Cornish Shrimper problem areas

[raro3]

I'm considering buying a 1996 Cornish Shrimper and was wondering whether there are any particular potential problems that I should be aware of, such as the lifting keel. Someone also mentioned that the rudder fittings (presumably the pintals) were a potential weakness. i would appreciate hearing from anyone with first-hand experience with these boats, as to specifically what I should pay particular attention to. Thanks for any help.

 

[Lakesailor]

Start here

One owner suggest replacing the centre plate lifting wire every year!

 

[Victoria Sponge]

Expensive for what you get. Very niche market so they can be hard to sell. Not much head room. You need a cockpit tent. Bucket and chuck it which is not everyone's cup of tea. Trailer sailor so you need something large to tow it and a decent trailer. You need to make sure you keep the wheels of the trailer clean if you get anywhere near the sea.

You can get a lot more for your money as its just a large dinghy

I am sure others will be along shortly with different views

 

[RobF]

Nice boats, well built and a particular charm to them. They've also sold quite a lot which means they're pretty popular with over a thousand built - in fact I can't think of a trailer sailer that's sold in higher volumes (no doubt someone will correct me). You also have a reasonable choice of layouts and the inboard outboard engine option as well.

Yachting monthly did review the Shrimper in Feb 2007 and noted that her weak points were the accommodation (limited by size) and the heavy spars that increase tipping moment. On the positive side, there is a very active class association, they're still being made (so spares won't be a problem) and they're very well built.

 

[Peter Thomas]

Ask the builder.......

Hi

If you would like any advice on new or used Shrimpers please call our office on 01208 862666. We are always happy to help and don't 'expect' you to buy from us. We do however have a brokerage department if required.

Regards

Peter Thomas
Cornish Crabbers.

 

[Impaler]

Lovely little boats, I really regret selling mine never had any problems over 5 years or so. Anyone want to swap one for a Hunter 245??

 

[prv]

I helped my uncle put his in the water for the first time in his ownership. The centreboard wouldn't drop under its own weight, probably gummed up by over-enthusiastic antifouling (had also blocked the inboard engine intake, but I spotted and cleared that before it went it). I was able to take off a substantial piece of fibreglass over the top of the centreboard case (presumably removable for this purpose) and bash the board down with a steel bar and a hammer.

Pete

 

[Lifeboater]

Nice boats, well built and a particular charm to them. They've also sold quite a lot which means they're pretty popular with over a thousand built - in fact I can't think of a trailer sailer that's sold in higher volumes (no doubt someone will correct me). You also have a reasonable choice of layouts and the inboard outboard engine option as well.

Yachting monthly did review the Shrimper in Feb 2007 and noted that her weak points were the accommodation (limited by size) and the heavy spars that increase tipping moment. On the positive side, there is a very active class association, they're still being made (so spares won't be a problem) and they're very well built.

Thanks for the reply and what I find confusing is that every Crabber is different in terms of all the options and different versions. This makes them difficult to survey, for example some Shrimpers have foam blocks under the sort of V berth, (More of a storage area in practical terms), and 2 more foam sections on either side of the inboard engine. I wasted some time trying to find those compartments before realising that option was not fitted. It's also difficult to check the lifting keel when the yacht concerned is on a trailer. I'm going to look at one more Shrimper this week that I hope will be in better condition before giving up on the Shrimper and looking at a Crabber 24.

 

[Lifeboater]

Ask the builder.......

Hi

If you would like any advice on new or used Shrimpers please call our office on 01208 862666. We are always happy to help and don't 'expect' you to buy from us. We do however have a brokerage department if required.

Regards

Peter Thomas
Cornish Crabbers.

Thanks for the reply and I will call you tomorrow, for some reason I did not notice you were selling pre loved Cornish crabbers.

 

[Lifeboater]

Expensive for what you get. Very niche market so they can be hard to sell. Not much head room. You need a cockpit tent. Bucket and chuck it which is not everyone's cup of tea. Trailer sailor so you need something large to tow it and a decent trailer. You need to make sure you keep the wheels of the trailer clean if you get anywhere near the sea.

You can get a lot more for your money as its just a large dinghy

I am sure others will be along shortly with different views

You obviously don't like classic yachts. The Shrimper 19 I looked at yesterday has a Jabsco marine head under the V berth/storage area and a few even have the real thing, a Lavac fitted. The one bad point was that nearly all of the Shrimpers only have one battery fitted, You might be able to hand start some diesels, but I'm not a fan of flat batteries.

 

[wonkywinch]

Thanks for the reply and I will call you tomorrow, for some reason I did not notice you were selling pre loved Cornish crabbers.

His post was 13 years ago. There has been a recent winding up and takeover since then.

 

[Tranona]

You obviously don't like classic yachts. The Shrimper 19 I looked at yesterday has a Jabsco marine head under the V berth/storage area and a few even have the real thing, a Lavac fitted. The one bad point was that nearly all of the Shrimpers only have one battery fitted, You might be able to hand start some diesels, but I'm not a fan of flat batteries.

Crabbers have been in production for decades under several different owners so not surprising there are lots of different variations. no point in trying to contact Peter Thgomas as he was the last owner before the latest failure earlier this year and as in the previous post tthere are new owners still building in Cornwall but based in Poole.

You should have no difficulty finding a good one, particularly shrimpers at all ages and price points. over 1000 have been built and they are simple boats that are usually well looked after by enthusiastic owners. Larger sizes (22 and 24) are more variable and built in lower numbers therefore more limited choice and variations in price depending on age and condition.

 

[wonkywinch]

Zno point in trying to contact Peter Thgomas as he was the last owner before the latest failure earlier this year and as in the previous post tthere are new owners still building in Cornwall but based in Poole.

Although a quick search of the phone number shows it now belongs to the owners club so there may be some benefit in contacting him.

Cornish Crabbers Club - Home

 

[winch2]

We have the Crabber 17 and its a lovely looking traditional day sailer, but I've never really understood the Shrimper 19. As already mentioned....not much of a cabin and the cockpit is huge...All seems a bit unbalanced to me. Think when we go up it'll be to a Crabber 22... much more 'boaty' if you like, still they are very popular so there must be something good about them that people like.

 

[Tranona]

We have the Crabber 17 and its a lovely looking traditional day sailer, but I've never really understood the Shrimper 19. As already mentioned....not much of a cabin and the cockpit is huge...All seems a bit unbalanced to me. Think when we go up it'll be to a Crabber 22... much more 'boaty' if you like, still they are very popular so there must be something good about them that people like.

Interesting observation, given that the Shrimper has outsold the 17 by probably 10 to 1. It really does hit a sweet spot , not least because of the large cockpit which is great for families as well as a bunch of old folks having fun racing them in places like Poole Harbour. A very versatile boat that appeals to a wide market.

 

[coveman]

I think there can be problems with the iron encapsulated ballast on older boats. If it corrodes, it expands and can damage the hull. I haven't got one but have heard this can be problematic.

 

[Dee Bee]

Yes that is a known problem and difficult to rectify. When I owned one, the main thing was changing the centreboard wire every year as recommended. Not much else to go wrong.