Norfolk urchin or Drascombe Dabber?

[Swg]

Any views on these two for pottering and use as occasional cruising dinghy?
The Norfolk boat looks like it will take the ground better and may be easier to launch/ recover from a shallow gradient sand beach. It's heavier lb/ft length and shorter on the waterline and significantly more expensive...

 

[JumbleDuck]

Any views on these two for pottering and use as occasional cruising dinghy?
The Norfolk boat looks like it will take the ground better and may be easier to launch/ recover from a shallow gradient sand beach. It's heavier lb/ft length and shorter on the waterline and significantly more expensive...

A Drascombe Longboat owner writes ...

I don't like the Dabber. The stern is hideous and there are just far too many bits of rope - the mizzen is pure affectation and the whole thing is a pretty toy. Having Googled the Norfolk Urchin I have fallen in love. That's gorgeous.

 

[William_H]

Both very classic very traditional type boats. Certainly nice to have as a shiny example for the onlookers. However once you get out on the water no one is there to admire your traditional boat. What you will need out on the water is a cabin for you or passengers to hide in when the weather goes bad and lots of size and weight. That would mean any MAB that you can get cheap in GRP. But of course if you want to keep it at home and tow it then the choice becomes a little more difficult. So big decision is what type of boat is going to leave you satisfied after a few years. (if any at all) olewill

 

[pcatterall]

Both very classic very traditional type boats. Certainly nice to have as a shiny example for the onlookers. However once you get out on the water no one is there to admire your traditional boat. What you will need out on the water is a cabin for you or passengers to hide in when the weather goes bad and lots of size and weight. That would mean any MAB that you can get cheap in GRP. But of course if you want to keep it at home and tow it then the choice becomes a little more difficult. So big decision is what type of boat is going to leave you satisfied after a few years. (if any at all) olewill

+ 1 on that.
There seem to be lot of of very expensive boats around based on some old classics but they don't seem to function any better than 'modern' alternatives.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Both very classic very traditional type boats. Certainly nice to have as a shiny example for the onlookers. However once you get out on the water no one is there to admire your traditional boat. What you will need out on the water is a cabin for you or passengers to hide in when the weather goes bad and lots of size and weight.

Take that, everybody in the world who enjoys sailing in open boats.

 

[Swg]

Jumble, thank you! And the others, flat bottom to beach, open boat because cabins get used almost never when you are a day sailor and it means more topside to maintain. Sail and oar means not relying on an engine which is good because although they rarely fail, it's always when you need them and finally, a wam feeling when walking away rather than an embarrassed shuffle off from an AWB suits some of us better... But seriously, anyone sailed an Urchin?

 

[wrr]

I have not sailed the Urchin but I used to own a Dabber. They sail well, despite the absence of a boom. In heavy weather, they can sail under jib and mizzen but the mizzen comes into its own when fishing by keeping her head to wind at anchor or while drifting. The three sheets are easier to manage if a solid horse is fitted. Finally, thigh waders are recommended when recovering onto a trailer!