richardabeattie
Well-Known Member
About to buy a used Drascombe Dabber - age unknown but the photos look good. Any weak points to look out for? Has the design evolved much over the years?
Dabber
- Thread starter richardabeattie
- Start date
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
I've recently bought a Longboat. As far as I can see, Drascombes (whether Honnor Marine or Churchouse Boats) are pretty bombproof and everything you might want to see is easily visible. With the exception of the centreboard, that is, and listings for older ones often mention replacement date for that. On the other hand, a Dabber is more likely to live on a trailer in which case there is probably no need to worry.
Manufacturer support is excellent and you can easily get anything which needs replaced.
richardabeattie
Well-Known Member
Now bought it. But how to date it? No paperwork or sail number. I assume the design evolved over the years so what should I be looking for to identify it?
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
Hull number, starboard side of the transom, near the top. If none, it's ancient.
alant
Well-Known Member
I used to have one & sailed the Solent/Chrischurch Bay/Poole Harbour.
Easy to row, when wind & fuel runs out.
Sandro
Well-Known Member
On my 1978 Dabber the hull number is punched (is this the right english word?) on the bronze fitting at the stem-head.
You could contact the Drascombe Owner Association and/or search the attached forum. A member made a list of Dabber numbers and building years but presently I can't tell how to find it.
I own mine for 33 years and am very happy with her.
One point that can need attention is the main mast foot seat. Not mine, but someone else's gave way under the vertical pull of the stays on the mast. As a precaution I wedged a wooden chock under the seat taking the pressure to the keel.
I made many little modifications on my boat, featured in an article in P.B.O. of february 2005, and a few more afterwards.
The Dabber suits perfectly my taste and my needs, as a family boat many years ago and now I can still trail, launch and sail her singlehanded.
I am sure you will appreciate her many positive features and enjoy a lot of sailing in her.
Fair winds
Sandro
You could contact the Drascombe Owner Association and/or search the attached forum. A member made a list of Dabber numbers and building years but presently I can't tell how to find it.
I own mine for 33 years and am very happy with her.
One point that can need attention is the main mast foot seat. Not mine, but someone else's gave way under the vertical pull of the stays on the mast. As a precaution I wedged a wooden chock under the seat taking the pressure to the keel.
I made many little modifications on my boat, featured in an article in P.B.O. of february 2005, and a few more afterwards.
The Dabber suits perfectly my taste and my needs, as a family boat many years ago and now I can still trail, launch and sail her singlehanded.
I am sure you will appreciate her many positive features and enjoy a lot of sailing in her.
Fair winds
Sandro
Drascombedabber
New Member
want an open boat that can be rowed, and sailed, what alternatives are the tow drascombe dabber?
