"Clam Crusher" Boat Term

[rebel heart]

Yesterday I told someone I had a Hans Christian and they said "Ah, a clam crusher!" I sort of nodded, but had no idea what he meant.
?

[Hud3]

My Island Packet had a "crab crusher" keel (not many clams in the Chesapeake). The bottom of the keel was long, flat and about six inches wide. Pretty deadly for unwary crabs when I would run aground (not that often, thankfully).

[David M]

Don't let the term bug you. You have a great design for what it is intended for. Different designs for different purposes.

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by Hud3

My Island Packet had a "crab crusher" keel (not many clams in the Chesapeake). The bottom of the keel was long, flat and about six inches wide. Pretty deadly for unwary crabs when I would run aground (not that often, thankfully).

Ah.... yeah, I have one of those. I think it's even more than 6" wide, but it's definitely built to crush I suppose. Trimmed right it would probably sit flat.

[Paul Elliott]

The crab-crusher (or clam-crusher) description is at least decades old, and is a term of endearment for a full-keel, heavy-displacement sailboat. As I understand it, the crab-crusher can be run aground with little damage to anything but the unlucky crabs that might get in the way.

These days the phrase can probably be used for any monohull that doesn't have a skinny fin keel, but I think it is more properly applied to full-keel designs. As I see it, not having your keel break off is a good thing.

[Dockhead]

If you're in tidal waters, you can also dry out against walls - very useful in some places

[atoll]

two of my boats are "mud hoppers!",twin bilge keelers,great for around here with 20 ft tides and lots of riverine esturies to explore,a short ladder and "wellies" are all you need to get ashore between tides!

[Cheechako]

Up Here in the PNW it would be a "Crab Crusher"! any heavy boat with a long deep keel. Yep, the HC would be welcome in the "Crab Crusher Society". :>)

[Hudson Force]

I hope to be thought of as among the clam/crab crushers....



I know I've kissed the bottom enough to threaten many a mollusk and a crushed-tacean or two!

[VirtualVagabond]

I think it's a great name.
Happy to put my hand up for membership too

Vic

[zeehag]

i have crab/clam crusher--she is 2 ft wide at base of keel, meant to sit up when beached--but still needs lines to hold her balance...

"If you're in tidal waters, you can also dry out against walls - very useful in some places "(dockhead)
locations of these places is welcome. should anyone fall into this tidbit of info, please post....

[Paul Elliott]

Originally Posted by CaptForce

crushed-tacean

Brilliant!

[bobconnie]

Zee, ya have to be where theres enough tide to dry ya out to find places to do this age old way of fixin things between tides ! There used to be a lot of them in PNW when I was a young man ! not as many now ! But there are still some around !! as I remember you have a pretty good draft, at least thats what my faulty memory tells me ?? But I don't think ya will find any till ya get up the east coast ! If thats where you are headed.

[zeehag]

is careening cove in st thomas still safe?? that wharf looked really old when i was last there, 2008, dec...

[Jim Cate]

IIRC, the term "Crab Crusher" was coined by the fictional character Lee Helm in the "Max Ebb" series of articles in Latitude 38. In her eyes it was not a complimentary name!

Cheers,

Jim