Class Captain: Jonathan Davies (07801287502) jonddavies@gmail.com

The Cornish Shrimper 19, (and more recently its slightly larger equivalent the 21) is one of the most well-proven sailing cruisers with almost 1400 built since 1980 and production still continuing. Its success can be attributed to a very competent, yet reassuring sailing performance, good accommodation for its size, sturdy construction and over all, - versatility. With its lifting keel and purpose-built trailer, the ability to be towed behind a large estate car enables the exploration of far-flung cruising grounds. Its attractive lines have also played a part in its enduring popularity. This is a cruiser that has the added bonus that it can be taken home for storage and maintenance at the end of the season, and cheaply launched and recovered from a slipway. The boats are available with an outboard or powered by a 9hp Yanmar diesel inboard. Maintenance costs are relatively low. Prices start from about £7000 for an older outboard boat but they are always in demand and hold their value well.

Shrimper sailors are fortunate to have a very active and enthusiastic owners’ association which has a comprehensive website with advice and technical support about all aspects of Shrimper ownership. The SOA also organises an annual ‘International Shrimpers’ Week’. These well organised rallies give the opportunity to trail and cruise in company with dozens of other similar boats and enjoy relaxed sailing led by local experts. Recent destinations have included the Fal Estuary, The River Clyde and Rothesay, Milford Haven, St Malo, Plymouth, Northern Ireland, the Dutch Canals, the East Coast and in 2023 Mylor in Cornwall. The destination for 2024 is Amsterdam. Many Poole Yacht Club Shrimper owners are regulars at these events.

With its shallow draft and lifting keel the Shrimper is ideal for sailing in the shallow waters of Poole Harbour. They are very manoeuvrable in restricted channels, can happily sail in 3ft of water using the lifting keel as a mechanical depth sounder and can be run onto a beach for a picnic. It is no surprise therefore that locally the Shrimper is very popular with over 100 in this area. Poole also has an active branch of the Shrimper owners’ Association which organises a comprehensive sailing programme with an organised event most weeks. Typical sails are trips to Studland, Swanage and Wareham together with raft-ups for picnics in quiet bays and the very popular round the island pursuits when as many as 20 boats take part. See the attached 2024 programme.

At Poole Yacht Club we are a recent but growing class with 24 Shrimper 19s and 4 Shrimper 21s. For many owners the emphasis is on local cruising, and our members enjoy boating together as well as solo sailing. Those who enjoy racing now have their own Poole Yacht Club start (see under ‘racing’). Shrimpers also often appear in the Poole Yacht Club Wednesday cruises and many Poole Yacht Club boats regularly turn out to participate in the Local SOA sailing events (see the photos and list at the end). A feature of Shrimper ownership is the easy-going camaraderie of a less competitive sailing atmosphere, and here at Poole Yacht Club we share that. If two Shrimper owners meet in the bar a friendly discussion will surely follow! All Poole Yacht Club Shrimper owners are given a list of the contact details of other owners in the Club. We are fortunate that here we have some of the most experienced Shrimper sailors in the country, and we can always call upon a wealth of Shrimper knowledge. If you have any questions either technical, sailing or trailing you are certain to find someone at Poole Yacht Club who can supply the necessary information!

The Poole Yacht Club Shrimper group also prides itself on our willingness to help each other. Especially, if you are nervous about self-launching or recovery, (which can be done quite easily at the Poole Yacht Club slipway with a Shrimper), there is certain to be a fellow Shrimper owner willing to help. Help and advice with repairs and maintenance is also always at hand.

Thinking of getting a Shrimper? Want a sail in one? Someone here at Poole Yacht Club is sure to be able to help.

You are very welcome to give me a call. Jon Davies 07801287502 jonddavies@gmail.com

Follow this link to the Shrimper Owners’ Association with is wealth of information, advice and technical articles about all aspects of Shrimper sailing and trailing. Here you will find advice about the different types of Shrimper available and there is a section detailing second-hand boats for sale

Follow this link to the Cornish Crabbers’ website which gives full technical details of the various guises that Shrimpers come in.

The Poole section of the SOA, led by Poole Yacht Club member John Hicks, has prepared a very full programme of events for 2024. The calendar gives an indication of the breadth of local Shrimper sailing opportunities that are available. There is no entry fee or subscription, if you own a Shrimper you are very welcome!

The calendar gives an indication of the breadth of local Shrimper sailing opportunities that are available.
There is no entry fee or subscription, if you own a Shrimper you are very welcome

View Cornish Shrimpers Events Programme

In addition, at Poole Yacht Club, we shall have a Shrimper presence at the popular Friendly Fridays when, every Friday evening from May to September we meet at the club at around 6pm for a group sail around a fairly short prearranged course with other cruisers and dinghies. The emphasis is on relaxed sailing and the evenings have proved popular with families and newcomers to sailing. On return to the club there is normally a barbeque supper and an opportunity for a chat in the bar. You don’t need to book in advance, just come to the briefing on the slipway with everyone else.

Racing at Poole Yacht Club

Contact Colin Calver (revlac@yahoo.com) for more details

Tuesday Evening 3 Series (each with 8 races). The Shrimpers are Class 2. The warning signal is at 6.40pm and the start at 6.45pm