My son is looking for a Drascombe

[MoodySabre]

He is an experienced sailor. He fancies a trailer sailer and has a long garage and driveway. He lives near the water in West Wales. His preference is a Coaster Cruiser for weekends away. If anyone knows anything about them and even of one for sale (distance not being a problem - he bought his present car in Kent!) then I would like to hear from you. He doesn't want to spend leisure time on a project and nor do I as chief suspect for maintenance. These look like straightforward boats.
I have joined the Facebook group and looked at the association website.
TIA

 

[Bajansailor]

Here is a Drascombe Coaster for sale in Inverness -
CALY 2724 - Caley Marina

 

[LadyInBed]

Brokerage – Honnor Marine
"Honnor Marine builds the Original Devon Scaffie, Dabber, Lugger, Longboat, Coaster, Gig and we are very proud to say that we have just started building the Tamarisk 19. We also specialise in refurbishing, upgrading and supplying parts for Drascombe boats of all ages. Have a look at our wide selection of Brokerage boats."

 

[wombat88]

Pre-owned Boats

Bought a boat off them a few years ago, no problems. I told them what I was looking for and they found it.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Two Coasters and a few others currently for sale on the Drascombe Owners' Association website: Drascombe Association Small Ads

 

[Old Thady]

I've owned a Drascombe and it was a great pottering boat. If I were in the market for the same kind of thing now, I'd go for a Swallow Boats Bayraider 20. It was specifically designed to do what a Drascombe does, but with better sailing performance, safety and practicality. There's a slight loss in charm but I could live with that.

 

[ProDave]

What is the big attraction of Dracombes?

I have sailed one and it did not strike me as special? and for the money they fetch you could get a pretty decent little cruiser with a proper cabin.

 

[MoodySabre]

What is the big attraction of Dracombes?

I have sailed one and it did not strike me as special? and for the money they fetch you could get a pretty decent little cruiser with a proper cabin.

And the proper expense. My son can store it at home, trailer to various places when time is available. No great trips or family holidays planned (except on my boat). I think will suit his use.

 

[JumbleDuck]

What is the big attraction of Dracombes?

I have sailed one and it did not strike me as special? and for the money they fetch you could get a pretty decent little cruiser with a proper cabin.

I keep my longboat on Loch Ken, a freshwater loch in SW Scotland. It's a great boat for pottering about with friends. We regularly have seven on board without feeling crowded, and the usual day out is to sail one way and motor the other to somewhere interesting, anchor and then lounge around, swim or explore in dinghies.

 

[Paul HD]

This one came up on Apollo duck a few days ago. Drascombe Longboat for sale UK, Drascombe boats for sale, Drascombe used boat sales, Drascombe Sailing Yachts For Sale Drascombe Longboat cruiser - Apollo Duck

I recently bought a cruiser and I love the looks of them.

 

[Srt1976]

He is an experienced sailor. He fancies a trailer sailer and has a long garage and driveway. He lives near the water in West Wales. His preference is a Coaster Cruiser for weekends away. If anyone knows anything about them and even of one for sale (distance not being a problem - he bought his present car in Kent!) then I would like to hear from you. He doesn't want to spend leisure time on a project and nor do I as chief suspect for maintenance. These look like straightforward boats.
I have joined the Facebook group and looked at the association website.
TIA

Are you still looking for a coaster

 

[MoodySabre]

Are you still looking for a coaster

No, he bought one and we went out in it for the first time last weekend. A very happy chappy.
If you’ve got one to sell then try the Drascombe Facebook group.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

What is the big attraction of Dracombes?

As a general rule the best boat for you is the one that fits what you want to use it for, so I'll throw in my 10p worth ...

I have a Dracombe Lugger in the Isle of Skye, as a family boat for the summer. It lives on a trailer when I'm not using it, and a light mooring (which I put down from the boat) when I am. It is, roughly speaking, perfect for what I want.

