19' Cornish Shrimper (1985)

PETRA is a 19′ fiberglass gaff rigged sloop designed by Roger Dongray. It was built by Cornish Crabbers in Cornwall, England. Although the Shrimper numbers in the US are few, it’s quite prominent in the UK with over 1,100 manufactured since 1979. PETRA has been reviewed twice, most recently in Small Boats Monthly (Aug, 2022) and earlier in Small Craft Advisor (Jan/Feb, 2018).
The Shrimper is a very seaworthy and solidly built boat. Displacement – 2350 lb, LOA – 22’6″, Draft – 1’6″- 4′ (centerboard up or fully down), Sail area – 194 sq ft.

Features/Gear
A plow anchor with 8′ of chain and 180′ of nylon rode is secured in the anchor well. The cabin includes 4 ports (2 opening and 2 fixed) and a solar vent. The cabin has sitting headroom and 6’7″ berths. There is a gimbaled single burner stove. The electrical panel is mounted on the forward bulkhead. Storage is provided under each berth. There is also a cubby accessed through louvered doors in the bulkhead. The cockpit is fairly large with a depth sounder/knotmeter, compass, and bilge pump mounted forward and a lazarette and motor well aft.

Sailing
Peak, throat, and jib halyards all lead to starboard through a deck organizer and rope clutch. Jib sheets pass through adjustable fairleads on either rail. The mainsheet attaches to a transom mounted traveller with a moveable car. PETRA trims nicely across a wide range of wind and has been very forgiving to this novice sailor. Sail handling can be accomplished without leaving the cockpit. Readying the boat for launch or trailering, my wife and I can easily raise or lower the mast. EZ Loader trailer included.

Since purchasing the boat in 2016, the following are new: 1) Standing rigging, 2) Electrical system, 3) Tohatsu 6hp motor, 4) Sunbrella full boat cover, 5) Nonskid, 6) Teak cockpit grate, 7) Depth sounder/knotmeter, 8) Cabin reading lights, clock, barometer, and brass oil lamp, 9) Cabin cushions, 10) Winch, 11) Tiller, 12) Topsides painted.

“The Shrimper is built in fiberglass, but with its gaff rig, wooden spars, and wooden bowsprit, it has classic charm – it’s the type of boat that could sail into a wooden boat show without setting off any alarms.” – Small Craft Advisor
PETRA has been a well cared for sailboat.