Classic Dragon?

Nope, just something that will sail like a witch, for fun and the odd social regatta. No serious racing. I don't need another project. I have just taken on number two, which will take me 10 years. I read "Once is Enough" but failed to fully take it in. :)
 
A Dragon will certainly sail like a witch, they go to windward like nothing else. When we were looking for a wooden Dragon, many years ago, we were advised to look carefully in the forefoot area of some Borresen boats because the seams here can become worked and tend to open up if the boat has been sailed much at sea in heavy weather. Sorry, can't now remember which date boats these were.
The one which we shared with my dad during the late '80s early '90s was GB686 Cluaran, built 1950 in Norway, pitch pine on oak. The hull was varnished, close seamed, never leaked a drop and looked a treat. She was a joy to sail and we occasionally raced her in the Roach SA handicap races at Paglesham. After my dad died she was sold to Holland where they have a number of old Classic Dragons which are beautifully maintained.
The British Dragon Association website is worth a look, they have boats for sale and a Classics section.
 
DK10

We had DK10 'Tipsy' in the mid seventies. Great boat until you tried going to windward. I was young and foolish and my elder brother who bought the thing said that if I wanted to learn to sail I had to learn to pump. Boy am I good.... at the pumping at any rate!

Honestly though if you solve the planking movement at the base of the mast forward - you'll have great fun.

Regards
Donald
 
Clyde dragons

Most Dragons were built by McGruers on the Gare Loch.

Regards
Donald
 
classic dragon

Hi all just to say that McGruers did build a lot of dragons but they also built garelochs too if you look for the Rhu sailling club website you might find someone that can help. There are a lot of them that race from that club and also from Kilcreggan sailing club hope it helps. Just so you know I worked at McGruers and did my apprenticeship there 12 years of fun:):)
 
You'll find the old glue, particularly on the Borresen dragons is in the process of dying. If you want the topsides to look anything, you'll get used to splining and mix up some mahogany stain that is similar to original. The Pedersen boats were better built but more scarce. Teak laid ontop of ply decks has approximately 15 years life from new.

Probably the best guy in the UK to talk to about wooden Dragons is Nick Truman at Oulton Broad. Gold Cup winner in 1972 and Edinburgh Cup in 1981 (ish) - in fact I think he remains the only Englishman to have won both the Edinburgh and the Gold Cup. I think he's still got an early grp Boresen to sell. K508, impeccably maintained and comes complete with trailer & all the kit - last time I asked it was surprisingly cheap.
 
Aja said:
We had DK10 'Tipsy' in the mid seventies. Great boat until you tried going to windward. I was young and foolish and my elder brother who bought the thing said that if I wanted to learn to sail I had to learn to pump. Boy am I good.... at the pumping at any rate!

Honestly though if you solve the planking movement at the base of the mast forward - you'll have great fun.

Regards
Donald
Click to expand...

I had K6 "Arabis" from 1972 to 1974. I agree with you.

(K1 to K6 were built as a job lot by McGruers to get the class started, in 1936)
 
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