Can Anybody I.D. This Boat?

[Kev Smyth]

http://images.copart.com/website/data/pix/20040917/08481964_4X.JPG

http://images.copart.com/website/data/pix/20040917/08481964_2X.JPG

The year is 1982, appears to have a gaff rig- you can see part of it on the ground in one pic. Yes, it's fiberglass, but a derivation of a wood design?

Thanks for your suggestions. smile.gif

[Billy Bones]

Drascombe lugger? Jack has one IIRC and I bet he'll be along after a while.

[Billy Bones]

Correction: Looks like a Drascombe Coaster...

http://www.drascombe.co.uk/images/Coaster1.gif

http://www.drascombe.co.uk/coaster.html

[Jack Heinlen]

Yep, a Drascombe Coaster. Basically a Lugger that's been stretched a bit and had the cuddy added.

Working from memory, the original Luggers were built of ply. John Watkinson designed it as an all 'round family day boat: sail, row, motor. He took the shape, more or less, from the coble, a British inshore fishing boat launched from beaches.

The glass work on the early eighties boats leaves a bit to be desired aesthetically. They are heavily built, but the finish work suffered. I think they hadn't retooled their molds in years and they tend to be a bit ripple-ly.

Interesting boats. A search will turn up Webb Chiles who sailed a Lugger from San Diego to the Red Sea in an attempt to circumnavigate. His two books on the voyage are worth a look. In the right hands they've proved able little boogers.

P.S. The rig on the main is a sliding gunter without a boom. The jib is on a furler. The hull has a relatively deep forefoot and an almost flat run, so when you drop the main and furl the jib(about thirty seconds practiced work, alone) the boat naturally and very quickly weathercocks on the mizzen and that forefoot.

It's a pretty handy rig, though one of these days(years) I'm going to add a sprit boom for off the wind.

England has an active association, NA a less active one.

[ 09-25-2004, 08:29 PM: Message edited by: Jack Heinlen ]

[Kev Smyth]

You guys are good! Thanks!

I thought I recognized the hull shape, but the cabin confused me, as I'd never seen the cabin model.

This boat is insurance salvage- I may get it just for the experience. They typically don't sell for much, maybe a grand. Other photos show the interior with at least the main on the bunks. It looks some other sails may be bagged on the ground. No pre-bid inspection is allowed. :(

I've been looking for a trailerable day sailer for a while, this could be it. We had a lightning, but it was too hard to get the mast up without a big production. This should be easier with the mast base as it is.

How do they sail in light air? The mizzen boom idea makes a lot of sense.

[Jack Heinlen]

The mizzen boom idea makes a lot of sense. Nah, you're not seeing it. Look at the photo Billy posted. The main wants a sprit boom, not the mizzen.

Light air, not fast. The boat and rig are designed for relatively heavy air. The rig is very easy, but the sails don't stuff into sail bags, they stay on the spars. The sails are on the ground with the rig, as in your original photos, so I'd write them off. Figure, oh I dunno, close to a grand for new sails.

P.S. Look at the sails, spread them out, but if they've been sitting under the boat for a long time...well...

I'd have a good look at the spars too.

The rig invites experimentation, but this is a sort of life boat type, not a fast daysailor in light air. A good day boat for places that blow fifteen regularly, but not for ghosting.

[ 09-26-2004, 01:17 AM: Message edited by: Jack Heinlen ]

[Kev Smyth]

Aha- I was thinking of what would happen downwind with that mizzen, but the main would be an even bigger issue. I understand what you mean now. I wonder if a complete change to a sprit rig would help if it did need new sails. Light air is what we get here all summer long, so more sail would help.

Checking again, the boat is a donation so there may not be any real damage. Here's the interior- not much there.

http://images.copart.com/website/data/pix/20040917/08481964_5X.JPG

[Kev Smyth]

What do you think one might be worth? I can't find any listed on Yachtworld or Boat-Trader.

http://images.copart.com/website/data/pix/20040917/08481964_1X.JPG

[Jack Heinlen]

Oh Jeez, what's it worth?

If the sails are usable for a season or two, and the spars aren't rotten, and the motor works, and the hull and cuddy have no damage aside from oxidation, and the trailer is sound(maybe new bearings) the rig is worth 3 to 6 grand.

Climate. You might get it for fifteen hundred; it might be worth more than six. Throwing a fastball in the bottom of the strike zone never hurts. If things are basically sound offer them a couple grand.

BTW, there were very few of these made, so officionados might drive the price up once they catch on. If there is nothing basically wrong with all the above, I wouldn't feel badly paying four for it.

[Kev Smyth]

It's intriguing- I'll probably throw in a bid when it comes up- late October. This is in an insurance salvage yard where only guys with auto related business licenses can bid, so the sailboats usually don't go for much as the exposure is very limited and they really aren't a big part of the participating "culture."

Now a jet boat with a 454 and some good metal-flake, EVERYONE understands what that's all about!! :rolleyes: :D This boat will just confound 99% of the available participants. :cool: It looks lonely- like it would follow me home....... ;)

[Jack Heinlen]

Kev,

It sounds like you can pick it up for a song. It's a perfect situation. A season or two sailing, spit and polish, and I doubt you will go wrong, even if you end up buying new sails.

The boats have a cult-like following in England. Much less so here, but from the sound of it, GO FOR IT! smile.gif

Jack