Why a Drascombe?

Before discussing why a Drascombe might be for you let's first discuss why it might not!

Drascombes are not your typical race boat although that said Drascombe are raced at club level.  Get one or more Drascombes together heading in the same direction you've probably got yourself a race!  Sailed well with decent sails a Drascombe compares favourably with boats of a similar type.

Drascombes are not your typical offshore boat although Webb Chiles sailed a Drascombe Lugger across the Pacific and David Pyle sailed his Lugger to Australia!  Hans Vandersmissen and his Dutch friends have visited the UK by crossing the North Sea in their Drascombes.  Books on all these adventures and more can be found in our on-line shop.

Look across most harbours, out into a sheltered bay or estuary, graze down on a lake from a hilltop and you'll probably spot a Drascombe, for these are the waters best suited to John Watkinson's icon designs.  Light enough to be towed behind a regular car and launched by one person yet large enough to accommodate family, friends plus a dog or two, Drascombes meet the needs of many sailors.  When the wind drops they can be rowed and most designs feature an outboard motor well, these days that motor is often electric.

You can pick your adventure or perhaps you just want to anchor for some fishing?  Owners of open Drascombes have found ingenious methods of sleeping aboard for multi-day adventures but of course the larger designs like the Coaster have cozy cabins.  If you just fancy a day sail alone or with a crew a Drascombe can quickly be made ready for sea and off you go.  And if the sun isn't shining and there's a cap full of wind your Drascombe will look after you providing you sail her carefully.

Although it's still possible to buy a brand new Drascombe most new Drascombe sailors will buy theirs secondhand.  Bearing in mind the first Drascombe was launched in the 1960s there are boats available to suit every budget - check out the classifieds section.  Once you've got a Drascombe upgrading and tweaking her becomes something on an addiction, but a healthy one at that!  The DA forum, which you'll find on this website, will most probably arm you with all the knowledge you'll need to upgrade and maintain your Drascombe.

Last updated 09:14 on 27 April 2026