grumps)
Location: Heathridge. Toys: 120 Series Prado ... 5.3 Stacer Seamaster/Merc 90HP.
wazzbat
Posts: 977
Date Joined: 19/01/10
I hope that your customer
I hope that your customer service has improved. I remember when the old man bought his second hand Traicraft in 2003 (about 2 years old), I rang the company to find out how big the fuel tank was and see if I could get a kill tank cut in. They were very rude and could not be bothered helping at all! I was shocked when I got off the phone that a company with such a good name could act that way.
Dad is looking at upgrading probably next year and there's no way (since then) that he would buy another Trailcraft. There is no substitue for good service!
I fish for the future - Cause I can't bloody catch anything!
Anytime Brad
Posts: 237
Date Joined: 20/07/09
Glad to hear
Being a trailcraft owner and a happy one at that I am glad that they are back on their feet. They have a good product and being a WA bussiness makes it even better.
I would rather be fishing
Daniel Westerduin
Posts: 429
Date Joined: 30/10/06
My brother in-law bought a
My brother in-law bought a Trailcraft trailblazer 6.10m a while a go. It has plenty of freeboard, and also is fairly wide at the back giving quite a bit of fishing room. Awesome looking boat but we have been dissapointed in how it handles. Don't get me wrong it can handle huge seas, but you have to really fight with it to keep control. It would be very easy to stuff up. In a following sea it is shocking and just in our everyday 15-20knot seabreeze it is hard to handle. For its size it is really light on the water and the breeze catches it quickly making it harder to control. Compared to an older style fibre glass boat he had before that handled awesome, the trailcraft trailblazer has been real hard to get used to. One thing he is going to try is those stabilser things you put on the back to see if that helps any. After the adds with Malcolm Douglass there wasn't another boat that I wanted, but after taking my brother in-laws out quite a few times I'm not quite so sure anymore.
Danny
Brett Martin
Posts: 2
Date Joined: 05/05/10
Trailcraft
thanks for all your comments guys - take them all onboard
P-Jay - no plans for a twin hull
Dodgy - you are not backward in coming forward! - I have nothing to hide - no customers lost money or boats - inc dealers.
But i would really appreciate leaving all those questions behind me in the past.
hope that is OK - but i am sure you will tell me if its not - Ha Ha Ha!
cheers guys
Brett
in the tub
Posts: 2
Date Joined: 11/05/10
TELL THE TRUTH BRETT
HI BRETT
SORRY TO RAIN ON YOUR PARADE BUT I HAVE SOME HOME TRUTHS I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE. I WAS AN EMPLOYEE FOR MANY YEARS AT TRAILCRAFT BOATS AND HAD SEEN THE COMPANY GO FROM ZERO TO HERO AND BACK TO ZERO.
THIS IS SO TYPICAL OF YOU SAYING YES IM ALL GOOD I MADE IT THROUGH THE TUFF TIMES. HOW CAN YOU SAY THIS.
*WELL THE TRUTH IS YOU DIDNT.
*TRAILCRAFT DID GO BROKE IN MARCH
www.beevisandco.com/auctions/a897/a897.html
*ALL THE PLANT AND EQUIPMENT WAS AUCTIONED RIGHT UP TO THE THE PHOTO COPY PAPER IN THE OFFICE, I WAS THERE!!
*THE TRAILCRAFT NAME WAS SOLD
*SO IF YOU ARE STILL THE OWNER MAYBE YOU CAN NOW PAY BACK THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS YOU OWE TO ALL YOUR SUPPLIERS THAT SUPPORTED YOU OVER THE YEARS.
*REMEMBER THIS - OH PLEASE CAN YOU GIVE ME MORE SUPPLIES, YES I KNOW IM ON STOP CREDIT BUT WE HAVE JUST SOLD 10 BOATS THIS WEEK AND WE NEED THIS GEAR SO WE CAN FINISH THESE BOATS. ILL PAY YOU WHAT I OWE ON FRIDAY. THE GEAR COMES SO DOES FRIDAY BUT DID THEY GET PAID. NO!!!!!
*AS WELL AS THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS YOU OWE IN UNPAID SUPER TO ALL THE EMPLOYEES THAT YOU STOPPED PAYING 16 MONTHS BEFORE YOU WENT BROKE. MINE WAS ABOUT $15000 THANKS FOR THAT.
*THE GFC HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR DOWN FALL.
*BUILDING TOO MANY BOATS ON PREDICTED SALES WAS.
* NOT MAKING NEW MODELS HURT, YOU CANT CHANGE A STICKER AND SAY, LOOK AT OUR NEW MODEL DOESN'T IT LOOK GREAT THIS IS GOING TO BE A SELLER.
*GET BACK IN YOUR BOX BRETT AND STOP BLOWING SMOKE UP EVERYBODY'S ARSE IF YOU ARE GOING TO COME OUT AND MAKE STATEMENTS,TELL THE TRUTH BRETT
allrounder
Posts: 1853
Date Joined: 10/11/08
ouch
Sorry to hear about your super mate.
So tell me have you got your info from years on the water or hours on the internet?
markwell
Posts: 47
Date Joined: 03/04/10
Glad to hear a local company
Glad to hear a local company has survived the downturn and lets face it you only do that with a good product well done Brett luv your boats they always look stunning just cant afford one so will stick my Streaker
DeadmoneyBrett
Posts: 2
Date Joined: 11/05/10
Is the past the past
Brett got to hand it to you to just come out and make a statement like you have, where infact you do owe money to at least one marine in the sum of $65,000. should not be to hard to look at who that is, and the fact that you are rebadging your old 04,04,06,07 stock to 2010 stock. SHAME SHAME SHAME
so when you want to make a statement like we are powering ahead it should be renamed WE ARE REBADGING AHEAD.
would dealers in nsw, vic, old, retrace there steps in becoming dealers hell no
So when can I have my money, after all you made the statment past and present owner.
sleep well brett.
