Drascombe or similar

[Jim@sea]

As I look for a Drascombe Lugger or Longboat for sale in the N of England,
I know there are some in the S of England but for me its a 700 mile trip. Must be some for sale in the North of England
However.
I have come across a small boat for sale (6 m) which may be the only one ever made ( I dont want to put the make as I dont want another reader who lives nearby to go and buy it)
I wonder if there is an index of boat manufacturers which I can put the make in and do a search.
The boat itself looks a well made GRP hull with good wooden fittings. With GRP hulls I dont imagine that this will be the only one ever made.
It could be that the hull was sold by a well known boat builder for boatyards to finish off themselves and rename.
Perhaps if I could email people like Peter Poland at PBO and give them the make of the boat they may know of the make or know who was selling the moulding.
Obviously If I buy it I will put photos on the PBO website.
Any help appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[explores]

Look up swiftcraft explorer,may be it. Cat rigged ketch.

 

[coveman]

Some Drascombes for sale on the Association website - Drascombe Association Small Ads

 

[Jim@sea]

I believe that an identical boat to the one I am interested in was sold recently as a Manx Yol Sailing Boat.
It appears that the manufacturer was C.L Sailboats of Ramsbottom.
I could be wrong but it could be that in the 1980.s boatyards were able to buy GRP hull and finish them off.
It could be that "Character Boats" and "Lune Whammel" are from the same molding.
Its very coincidental that they all seem to be the same length.
The one I am interested in appears to be in good condition but as its the only one for sale that reduces its value, compared to say a Drascombe Lugger which is what I am really after.

 

[JumbleDuck]

The one I am interested in appears to be in good condition but as its the only one for sale that reduces its value, compared to say a Drascombe Lugger which is what I am really after.

Don't despair about a Lugger. There are plenty for sail out there, and alot cheaper than you'll find in the owner's club magazine, because that is by definition for enthusiasts and you want to find a seller who isn't a fan. I bought my Longboat for a very good price from a heir who had abandoned it in a yard for five years while his ideas of its value were inflated. He finally realised that a boat half full of brown water and decaying leaves was not going to fetch a lot and accepted my insulting offer at once.

So ... try Gumtree, try boatyards, even try eBay - there is quite a nice looking lugger there for £4k, which is the high side of OK, and a scruffy one for £7.5k which is just being silly. Good luck!

 

[William_H]

From what I know of a Drascombe one would only buy one for the image of ancient style open sailing boat. ie to be admired by others. I think for a similar size and a bit more weight you could get a nice 18 to 20ft cabin boat in GRP with self draining cockpit that is self righting and a whole lot cheaper. Certainly more comfortable in rain or rough weather. Plus a sail rig that is more efficient to windwrd. in other words I love a modern style small cabin boat. ol'will

 

[JumbleDuck]

Plus a sail rig that is more efficient to windwrd.

Saying that a Drascombe is inefficient to windward is like saying that a haddock is inefficient at volleyball. Drascombes go downwind, and the sails are only there to slow them down as they do so and give more people a chance to admire them.

 

[jwilson]

Drascombe Luggers do look good: years ago I always wanted one till I actually sailed one.

 

[Jim@sea]

From what I know of a Drascombe one would only buy one for the image of ancient style open sailing boat. ie to be admired by others. I think for a similar size and a bit more weight you could get a nice 18 to 20ft cabin boat in GRP with self draining cockpit that is self righting and a whole lot cheaper. Certainly more comfortable in rain or rough weather. Plus a sail rig that is more efficient to windwrd. in other words I love a modern style small cabin boat. ol'will

Yes you are right,
I had a Drascome Lugger 15 years ago and can get a boat that size up my drive, Anything bigger I am into paying for winter storage.
I can get a drying out mooring at Morecambe.
I certainly need a bilge keeler or a lifting keel
I missed a Gib Sea 242 at £3995, I also missed a Hunter Liberty at £4000
I could go to £5000 for the right boat. I was looking at a cheap Achilles 24 which is local to me but unfortunately it has a diesel inboard which they cant get going so in Achilles I would prefer an Outboard model.
There are a lot of boats for sale, there is one in Devon I could be interested in but for me thats a 700 mile round trip
Which is why I could do with a boat in the N of England.