We use it for sailing, exploring, fishing and lobster pots. Day trips only. No boom makes it pretty safe with young children on board, and it's very stable. Three methods of propulsion (oars, sail and outboard) means you're unlikely to get stuck, in an area where you can't rely on assistance being available. Going out in light conditions we might just use the outboard and not bother with the sails, but the sails are easy to handle even if you're taking children out, with no-one else who knows what to do.

It's light enough to make it reasonably easy to launch and recover, particularly if I wear wet suit trousers. You need to raise the centre-board and remove the rudder when approaching the shore.

Lovely boat if those are your requirements.

 

[Saint Raphael]

I am into my second season with a Honnor Marine, Dabber, and I couldn't be happier. We are lucky enough to live in Saint Raphael
in France, and this has proved to be a great little day sailer. Very easy to handle, and a good performer all round.

 

[cirruss]

I am into my second season with a Honnor Marine, Dabber, and I couldn't be happier. We are lucky enough to live in Saint Raphael
in France, and this has proved to be a great little day sailer. Very easy to handle, and a good performer all round.

Would it fit two adults and two children (15 and 11). I am considering either a lugger, dabber or wayfarer?!

 

[jwilson]

What is the big attraction of Dracombes?

I have sailed one and it did not strike me as special? and for the money they fetch you could get a pretty decent little cruiser with a proper cabin.

About 50 years ago I really wanted a Drascombe Longboat as a camping cruiser but could not afford one. Then I sailed one and lost interest in them rapidly. I thought it was slow and pretty uninspiring to sail. For some though these and their bigger/smaller variants may be just the job.

 

[cirruss]

About 50 years ago I really wanted a Drascombe Longboat as a camping cruiser but could not afford one. Then I sailed one and lost interest in them rapidly. I thought it was slow and pretty uninspiring to sail. For some though these and their bigger/smaller variants may be just the job.

Yes they look just a bit too tame under sail perhaps. A wayfarer however can be quite exhilarating I understand when she goes onto the plain! I just worry it is too cramped for two adults and two teenagers. Which is why considering the drascombe dabber or lugger

 

[Saint Raphael]

Would it fit two adults and two children (15 and 11). I am considering either a lugger, dabber or wayfarer?!

Yes it would. The Dabber is licenced for five adults. I have never had that number in my boat, and feel that it might be a little cramped.
Certainly The Dabber is very easy to handle. I can launch and retrieve alone. I can't make any comparisons to a Wayfarer as I have never owned one.

 

[coaster63]

Hi Saint Raphael , you certainly brought back some happy memories having towed a Dabber to the south of France in 1982 , launched and moored in small harbour at Agay ,and sailed all along that area for a couple of weeks ,there were 4 adults & 2 kids . The versatility being that we towed it down with 70s VW camper but stayed in nearby rented mobile home. Some on here ask whats the attraction ,well we still have the Dabber sits on a local mooring now, used very regularly during pandemic more so ( regular exercise ) but to add is over the years has explored the Clyde , Mull Jura and chased by dolphins in Cromarty or summer isles in the west. So yes as
[B]Barnacle Bill[/B] says above Lovely boat if those are your requirements . Also had a brief spell of coaster ownership only 20 yrs, with that came the pleasure of easy towing launch and recover plus more range and time to explore areas cruise inner Hebrides and Clyde at a more leisurely pace without returning to base and if occasion arises due to weather recover wherever after collecting vehicle and go home and park it up till next time .

l

 

[Saint Raphael]

So pleased to hear of your memories of a Dabber in The Med. That was a few years back. Agay is just about the same, albeit a little quiet now at the end of the season. Latterly we've been sailing west out of Boulouris over the last two weeks. The huge sailing regatta coming out of Saint Tropez is an absolute delight, with many of the world's magnificent sail boats. Sadly no dolphins to be seen yet, but we did we tuna going airborne after their prey. A real treat. But it's almost the end of the season now as the Mistral wind becomes more regular. That's one of the joys of a Dabber it's so easy to haul it out of the water.