Scarboroughsloop
Well-Known Member
Does anyone have any experience of sailing one of these? I'm looking at possibly buying one but I can't find much information in the way of sailing ability. Are they just coastal cruisers or a bit more capable?
Cornish Crabber 24 Mk1
- Thread starter Scarboroughsloop
- Start date
Seajet
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A pretty coastal cruiser and fun if you want to stay short range, but incredibly overpriced; for the money you could buy a proper offshore boat.
The Crabber 24 will go offshore, but isn't really designed or set up for it; things like guardrails being optional extras...
The Crabber 24 will go offshore, but isn't really designed or set up for it; things like guardrails being optional extras...
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Scarboroughsloop
Well-Known Member
Thanks Seajet. I agree that the later versions are way overpriced, but the Mk1's seem to be going for around 15K which is a tad more realistic (but till overpriced IMHO). They have the plywood decks which can be an issue but as my current boat is wooden that does not worry me. I'm ideally after a centreboarder capable of offshore work for sensible money.
Guardails are not an issue as I don't have any at the moment and am quite happy moving around on deck without them - helps conentrate the mind (and guardails do attract rot in the deck!)
Guardails are not an issue as I don't have any at the moment and am quite happy moving around on deck without them - helps conentrate the mind (and guardails do attract rot in the deck!)
StUrrock
Well-Known Member
Hi, have you considered as an alternative the Yarmouth 23, a cracking boat IMHO, a couple of secondhand ones around at the moment.
http://www.yarmouth23.co.uk/
I must admit to being biased as I sail one
http://www.yarmouth23.co.uk/
I must admit to being biased as I sail one
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Prices have held up well firstly because they are good boats for what they are designed for and secondly there is very little like them on the market. Most of their contemprorary imitators were not as good and built in penny numbers so they have the market almost covered (even if it is very limited in size).
If it meets your requirement, then it is a good buy and will hold its value for the very same reason that you are prepared to pay the money. You are right about the ply decks, although I think it was only on the first few.
Pretty sure there will be an active owners association - try a bit of Googling.
If it meets your requirement, then it is a good buy and will hold its value for the very same reason that you are prepared to pay the money. You are right about the ply decks, although I think it was only on the first few.
Pretty sure there will be an active owners association - try a bit of Googling.
Scarboroughsloop
Well-Known Member
I've found the owners association. One word I wouldn't use to describe it would be active!
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Oh well! It is a very laid back kind of boat.
Scarboroughsloop
Well-Known Member
Seajet
...
Must say I like the look of the cambered deck, small window Yarmouth 23 to the left on the home page link, though less so the others.
Like all Cornish Shrimpers, Crabbers, Lumpers, Draggers, Scrabblers, you are paying a huge amount for a less capable boat, but if that's what takes your fancy...Have a look at what your money would get in more 'mainstream' boats though, including performance designs with a bit of flair..
Carter Concubine advertised at £12,950 but may be an old ad', just an example...
Like all Cornish Shrimpers, Crabbers, Lumpers, Draggers, Scrabblers, you are paying a huge amount for a less capable boat, but if that's what takes your fancy...Have a look at what your money would get in more 'mainstream' boats though, including performance designs with a bit of flair..
Carter Concubine advertised at £12,950 but may be an old ad', just an example...
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prv
Well-Known Member
Have a look at what your money would get in more 'mainstream' boats though, including performance designs with a bit of flair..
Now without wanting to be rude about somebody's pride and joy, that just looks old, ugly, and grubby to me. Even if thoroughly cleaned, I'd still think "grubby" because boats of that kind so often are. With an objective eye I can see it has quite a "racing" deck layout and so presumably everything else is efficiently designed and will sail very well, but it just does nothing for me emotionally.
Good job we don't all like the same kind of boat, isn't it?
Pete
Romeo
Well-Known Member
I have not sailed on one, but I have sailed close to one! Those onboard were clearly enjoying the experience. For coastal cruising I personally like the big cockpit to accomodation ratio.... you tend to spend much more time outside than inside when you are coast hopping. I also like the shallow ish walk ashore draft, which again would suit my kind of sailing, which has never involved going to a marina.
If the shallow draft is not needed, and you fancy a bit more sail power retaining a traditional look and with more offshore capability, try the Oysterman 22 which is built like a battleship, holds her bigger sail area really well, and probably does not cost any more.
