Cornish Crabber

[Ubergeekian]

An experienced chap - in my opinion - might remark that centuries of sailing evolution and lost lives have found guardrails are a good idea, and should not be dispensed with for cosmetic purposes.

Hmm. I've never seen a Wayfarer or a Squib with guardrails ... and as a 6'4" chap all guardrails are more like triprails to me anyway.

I've sailed my pal's CC17 a couple of times and the lack of guardrails wasn't at all worrying.

 

[prv]

And you'd literally have a go-anywhere boat.

What if you (or Seajet's retired admiral) don't want to go "anywhere"? I believe there are big fleets of Shrimpers, for example, in Chichester and Poole harbours - a 40' steel world-girdler would be a bit of an inconvenience there, don't you think? Horses for courses.

The OP's friend's boat has guardrails, not sure what the fuss is about there.

Can't really explain the prices, except to say that people are paying them (eg my uncle a few months ago, and the boat under offer mentioned above) so a seller would be silly to price his like a generic aluminium-sparred bermudan pocket cruiser of equivalent size.

Pete

 

[Seajet]

Since when have Squibs, Wayfarers or indeed, this is my point, CC17's been offshore cruisers though ?!

I know a Wayfarer went around Iceland - having seen a TV film of the Dyes on the Norfolk Broads I have to wonder how, but then again after knowing an Icelandic ship-builder and finding him a practised thief, if he's anything to go by I'd sail around without stopping too !

I know it's only a matter of time before some ex- SBS bod goes around the world on a plank, but I'm thinking of normal cruising, ie for a southern git like me, along the coast from the Solent to Cornwall and across the Channel.

 

[prv]

Since when have Squibs, Wayfarers or indeed, this is my point, CC17's been offshore cruisers though ?!

Um, they haven't. None of them. What's your point?

Pete

 

[cutofherjib]

Thank you for the feedback, it is really enlightening.

 

[Seajet]

PRV,

I understand what you say re. people apparently willing to pay silly prices, but even before the current recession I'm not so sure.

In about 2006-7, I and the ex-M.D. of the firm which used to build my boat type ( 22' GRP lift keeler, I can't say more as deals are ongoing for re-establishing production ) I went on a 'recce sortie' to the boat show; the Cornish Crabber 24 was on proud display, then priced at £55,000, guardrails and most other things 'optional extras'; the salesman didn't seem to understand why I burst out laughing.

They went bust a little while later.

Here on the South Coast one tends to see most new, expensive boats of all sizes; I can't remember ever seeing a Crabber 24 or a Norfolk Gypsy !

Our club has a Norfolk Oyster for ( along with other boats ) taking disabled people out, I've skippered her and she's lovely to sail in a breeze, but if I'd paid that much I'd be having a sense of humour failure over the way she and her fittings have not stood up, and her use has not been hard.

Edited to add;

PRV,

my point is that like others here I can't see any justification for silly prices...

 

[prv]

They went bust a little while later.

Well, they're back up and running now: http://www.cio.co.uk/article/3261801/master-and-commander/

my point is that like others here I can't see any justification for silly prices...

I thought it was something to do with whether a 17' keelboat should have guardrails?

Pete

 

[whipper_snapper]

It is just different people want different things from boating. We all know that.

I think there is a lot of truth in SJ's description of a CC owner. It is even more true of a Norfolk Gypsy owner (I met quite a few and felt VERY much an outsider). But that's OK, isn't it ? If the retired admiral wants to pay a lot for a pretty boat, I would not criticise him.


I took a 19' half decked Norfolk Gypsy across the Irish Sea and up and down between Cornwall and NW England several times. They are very capable boats, not quite in the same league as a twister, but we took some pretty wild conditions without real concern. But after one tough 48 hour passage I remember coming into Port Dinorwick and finding I was so exhausted I could not throw a rope ashore.

 

[prv]

It is just different people want different things from boating. We all know that.
[...]
If the retired admiral wants to pay a lot for a pretty boat, I would not criticise him.

I think this is a very good assessment.

Pete

 

[Seajet]

I did say the world would be a poorer place without such boats; WHEN I win the lottery, I will have a fleet of mainly pretty and / or historical boats, though I might only succumb to a CC or Norfolk Whatsit if Elle says she wants one...

 

[Lakesailor]

deals are ongoing for re-establishing production ) I went on a 'recce sortie' to the boat show; the Cornish Crabber 24 was on proud display, then priced at £55,000, guardrails and most other things 'optional extras'; the salesman didn't seem to understand why I burst out laughing.

