Drascombe Coaster

[Summer Sailor]

I am thinking of buying a Drascombe Coaster and wondered what people thought of them? Is there another similar boat I should be considering?

I want to spend under 10K for a towable boat. Needs to be suitable for two young kids and two adults.

Thanks!

 

[Zagato]

Check out the Drascombe Association site http://www.drascombe-association.org.uk/smallads.php

I would also consider the Cruiser and Drifter as they have much bigger cockpits - 3 in a Coaster is a squeeze because of the bulkhead whereas you can get 6 in a Drifter comfortably. Cabin size on a Coaster is also very tight especially with the lifting keel case taking up room. Honnor marines site shows how small the cockpit is, can squeeze in 3! http://honnormarine.co.uk/Coaster/coaster.htm

The Coaster is a big dinghy whereas the Drifter (same length as Coaster) has higher sides and is more stable yacht with only 2' draft so still ideal for creek crawling, and no lifting rudder/keel to worry about.

Trailer sailing the Drifter is just as easy and raising mast etc the same as a Coaster. I can recover my Drifter with one hand on the winch any 1.8cc motor can pull it. Some do it with a 1.6cc.

My trailer is designed so you don't have to get the wheels wet

I am moving mine on now as I have the Crabber but will return to one, one day!

 

[alant]

I am thinking of buying a Drascombe Coaster and wondered what people thought of them? Is there another similar boat I should be considering?

I want to spend under 10K for a towable boat. Needs to be suitable for two young kids and two adults.

Thanks!

If your just daysailing, how about a Scaffie or Dabber?
Both sail/row/outboard ok & anything bigger needs a bigger engine if wind drops (difficult/impossible to row far).

 

[Seajet]

A Devon Yawl will be much more fun to sail; all these boats are better left on a mooring - a cheap half tide job is ideal - regularly trailing any boat including a dinghy is a pain, and one often needs a machine gun to get access to the slip on sunny days, then there's finding somewhere safe to leave car & trailer, etc...

 

[Zagato]

I am presuming the OP wanted a cabin as he mentioned the Coaster, which is why I suggested the more spacious Cruiser or Drifter (you missed out on the opportunity of selling an Anderson Andy A half tide mooring would be more of a pain for me than the flexibility of trailer sailing. I think trailering versus moorings depends on the individual wants out of sailing...

The Devon Dayboat Mk11 looks interesting and quite attractive from what can be seen from the samll picture here http://www.devonyawl.org/page.php?7

Edit - Oh maybe not, even the Coaster looks more attractive than that - shame

http://www.chewvalleysailing.org.uk/files/Boat Details.pdf

What about a Cornish Shrimper...

 

[Summer Sailor]

Thanks for the replies. I should have been more specific about my needs. I want a boat that will be good and stable for young kids with the option of shelter (at least a spray hood) or perhaps an overnight. I am planning on trailing it to the Med next summer and using it for day sails to explore. I don't want the cost of moorings and I want the flexibility to take it to different places easily.

Thanks Zagato, I am trying to understand the exact differences between the various models. A bigger cockpit is definitely appealing. How much do you want for yours?

 

[Searush]

Wayfarer/ Wanderer with a small sprayhood would probably meet your needs & quite a bit lighter/ easier to tow

Lots of older Micro sailers too with good performance Gem & Nimrod spring to mind as "dinghies with lids". Google for yachts under 20' & look at the images to see what you like.

 

[Laurie]

Probably cost more, but amazing boat none the less...Red Fox 20?

 

[erbster]

We (me, wife, 2 kids 7&10) had similar requirements (except desire to trail onto the continent). Had a go in a Drascombe longboat and loved it. Long story short, having looked at loads of boats, ended up with a Cape Cutter 19.

Absolutely love it.
Easily trailable,
Sleeps 4
Sails really well (including upwind, unlike some gaffers)
Excellent value for money

Had lots of fun last summer; looking forward to more adventures in the next few months...

 

[Seajet]

We (me, wife, 2 kids 7&10) had similar requirements (except desire to trail onto the continent). Had a go in a Drascombe longboat and loved it. Long story short, having looked at loads of boats, ended up with a Cape Cutter 19.

Absolutely love it.
Easily trailable,
Sleeps 4
Sails really well (including upwind, unlike some gaffers)
Excellent value for money

Had lots of fun last summer; looking forward to more adventures in the next few months...

' Swallows and Amazons ' style FUN beats " we've got a freezer and dishwasher ' every time !

 

[Zagato]

Wow this is an old thread, hark at me having a go at the Coaster , a boat I may actually get eventually Must get on and advertise my Drifter!

We (me, wife, 2 kids 7&10) had similar requirements (except desire to trail onto the continent). Had a go in a Drascombe longboat and loved it. Long story short, having looked at loads of boats, ended up with a Cape Cutter 19.

Absolutely love it.
Easily trailable,
Sleeps 4
Sails really well (including upwind, unlike some gaffers)
Excellent value for money

Had lots of fun last summer; looking forward to more adventures in the next few months...

Second the Cape Cutter, having followed one on a recent rally over a number of days where conditions were pretty hairy and the steep waves nasty (bowsprit went through one even on my Crabber) I have total respect for them although I wouldn't of wanted to be in it at the time. It wasn't slow either beating Contessa 26/MacWester 28 in full on conditions each time. The jib being hanked on was a real advantage keeping her close to wind. I wonder if a heavier Shrimper would have this performance. I think the sails are maybe more adaptable than the bigger boats and on a run from Poole to NewTown it just left everyone standing, must have been an hour faster than the rest with all sail up whilst I and others were still reefed!

 

[erbster]

Sailplan is very flexible. Yankee, staysail and 3 reefs in main. I have a furling staysail and it definitely does not point quite as high as a hanked on sail. Still goes better than a shrimper IMHO. <ducks>