Design and Construction
The Mk I began life originally entirely in marine ply before the hull became GRP with ply cockpit and decks over the GRP hulls. The Mk I and Mk II share the same hull moulding, so the fundamental shape beneath the deck is common to both early generations. The deck is almost flush, which keeps the silhouette low and traditional but, as the accommodation makes clear, limits interior volume to sitting headroom only. The centreboard keel draws 2 feet 4 inches with the plate up and 4 feet 3 inches plate down, giving the shallow-water access and trailer-friendly profile that define the class.
Rig and Handling
The gaff cutter rig with jackyard topsail is the heart of the boat's character. The cutter configuration lets a small crew depower by dropping the topsail or jib, keeping the centre of effort manageable. The outboard rudder and centreboard make for nimble handling in tight marina spaces compared with full-keel contemporaries, and the stub keel with board suits drying moorings and shallow creeks. The boat's documented hull speed is 6.03 knots.
Accommodations
Below, the accommodation is simple, with a forepeak with two berths and a marine WC between the berths. In the saloon the table is fitted to the centreboard case, with a berth either side, giving the advertised 2/4 berths across the single cabin. A small galley to starboard serves the saloon. Headroom is sitting headroom only throughout, a direct consequence of the almost flush deck, so the boat favours camp-cruising and short stays over liveaboard use.
Power and Engine
The Mk I boats mostly had a Yanmar YSB8 diesel installed in a box in the forward part of the cockpit, though the type usually appears as Yanmar diesels with a BHP range of 8 to 18 across the model. The engine-in-a-box layout centralises weight and aids access but eats into cockpit space. The shaft drive and modest power suit the boat's displacement hull and short waterline.
Known Issues
Freshwater intrusion around deck fittings can saturate the plywood and rot it, producing soft spots that worsen if left. The metal centreboard and its pivot are vulnerable to corrosion and marine-growth jamming, so the board can seize if not hauled and serviced. The flush-deck profile means any failed sealant finds its way into the structure rather than shedding outward.
The Verdict
The Cornish Crabber 24 Mk I is a characterful, traditional-styled pocket cruiser that trades interior volume for shallow-water reach and a manageable gaff cutter rig. Its plywood decks demand disciplined maintenance, but the shared hull moulding with the Mk II and the continual production lineage give buyers a well-understood platform.
Pros
- Centreboard keel with 2'4"–4'3" draft for creeks and trailer use
- Gaff cutter with jackyard topsail depowers easily for short-handed sailing
- Simple, robust single-cabin layout with forepeak berths and saloon settees
Cons
- Sitting headroom only due to almost flush deck
- Ply decks and cockpit over GRP need vigilant sealing against rot
- Centreboard pivot prone to corrosion and jamming from growth