They went bust a little while later.

We've been here before. People buy boats for many different reasons.
Anderson 22s are not the pinnacle of everyone's dreams.

Businesses can fail for many reasons, and not usually to do with the product. Usually to do with over-enthusiastic financing and projections or unforeseen expenses.

Keep that thought.

 

[Cinnamon]

So, with a CC, do we think you are paying just for the looks?

I'm considering an older pilot cutter 30 as a possible next boat. But it made it onto my shortlist on what I thought were its merits: Strong, seaworthy, shallow draft, cutter rig.

There are not too many cruisers out there which fit these criteria, although that's not true of the 19 footers, I guess.

I don't think there is any shame in allowing looks to sway your decision as long as you are not blinded to all the other aspects of the boat/sportscar/woman. And in extreme cases, if you have to have it you have to have it, even if you know you're gonna regret it

I would like to know though: Does build quality play a part in accounting for the high price?

 

[Tranona]

Thank you for the feedback, it is really enlightening.

To go back to your original question as to why it is not selling. The asking price maybe on the high side, but it is a very niche boat where it is difficult to find comparisons. You need to discuss with the broker WHY it has not had any offers, or if it has why a sale has not come about. Suspect that having a broker (the builder) in Cornwall and a boat located in Suffolk does not help. Have there been lots of enquiries? If not then it is not being presented to enough potential buyers. Have there been any viewings? What is the feedback from potential buyers who have seen the boat? Have there been any offers at any price?

You really need to try and understand what the barriers are before deciding how to remove them. As already noted, new boats of that type are much more expensive and whatever some may think about the merits of the boat, there is a demand and at the right price it could be exactly what somebody wants.

 

[BobPrell]

I see it has an anchoring ball. presumably in unused condition.

 

[prv]

Suspect that having a broker (the builder) in Cornwall and a boat located in Suffolk does not help.

Also that Crabbers (if that is who the "broker" is) are boatbuilders, not brokers. They might maintain a list of second-hand boats available, but I doubt they really expend that much effort in trying to sell them. You might be better off with someone like Boatshed, who we found our own Crabber through.

Every now and then (boring grey days at work) I google for pictures of Crabbers (sad, I know ). In the nature of things, most of the pictures that come up are boats for sale. I don't remember ever seeing your friend's boat. Did you use any specific terms to find her yesterday, things that a general buyer wouldn't? I'm just wondering how visible the advert you have really is.

Pete

 

[dancrane]

Cornish Crabbers for tall types

Out of curiosity, is headroom an issue on the CC30?

It always looked to be limited in photos, and the boat's modest draught and flattish decks didn't seem to suggest height within.

I've never worked out why Cornish Crabbers don't build bigger. Most manufacturers seem to find more remuneration per foot, the bigger they can offer.

Imagine what CC could make of a 38' or 42' hull. I always felt that Southerly's smaller boats were just projects, albeit cherished, and that the bigger boats showed what they could do.

Bigger hulls mayn't be so close to the Cornish Crabbers design origins, but the market, if it's offered two ensuite staterooms and all-wood interior with so much style, and able to float in 24 inches, will overlook that. I will, anyway.

Or, is their shed only 30ft long?

 

[Cinnamon]

Standing headroom aft of the mast (under the raised cabin top).

Southerlys are also nice boats and are also on my shortlist. Funny how they are also expensive. Somehow my tastes don't match my wallet!

 

[whipper_snapper]

Out of curiosity, is headroom an issue on the CC30?

It always looked to be limited in photos, and the boat's modest draught and flattish decks didn't seem to suggest height within.

I've never worked out why Cornish Crabbers don't build bigger. Most manufacturers seem to find more remuneration per foot, the bigger they can offer.

I really hate to say this, but there is a Norfolk Smuggler.....another simply gorgeous boat that I would never dream of buying in my craziest fantasies....but it is lovely....

Imagine what CC could make of a 38' or 42' hull. I always felt that Southerly's smaller boats were just projects, albeit cherished, and that the bigger boats showed what they could do.

Bigger hulls mayn't be so close to the Cornish Crabbers design origins, but the market, if it's offered two ensuite staterooms and all-wood interior with so much style, and able to float in 24 inches, will overlook that. I will, anyway.

And then there is the Norfolk Trader which gets really silly.......

 

[dancrane]

Yup. Very pretty boats. Thur's gold in them thar old-fashions.

 

[cutofherjib]

We've been here before.

Seeing the number of posts you have, I bet you have 37,538

It is all new stuff to me on here, and a lot of other people I would say.