The company that became Cornish Crabbers was building dinghies in 1973 when Roger Dongray commissioned a one-off 24ft gaff cutter to his own design, with traditional West Country looks. She caught the eye of traditionalists and she was soon a best seller. The old-style Crabber is
rewarding to sail and more than 330 were built. The boats were originally constructed in marine ply, but the builder quickly changed to glassfi bre hulls with plywood decks, and later all-glass construction. The almost fl ush deck creates a low interior, with minimal sitting headroom, and the centreboard case restricts the accommodation further. But the layout includes a heads in
the forepeak and a small galley, so she can be cruised in reasonable comfort by a family with two small children. Adventurous owners have sailed their Crabbers far and wide. The MkII boat has a higher-peaked, more efficient gaff rig and improved interior. Early plywood hulls will need a good survey and the wooden decks can give trouble, but otherwise they are solidly built.

LOA 8.91m (29ft), LOD 7.31m (24ft), LWL 6.71m (20ft 3in), beam 2.44m (8ft), draught 0.71m to 1.29m (2ft 4in to 4ft 3in), displacement 1,995kg (4,400lb). Price guide: £5,000 to £15,000.