From: erck03@castle.ed.ac.uk (John Wexler)
Newsgroups: rec.boats
Subject: Re: Beginner
Date: 28 Aug 92 08:53:00 GMT
Organization: Edinburgh University Computing Service

In article <1992Aug27.184237.4739@porthos.cc.bellcore.com>,
dtp1@donner.uucp (80733-patricia) writes:
|> So now I am seriously considering a sailboat for
|> use on large lakes and in bays in the northeast.  
|> I won't have more than two people to crew it, but
|> I would like to be able to sleep on board if necessary.
|> Also, it would need to be trailerable.  Is this what
|> is known as a daysailer?  Or is that what I would be
|> known as (in addition to other things).  I intend to
|> go to school to learn how to sail properly (I'm self-taught)
|> and how to navigate, etc.   

If it's for general "domestic, social and pleasure" use, then I would
suggest a Drascombe boat of some kind.  If it's for racing, excitement
or sport, then you will want something else, but let me tell you about
Drascombes anyway.

[Eulogy warning: skip to next message NOW if you already know what kind
of boat you like!]

These are essentially open boats of a more or less "traditional" hull
form, and they come in sizes from about 14feet to 22feet.  I say "open",
but the larger ones have the option of half-decking and a small cabin,
which makes a very practical small cruiser.  If you are willing to live
in a spartan "wilderness camping" style, then two people can live aboard
for a week or so. 

They look very attractive, and they get a lot of attention.  They have
good freeboard, a heavy iron centreplate, and good stability.  They sail
remarkably well, given that they have none of the benefits of modern
masts, rigging and sails.  They are exceptionally versatile,
manoeuverable and manageable - you can make them do all sorts of
surprising things except sail really FAST.  They also handle very well
under outboard power. 

They are good sea-boats for their size, and keep surprisingly dry in
choppy conditions.

Most models are rigged as yawls with a gunter gaff mainsail, often
loose-footed.  They have wooden spars, very simply stayed.  The rig is a
simple but effective, and also very quick to drop for trailering and to
set up for launching. 

They perform all the traditional manoeuvres easily and predictably, so
they are good to learn on, and also good for single-handing.

They are pretty safe, and fit for use at sea, and in bad weather your
courage will probably give out before the boat gets into trouble.  The
19foot variety has made significant passages in the Atlantic, the
Pacific, and the Indian Ocean.  You can use them comfortably for family
picnics (I've often sailed with five adults aboard without feeling
overcrowded), fishing, visiting interesting places, and just pleasure
sailing.  You can row them or scull them.  You can safely run them up a
beach.  With only about 1 foot of draft (with the plate and rudder up -
steering with the outboard or an oar), you can take them into places
which most yachts cannot approach. 

They are exceptionally strongly built.  They have absolutely no fancy or
expensive gear - not even a single winch on mine. 

Easily trailed behind a medium sized car, and relatively easily launched
and recovered from/onto the road trailer.  Mine (22ft cruiser) weighs
about 1000lb (hull, spars, sails, rudder and plate; excluding outboard
and other gear). 

Best of all, being very simple, they take VERY LITTLE MAINTENANCE and
they're cheap to look after. 

    John Wexler
    Edinburgh

I haven't been able to trace a dealer or agent
for Drascombe boats in the US yet, but you may be able to get a lead
from the following contacts:

Builders -
Honnor Marine, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6BR
+44 803 862228

Luke Churchouse, Stoodley, Holne, South Devon TQ13 7RY (Editor of the
Drascombe Association News) phone +44 3643 272

Jeremy Churchouse, Brynfa, Black Lion Road, Gorslas, Llanelli SA4 6SD,
South Wales
(Drascombe sales, second-hand brokerage, renovation, and miscellaneous
interesting things by mail order) phone +44 269 844757

James and/or John Watkinson, Willow Creek, Noss Mayo, Plymouth PL8 1EE
(the original designer and - I guess - his son)

Builder of wooden Drascombes: Norman Whyte (Quality Boats) Ltd.,
"The Piers", Findhorn, Scotland IV36 0YF [phone +44 309 690504]

Owners in the States, extracted from the Association's register - I have
addresses in the following places: [these people have not given
permission for their names to be published, but I'll risk supplying
individual addresses to enquirers by e-mail]

Fairfax VA 22033

E. Rochester, New York 14445

Rochester, New York 14625

Willoughby, Ohio 44094

Middletown, New York 10940

Richmond CA 94805

Bear, DE 19701