The following letter was received from Roger Dongray the designer, by Albert Hattersley when he enquired of Cornish Crabbers Ltd as to the possibility of fitting a steel centreplate to the Cormorant.

‘Further to your letter to Cornish Crabbers Ltd regarding the fitting of a steel centreplate to the Cormorant, I confirm that it probably would be possible to fit a galvanised steel centreplate but I do not personally feel that it is necessary as the stability of the Cormorant is due to the hull shape and the crew’s weight.

The disadvantage with the steel centreplate would be:

1. Weight requiring tackle or winch to hoist.

2. The width of the existing case would need spacers to prevent the plate from twisting and rattling.

3. The extra weight is forward and would not be beneficial to the handling of the boat.

I hope this information is useful to you.

Roger Dongray’

In view of the comment on the subject in this Bulletin I feel that this rounds out the subject to some extent. Not all craft are suitable for the addition. In the case of the Cormorant item number 3 is important. The single masted cat rig means that the mast and centreboard are both placed well forward. Therefore their weight is forward. The Cormorant has a fine bow and no sheer to speak of so extra weight in this part of the hull could be dangerous. Most Cormorant owners seem to feel that the hull is stable enough in any case.