Description

Built in 1995 at Rock, Cornwall to Roger Dongray’s iconic design, this Cornish Crabber 24 MkIII is a beautifully preserved example of a much-loved classic. With her gaff rig and traditional red sails, she offers all the charm and character expected of the Crabber marque, combined with the practical seaworthiness for which these boats are renowned.

Finished in a striking blue hull with an off-white coloured deck and teak fittings, she retains the unmistakable craftsmanship of the original builders. Most of her features remain entirely original and exceptionally well-maintained, reflecting careful ownership and sympathetic use throughout her life.

Mechanically, she is powered by a reliable Yanmar 2GM diesel engine with low engine hours. Engine serviced annually, with the boat stored ashore every winter—a key factor in her outstanding condition.

Her rigging, spars, and deck equipment present very well, consistent with her lightly used and well-cared-for history.

A fine example of the Cornish Crabber tradition, she is ready to provide many more seasons of relaxed coastal cruising, classic boat gatherings, or simply enjoying the pleasure of sailing a beautifully balanced gaff-rigged yacht.

Specifications

Accommodation

Blueprint offers a warm and inviting interior finished in rich mahogany joinery with burgundy upholstery in very good condition. The cabin has a traditional charm entirely in keeping with the boat’s classic lines, yet remains practical and comfortable for extended coastal cruising.

The saloon features port and starboard settee berths, providing relaxed seating and sleeping capacity for two. Both berths offer useful stowage beneath, with further lockers and shelves neatly integrated into the mahogany interior with additional storage solutions and natural light from the forehatch.

To port is the self-contained heads compartment, equipped with a manual marine toilet and storage for wash items. The galley is compact but well organised, fitted with the original Plastimo Neptune two-burner cooker with grill,

To Starboard, a stainless-steel sink and ample locker space for provisions and cookware. Both sides provide a cold locker for provisions. The sink area doubles a s chart table when not in use, with a comfortable seat for pilotage. Astern of the shart table is a comfortable, full-length third bunk extending beneath the cockpit.

Throughout, the craftsmanship typical of Cornish Crabbers is evident: warm timber-work, thoughtfully arranged fittings, and a bright yet cosy atmosphere. Despite her traditional character, Blueprint offers a surprisingly practical interior layout that maximises comfort and usability for a boat of her size.

Saloon looking forward

Starboard side of cabin

Port side of cabin

Aft view of cabin

Aft Bunk

Heads

Galley & Stove

Saloon table lowered

Saloon looking aft

Construction

The Cornish Crabber 24 MkIII of this era was built at Rock, Cornwall, using a combination of modern GRP methods and high-quality traditional joinery, giving the boat its distinctive blend of durability, character, and classic style.

Hull
* Hand-laid GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) hull for strength and longevity.
* Built with isophthalic gelcoat and resin in the outer layers to enhance osmosis resistance.
* Solid laminate construction — no core in the main hull, offering excellent impact resistance and ease of long-term maintenance.
* Finished in a deep blue topside gelcoat, factory-coloured rather than painted.

Deck & Superstructure
* GRP deck moulding with sandwich construction in selected areas for stiffness and reduced weight.
* Typically constructed with a balsa or foam core in flat deck sections, while high-stress areas (cleats, winches, mast tabernacle) are solidly reinforced.
* Deck finished in the characteristic “oyster” cream non-slip texture.
* Moulded cockpit with deep coamings, designed for security and comfort under sail.

Keel & Underwater Profile
* Long keel with encapsulated cast-iron ballast giving directional stability and a steady motion at sea.
* Ballast fully encapsulated in the GRP structure — no keel bolts to maintain or inspect.
* Traditional full-length skeg supporting the rudder for added protection.

Rudder
* Sturdy GRP rudder mounted on a full skeg.
* Stainless-steel fittings and tiller head, with traditional wooden tiller.

Rig & Spars
* Gaff-rigged cutter with a wooden bowsprit.
* Sitka spruce mast, gaff, and boom, varnished.
* Standing rigging stainless steel, with stainless steel fittings.
* Traditional red sails in terylene.

