Any Drascombe owners here?

[snowleopard]

How do you rig your mainsheet?

As supplied our Longboat came with a single block and jammer on each quarter, a double on the traveller and a triple attached to the clew with a snap shackle. (it's double-ended). The problem is that we carry up to 8 people including some with little mobility and a whacking great triple block whipping through the air on the end of a flapping main is a serious health hazard. (For the uninitiated, Drascombes have boomless mainsails.

Currently we have jury-rigged it so the much lighter double block is on the clew but it's still not a nice thing to have whistling about your ears.

Any suggestions?

 

[Zagato]

Many have changed this arrangement!! But the above pic shows the 'historical' set up for want of a better word.

Full details/download of how to rig can be got from Churchouse Boats 01256 896292 or on the Drascombe Association forum site which will show improved set ups. You will have to dig around for the topic but there is also a link to the Facebook Drascombe site which is very good. There is a BIG international following of this marque so plenty of advice available, it,s all been done before.

Other good sites for modifications, maintenance and useful additions to your Drascombe are...

Pettigrews.org.uk
hopwood.uk.net

 

[Zagato]

Pics of the standard set up on my boat. I use a snap shackle at present on the clew so that I can simply roll up the sail onto the mast when it,s not needed. I will eventually change the set up for a more normal system as used by many others maybe! you can adapt this very simply for self steering also!

Previous owner exploring!

More pics, sorry, humour me whilst I have a beer and a curry and reminisce as I have not sailed her for a year. She is going in the water at the end of the month Yahoo!!

 

[dunedin]

i would recommend that you seek to reduce the weight in the system to make it safer - and easier to use.

Technology has moved on a lot since Drascombe's were first built. How about
- a Harken Carbo block for the sail clew
- attached by a rope "soft shackle"
http://www.harken.co.uk/productdetail.aspx?id=4661&taxid=415
This will probably be a third or less of the weight (and hence impact damage) of the original. And these Carbo blocks are a joy as a really quality piece of kit

Moving to roller bearing blocks should need less purchase than the original. And if add a non water absorbing rope for the main sheet (like used by Lasers and other dinghies) this reduces weight in the ropes also.

Or could find an old self tailing winch and convert to a single part main sheet controlled by the winch, if crew safety is the priority

 

[ianfliesrussian]

We have Drascombes. I think they are Longboats and without the necklaces round the mast, the forward end of the gaff catches the jib. However, the necklaces put a big crease in the sail. Could it be that the halyard is attached too far back on the gaff, so the main sail is too far forward? Any help would be great fully received. Ian