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Cornish Yawl
Designer: Roger Dongray  ·  Builder: Cornish Crabbers Ltd. (Uk)  ·  First built: 1988
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About the Cornish Yawl

Built by the renowned Cornish Crabbers Ltd. since 1988, this traditional masthead yawl embodies the classic British approach to small-boat cruising. Roger Dongray's design strikes an appealing balance between seaworthiness and comfort, featuring a moderate displacement hull with both keel and centerboard configuration that provides excellent stability while allowing access to shallow waters. At just under 25 feet overall, the Cornish Yawl punches above its weight class in terms of cruising capability. The substantial 7,826-pound displacement and conservative sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 15.43 create a forgiving, steady sailing platform ideal for coastal cruising and short offshore passages. The low capsize screening formula of 1.72 reflects the boat's inherent stability, while the comfort ratio of 31.97 suggests reasonable motion characteristics for extended sailing. The fiberglass construction ensures durability with lower maintenance than traditional wooden builds, though Cornish Crabbers has maintained the aesthetic appeal of classic yacht design. With its efficient 12-horsepower auxiliary engine and hull speed of 6.1 knots, this yawl is particularly well-suited for leisurely coastal exploration, weekend cruising, and sailors who appreciate traditional seamanship over high performance. The yawl rig provides excellent balance and multiple sail-handling options for varied conditions.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 24.51 ft / 7.47 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.73 ft / 6.32 m
Beam 8.50 ft / 2.59 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Min Draft 3.00 ft / 0.91 m
Displacement 7,826.00 lb / 3,550 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 379.00 ft² / 35.21 m²
Headroom 6.25 ft / 1.91 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Masthead Yawl
Construction FG
Designer Roger Dongray
Builder Cornish Crabbers Ltd. (UK)
First Built 1988
Associations Cornish Crabber Owners
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 15.43
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 392.19
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 31.97
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.72
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.10 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 629.60 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Beta
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 12
Fuel Capacity 11 gals / 42 L
Water Capacity 22 gals / 83 L
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