If the shallow draft is not needed, and you fancy a bit more sail power retaining a traditional look and with more offshore capability, try the Oysterman 22 which is built like a battleship, holds her bigger sail area really well, and probably does not cost any more.
Victoria Sponge
Well-Known Member
This is a really nice boat..................
prv
Well-Known Member
Looks like a Cornish Crabber hull, but I don't recognise the deck / cabin layout. Any idea what it is?
Pete
Victoria Sponge
Well-Known Member
Yes, it's a Cornish Crabber Pilot Cutter. It's called Green Witch and it's moored on the River Deben.
Scarboroughsloop
Well-Known Member
She does look very nice.
Nudge
Well-Known Member
Sailed a mk1. Personal preference is performance type boats but I spent a couple of very enjoyable weekends on one. The accomodation is definitely not stand up-able but it reaches right across the full width of the hull so despite the centrebaord box, the set up is quite relaxed, although you have to cook sitting down..
Sailing is interesting, performance is better than you would expect. Collateral benefits of the gaff rig is that there are no winches required for the low aspect ratio rig so tacking is easy and upwind is acceptable if you make sure you have decent sails.
Fun to be had if you use a tops'l and watersail. Lots of bits of laundry can be hung on them.
Add a wind up gramaphone and it's difficult to beat.
Offshore - well it will slam in big seas and the centre plate can bang around a bit...
Nudge
Sailing is interesting, performance is better than you would expect. Collateral benefits of the gaff rig is that there are no winches required for the low aspect ratio rig so tacking is easy and upwind is acceptable if you make sure you have decent sails.
Fun to be had if you use a tops'l and watersail. Lots of bits of laundry can be hung on them.
Add a wind up gramaphone and it's difficult to beat.
Offshore - well it will slam in big seas and the centre plate can bang around a bit...
Nudge
FWB
N/A
I had a Mk1 for many years.
A bit slow but lots of character. GRP hull the rest wood so it has the feel of a wooden boat but without a wooden hull. However the decks are prone to going soft due water ingress so that is the area of concern should you find one.
The mark 2 was all plastic but had a slightly more powerful rig.
I liked the mk1 so much I got Martin heard to build me one of his 28s in a similar style. So I sort of got the looks of the Crabber but with lots more accomodation and a real seaboat. Again a GRP hull with the rest wood, in my case all teak!
The Crabber Pilot Cutters are pretty but plastic and half the displacement of the Heards.
Here's my Heard 28, she was on the front cover of July 2004 Classic Boat.
A bit slow but lots of character. GRP hull the rest wood so it has the feel of a wooden boat but without a wooden hull. However the decks are prone to going soft due water ingress so that is the area of concern should you find one.
The mark 2 was all plastic but had a slightly more powerful rig.
I liked the mk1 so much I got Martin heard to build me one of his 28s in a similar style. So I sort of got the looks of the Crabber but with lots more accomodation and a real seaboat. Again a GRP hull with the rest wood, in my case all teak!
The Crabber Pilot Cutters are pretty but plastic and half the displacement of the Heards.
Here's my Heard 28, she was on the front cover of July 2004 Classic Boat.
prv
Well-Known Member
DownWest
Well-Known Member
Back then, when I first heard of the Crabber 24, I asked for plans for a ply build. Got the standard kit package about a grp hull and wood to finish. The first boat was ply, as were the first 11 Shrimpers.
A bit later I chatted to an owner who sailed his Mk 1 from UK to Vilamoura. He was ex Navy, so quite capable in the right hands. And it was factory built to a nice standard.
A
A bit later I chatted to an owner who sailed his Mk 1 from UK to Vilamoura. He was ex Navy, so quite capable in the right hands. And it was factory built to a nice standard.
A
Vern
Well-Known Member
I had a Mk1 for many years.
A bit slow but lots of character. GRP hull the rest wood so it has the feel of a wooden boat but without a wooden hull. However the decks are prone to going soft due water ingress so that is the area of concern should you find one.
The mark 2 was all plastic but had a slightly more powerful rig.
I liked the mk1 so much I got Martin heard to build me one of his 28s in a similar style. So I sort of got the looks of the Crabber but with lots more accomodation and a real seaboat. Again a GRP hull with the rest wood, in my case all teak!
The Crabber Pilot Cutters are pretty but plastic and half the displacement of the Heards.
Here's my Heard 28, she was on the front cover of July 2004 Classic Boat.
Wonderful pictures, especially the one of heeling.
