Cornish Shrimper 19 - Cape Cutter 19 | Hunter Liberty or Minstrel | Drascombe Coaster

Rupert Holmes looks into why this small, traditionally-styled cruiser remains so universally popular -and suggests some alternative boats that fulfill a similar brief

- Rupert Holmes

This perennially popular pocket cruiser has remained in more or less continuous production for more than 40 years, during which well over 1,000 examples have been built.

It's a dream scenario for many boatbuilders, yet no other boat in this sector has mirrored the Shrimper's success, despite many of the underlying reasons for its success being well known.

This model also spawned a number of others, most notably the Shrimper 17 dayboat in 2010 and the larger Shrimper 21 in 2016. With builders Cornish Crabbers now under new ownership, these boats are part of a six-boat range from 17-30ft.

All are traditionally styled, yet embody many benefits that result from advances in boat design and build materials.

Key attractions of the Shrimper 19 include the timeless style, a cockpit that's big enough for day sailing, with three or even four people on board, plus a cabin that provides shelter from inclement weather when sailing for the day, but also has enough space to sleep overnight or even for longer cruises.

Displacement of only 1,065kg means the total weight on a trailer is around 1,500kg, making it feasible to tow the boat when empty without needing a big four-wheel drive vehicle. This is a key part of the Shrimper's appeal, even for those who primarily keep their boats afloat. It means the boat can be taken home (or to a location nearby) over the winter for low-cost convenient storage and maintenance-an important factor for those who don't live near the sea.

Equally, easy towing allows for the prospect of occasional trips to different areas. These could be to one of the many rallies and racing events organised by the active owner's association, or for a longer summer break.

This opens up more extensive cruising grounds, both around the UK and in Europe and Scandinavia.