G'day maverick 

I test drove a second hand 28 ft trade wind boat about 10 years ago and apart from it being old and in need of repair  (in my price range ) it was a good ride and I would expect it would perform really well in our local conditions .it was an ex sea rescue vessel in Queensland . I didn't purchase it due to the amount of repair / repower needed immediately on the vessel but I do think they would be a very capable vessel .

Hope this helps

There is an 8 metre Hydrofelt for sale here in Carnarvon, will try to find out more details if you are interested

No experience with the tradewinds but tri hull's can be quite good boats.  Hydrofield Jaguar are somewhat regarded as one of the best, great in the rough stuff and great on fuel to boot (get lift out of water when travelling so less drag).  Other end of the scale the models that were not done well can be a bit of a pig (as with any type of hull).

Test drive any boat before buying once your getting close to making a decision :-) that should give you a fair idea.

Edit - Just had a bit of a look at the boat your looking at - hull looks very similar to the Hydrofield Jag (apart from the cutout on the rear of the outer sponsons), looks like a good boat

can slap quite hard bow on to sea. they are very stable though and are hard to fault performance wise in any other sea. I dont know about the tradewind but I think they started as tradewind and changed name to southwind later on. But don,t quote me on that

different hull, but what I notice is that three or four heavy guys can all fish over the edge on the same side and the boat is still steady . It makes the boat feel like a bigger boat.

The ride is very comfortable too.

not a tradewind though.

 I have looked at the same boat and was interested until i found out the trailer is not legal as no electric brakes. It would be a good buy for under $50k but think he is asking a bit much for a boat built in the 90's.

Pm sent