Interior Construction
* Structural bulkheads securely fibreglassed into the hull, providing stiffness and forming the cabin layout.
* High-quality teak joinery throughout, hand-finished by Crabbers’ craftsmen.
* Marine-grade plywood furniture bonded to the hull for structural integrity.
* Hull interior coated with gelcoat for easy cleaning and moisture protection.

Engine Installation
* Factory-fitted Yanmar 2GM diesel engine mounted amidships under the companionway.
* Flexible engine mounts and accessible layout for servicing.
* GRP engine tray with drainage and sound insulation.

Overall Build Philosophy
* The MkIII generation of the Crabber 24 was designed to combine:
* The aesthetic and seakeeping qualities of a traditional gaffer,

With the low-maintenance strength of modern GRP and the craftsmanship of Cornish boatbuilding traditions. As a result, well-kept examples (such as Blueprint) remain highly desirable, long-lived, and extremely robust.

Equipment

* Twin Batteries (1, 2 or both) - replaced 2025
* Hand and Electric auto bilge (replaced 2025)
* Hand-pumped drinking water system (40l flexi-tank)
* Sea toilet - Jabasco Manual
* Plastimo Neptune 2000 gas cooker - Twin burner & grill
* 2 x 7kg Calor butane cylinders with regulator
in aft locker.
* Full switched and fused 12v system - nav lights, auxiliary points, cabin lights, nav equipment, autopilot etc
* 6 x deck winches (4x sheets, 2 x mast
Lines)
* Iroko cockpit grid treated with Semco Teak Sealer.
* Lockable 2-part washboards
* 2 x OEM Sealegs
* Full set of fenders & socks (8x) plus spares.

Iroka deck grid

Cockpit

2-part lockable wash boards

Navigation Equipment

* Full set of nav lights - masthead, P&S combined
mast, anchor light, stern lights.
* VHF Radio - ICOM M506G with AIS Receiver (2023)
* Raymarine Wireless Wind Speed and Depth System with Triducer (2024)
* Raymarine ST2000+ Tiller Pilot 2022

Engine(s)

The Yanmar 2GM is a compact and highly reliable 2-cylinder, naturally aspirated marine diesel engine widely fitted to quality sailing yachts through the 1980s and 1990s. Renowned for its robustness, ease of maintenance, and long service life, it became a standard choice for builders such as Cornish Crabbers, Hallberg-Rassy, Westerly, and many others.

Key Characteristics
* Type: Marine diesel, 4-stroke, naturally aspirated
* Cylinders: 2 in-line
* Displacement: approx. 0.635 litres
* Cooling: Saltwater-cooled (raw-water) with heat-exchanger
* Power Output: approx. 13–16 HP at 3,400 rpm
* Fuel System: Mechanical injection pump
* Starting: Electric start
* 4 x Seacocks - heads, scuppers, sink, engine. Serviced 2024


The 2GM series is well regarded for:
* Extremely long engine life when serviced annually (oil, filters, impeller, belts, anodes)
* Low vibration and smooth running for a two-cylinder diesel
* Excellent parts availability thanks to the longevity of the Yanmar GM range
* Straightforward owner-level maintenance

The 2GM provides:
* Reliable cruising speeds of 5–6 knots
* Very modest fuel consumption (typically 1–1.5 litres/hour)
* Simple access for servicing through the companionway steps

Engine hours

Bronze propeller

Sails & Spars

* Gaff rigged Mainsail - sail number #9
Always covered, good condition. Refurbished 2023
* Furling foresail. Terylene with UV strip. New 2021 sound but fading colour.
* Furling Staysail. Terylene with UV strip. Age unknown, sound but fading colour.
* All ropes and controls from cockpit
* Spars are Sitka Spruce and in good order.
* New mast 2017. Good as new but varnish due some TLC
* Red waterproof sail cover. Good condition
* Red collapsible sprayhood. New windows 2022, serviced 2025

Meissner 8 winches

Meissner 8 winches

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