Dear Mr Cornwell

I was interested to read you sail a Cornish Crabber Mark 2 with the wonderful name Royalist. My husband and I have a Mark 1 with the rather bizarre name Ruaile Buaile which is Irish for having a good time, but she does live up to her name as they are a wonderful little boat to sail. We sail the Carrickroads in Cornwall,  although our boat has weathered the Irish Sea for much of her 40 years. We bought her as a project and she is glowing again due to my very clever husband and my skill with a paintbrush. You of course have the luxury of fibreglass hull and deck whereas we have the original Roger Dongray design. Fibre glass hull with marine ply decks sheathed with fibreglass. Nevertheless the Marks 1 and 2 are still considered the prettiest of all the crabber designs. How fabulous they have reached the Americas and can draw admiring looks even when in the company of so many flashy neighbours.

Enjoy your sailing

Sue Haslam