The current owner's family originally bought and sailed their Cornish Crabber on the sea during their summer holidays in the early nineteen eighties. More recently it was decided to bring the boat back closer to home for summer use on the Thames. At this point the mast was removed and L'escargot noir became a landlocked weekender cruising up and down the Thames with the second and third generations on board. Cornish Crabbers are a really enduring brand and you can see why the designs, coupled with a quality build, have stood the test of time.

There is a charming air of 'Five go cruising' about the on board feeling and I can easily imagine hours of fun fishing, playing board games, going to the pub for lemonade while exploring the Thames or any other inland water course.

The sturdy hull is fibreglass as are the decks and there are touches of oiled teak around the cockpit and below decks to add some character. The owners have a trolley that they keep it on at home for maintenance and storage.

The engine is a single cylinder GM10 diesel engine driving a 3 bladed propellor. There are four good sized berths, two in the main saloon area and two in the cosy forward cabin where there is a concealed chemincal loo.

The main saloon houses the galley which is a simple two ring gas stove with space for a washing up bowl. Should you need a food prep area, or indeed a chart table, there is a removable panel which fits over the galley area. A central table sits above the original centre plate (from the boat's sailing days) and has useful folding sides.

The forward cabin is accessible from a forward hatch in the deck or directly from the saloon.

You can expect to find plentiful lockers and strage in both the main cabin below the berths and below the cockpit seating too. The boat comes with a set of fenders, ropes, mooring pins and two boat hooks.

BSS current. Viewing in Henley on Thames by arrangement.