Design and Construction
Sources differ on the Crabber 17’s principal dimensions. The builder’s specifications give a length of 6.1 metres, a beam of 2.06 metres, and a weight of 657.7 kilograms. A separate review records a 20-foot overall length, 16-foot waterline, 6 foot 9 inch beam, and 1,450-pound displacement.
The boat carries 217 pounds of bilge ballast. With its flat plate centerboard raised, it draws just 1 foot 7 inches; lowering the board increases draft to 4 feet.
Buyers can choose from a wide selection of moulded hull colours. The boats leave the Cornwall factory as ready-to-sail units, complete with a bilge pump.
Rig and Handling
The Crabber 17 is a gaff-rigged sloop. The builder’s card lists 16.54 square metres of sail, while the review data gives 178 sq ft. Reviewers noted its surprising sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 22.2, an unexpectedly high figure for a boat of this size. Owners in the fleet tend to favour tanbark sails, and period reviews show a small spinnaker.
With the centreboard raised, the boat floats in barely 20 inches of water. Auxiliary power comes from an internally mounted 5HP outboard, or a 2.5HP unit in the hidden aft well, and provides quiet propulsion. The hidden aft well accepts a 2.5- or 5-horsepower outboard.
The custom road trailer allows the boat to be launched and retrieved single-handed. Sailingmagazine.net found it an ideal trailerable boat that turns heads.
Cockpit and Accommodation
This is a true camping-style cruiser rather than a boat with a fully enclosed cabin. The open cockpit is long and spacious, with enough room for up to five people when day sailing.
Raising the fold-down canvas sprayhood on its stainless-steel frame turns the cockpit into a light cabin. Two berths extend beneath the foredeck, and there’s abundant stowage. The dodger provides only partial shelter, however, and overnight use requires a Porta Potti.
Equipment and Options
The standard Crabber 17 comes ready to sail with:
- Bilge pump
- Canvas sprayhood on a stainless-steel frame
- Forward cockpit cover
- Hinged teak cockpit seats
- Mainsail cover
- Sails and all attendant rigging
Buyers can also specify a choice of extras. Together, the gaff rig and owners’ preference for tanbark sails give the boat its classic Crabber silhouette.
Verdict
The Cornish Crabber 17 is a strong, pretty weekender built around simplicity and charm. It suits sailors who want a light, head-turning trailer sailer for estuary camping and day sailing, rather than a fully enclosed coastal cruiser.
Pros
- Can be launched and retrieved single-handed from its dedicated trailer
- Gaff sloop rig with a 22.2 SA/D ratio
- Centreboard provides draft ranging from 1 foot 7 inches to 4 feet
- Fold-down hood creates a two-berth cabin with abundant stowage
- Choice of hull colour and optional extras when ordered new
Cons
- Dodger provides only partial shelter, and a Porta Potti is required
- Camping-style cruiser rather than a fully enclosed cabin boat
- Auxiliary power is limited to a 2.5–5HP outboard
