Cornish Crabbers 26 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

David Thomas drew the 26 with a fine entry forward and a relatively straight run aft, set over a shallow long keel with bilge runners and an enlarged propeller aperture that effectively shortens the keel a little anchor. That cut-out around the prop is what makes the boat quicker and more responsive than one expects of a long-keel design, and it also leaves very little prop walk compared to traditional long-keelers. The only stated compromise in the structure is the use of lead ballast rather than iron; the builder chose lead to permit a lower saloon floor, trading a higher build cost for better headroom and a steadier posture ashore — even dried out on a hard sandy bottom she heels no more than eight degrees anchor. Two bilge-keel forms ease drying out, and the lifting keel itself allows both creek crawling and good to-wind performance when wanted.

Rig and Handling

The standard rig is a gaff cutter with traditional styling that belies the boat’s ease of handling, speed, and pointing ability anchor. A deep and efficient centreboard keeps leeway to a minimum, and the gaff mainsail runs on two halyards led to the cockpit on the starboard side of the coachroof, so one person can hoist in under 30 seconds; a combined boom topping lift and lazyjack lets the gaff lie atop the boom and the sail virtually self-flake. The bowsprit retracts for marina berthing or mooring, and the cutter configuration means that as wind builds you simply furl the staysail and drive on the jib, which also improves visibility and keeps sheet loads small enough that the rig is well suited to sailing with children aboard. Test sailors found her nicely balanced and responsive in super-light airs, with good directional stability retained from traditional types, and in very light winds she tacked consistently around 100 degrees. With the board down she pivots around it for crisper handling and quicker tacks; with it raised she will still sail close-hauled. An optional bermudan cutter rig trades the gaff for 5–10 degrees closer windward pointing and eliminates running backstays via aft-mounted spreaders.

Accommodations

Below, the 26 offers full standing headroom — about 1.9 meters — in a clever four-berth layout that the builder rates as accommodation challenging many larger boats, and which boats.com found significantly larger than similar designs from a couple of decades earlier. Tongue-and-groove effect bulkheads and good ventilation through overhead hatches and proper portholes give the interior a bright, finished feel. The saloon seats six at a large folding table atop the centreboard casing, the forepeak holds a large double v-berth, and the aft galley by the companionway carries a twin-burner gas cooker, single sink, icebox or optional fridge, and lockers. A generous cockpit and ample storage round out the family-cruising brief.

Equipment and Engineering

A Yanmar 3YM20 three-cylinder diesel of about 20 horsepower with a three-bladed propeller provides the power, and closer inspection reveals well-planned engine access panels that come out for almost all-round service. The standard 16-gallon fuel capacity and 66-gallon water capacity suit coastal cruising, and the 473-square-foot sail area on a 17.75 sail-area-to-displacement ratio gives the lively performance the testers noted without overwhelming a short-handed crew.

The Verdict

The Cornish Crabber 26 is a great all-round sailing cruiser that marries classic Cornish looks with a thoroughly modern, easy-to-handle package. She is roomy for her length, steady ashore and afloat, and quick to rig and tack. The lead-ballast premium and the gaff rig’s period charm will not suit everyone, but as a family coast-hopper she is hard to fault.

Pros