Happy Hooker
Posts: 305
Date Joined: 12/11/08
Whoa , gloves are off
Am in the market for a boat right now and a traily was an option so this is getting interesting ................
PJAY
Posts: 1005
Date Joined: 12/05/09
sounds like a civil matter
sounds like a civil matter that needs to be taken off this site?
The Kimberley....perfect one day and more perfect the next!!!
Billcollector
Posts: 2080
Date Joined: 16/05/09
Brett responded to a
Brett responded to a question from Dodgy and didn't really answer what was asked for obvious resons. Thats always going to get a reaction from someone who lost money due to trailcraft going to the wall.
Indiana
Posts: 307
Date Joined: 15/12/09
On the contrary Pjay
There's obviously more to this than meets the eye !
" IF YOUR NOT GOING TO EAT IT ......PUT IT BACK WHERE YOU CAUGHT IT"
PJAY
Posts: 1005
Date Joined: 12/05/09
mmmmmm........i'll watch
mmmmmm........i'll watch with interest....
The Kimberley....perfect one day and more perfect the next!!!
allrounder
Posts: 1853
Date Joined: 10/11/08
It will all go quiet now.
Dead money you are not the only one. At least the owners didnt lose too much so they can start up again. And as far as i know Trailcraft was around long before he bought it too. Who out there has an original trailcraft. If so how old is it a bit more than ten years i would say
So tell me have you got your info from years on the water or hours on the internet?
dodgy
Posts: 4577
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Mate of mine inherited one
Mate of mine inherited one that used to belong to Cockburn Powerboat Club. He has had it for 5 years and his old man 20 before him. Its a real plate boat.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
allrounder
Posts: 1853
Date Joined: 10/11/08
gee over 20 years old
and no boat builders only offer a 3 year warranty now days either.Had a commodore for nearly 3 years and have had all our little issues sorted straight away with no hassles.
So tell me have you got your info from years on the water or hours on the internet?
in the tub
Posts: 2
Date Joined: 11/05/10
TELL THE TRUTH BRETT MARTIN
HERE IS A LINK AT THE BOTTOM TO THE AUCTION COMPANY THAT SOLD ALL YOUR PLANT AND EQUIPMENT DONT YOU REMEMBER??????
.
I DO, SO DOES THE 80 ODD PEOPLE THAT WERE THERE BUYING IT ALL
ARE YOU IN FANTASY LAND???
MAYBE YOU SHOULD HAVE FACTORY TOURS SO EVERYBODY CAN SEE JUST HOW YOU BUILD THESE BOATS IT WOULD BE AMAZING TO SEE.
I THINK THIS STATEMENT ABOVE IS A DREAM YOU HAD AND IT WAS THE OUTCOME YOU HOPED FOR.
WHAT STORY ARE YOU GOING TO COME UP WITH NEXT???
www.beevisandco.com/auctions/a897/a897.html
wazzbat
Posts: 977
Date Joined: 19/01/10
Mmmmm??? Where has Brett
Mmmmm??? Where has Brett gone??? Looks like he doesn't like responding to criticism.
I fish for the future - Cause I can't bloody catch anything!
Rod P
Posts: 725
Date Joined: 20/05/08
I think the boats should be
I think the boats should be judged by there own standing. As for business's going under, well if your a builder or a supplier in our industry then i would suggest Brett is not the only one who owes you money.
For me i think the politics should be left offline..
As a long term industry stalwart (well at least i think i am) i would own a Trailcraft in a heart beat.
Indiana
Posts: 307
Date Joined: 15/12/09
Credibility Nil !
I agree the boats themselves have been first rate .
Unfortunately the owners got on this site as a bit of a sales pitch .........and has been shown up by an ex employee and a creditor both of who are owed a lot of money.
The guy lacks any credibility at all !
" IF YOUR NOT GOING TO EAT IT ......PUT IT BACK WHERE YOU CAUGHT IT"
seaman
Posts: 8
Date Joined: 03/11/09
I can't believe so many
I can't believe so many people 'love' Trailcraft's old fashioned mass produced crap. There are literally dozen's of small custom boat builders in WA with so much newer designs, same price, true quality, better service, craftsmanship and INTEGRITY. Brett Martin owes a lot of people a lot of money......and does anybody really believe he is personally doing it tough????????
Lastchance
Posts: 1273
Date Joined: 02/02/09
Ha!
Couldn't agree more!
DeadmoneyBrett
Posts: 2
Date Joined: 11/05/10
Trailcraft not meeting with AU plate
The funny thing is that all Trailcraft boat do not have full bulkheads, lets say if you were to drill a hole in the back of the boat and another one in the front you can see straight through.
AU specs, builders to have floation http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/imarine/19379.asp
none
After they are built very quick and with not much thought, I do know that the owner run for the hills with his pockets filled with cash and did not give a stuff about others.
But be warned if you buy a Trailcraft from a dealer I bet it is a rebadge, and if its from a dealer you are not going to get warranty.
Now Brett you are not building your boats right now you have contracted another builder to build you boats as you have no gear.
I will give you 12 months from this date to run off in the hills once again.
Also one steel have been faxed this page I did work for them and they are pissed lol brett you know that you can not get away from this now no matter what you do people can oreder a IP from this site and track it back through your isp incase you try to say IT WASNT ME.
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15644
Date Joined: 29/11/05
Thread closed
This thread has been closed incase it goes any further. If Brett wants the right of reply, then I will re-open it, but until then, I think this has gone far enough.
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