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DDRASCOMBEA ASSOCIATIONN NEWS No. 136 • Spring 2021 a Dabber Owning a Drifter Tim Severin

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Netherlands Italy Association Business Association Business The Association Shop Association Items Drascombe Association News Spring 2021 • No.136 The magazine of the Drascombe Owners’ Association Do you have an article for DAN?

Car Sticker Please read this first! Contents Badge Boat Sticker Burgee Cloth Badge We love receiving your articles and would appreciate your Association Business help in getting them printed in DAN. Just follow these simple rules: Who’s Who 4 Chaiman’s Log 4 Length – try to keep to 1500 words; but we can split New Members 5 longer artlicles over two issues. Editor 6 Rally Programme 7 Tie Tea Towel Format – Unformatted Word Document (not pdf or typed onto an email, each of which require retyping or Rally Form 10 Mugs Knitted Beanie reformatting). Photo Competition 12 Committee News 13 Burgee Tan on cream, supplied with toggle and eye £15.50 Photos – please: Drascombe Mug features the Dabber, Lugger & Coaster. By Bob Heasman £8.00 • Provide captions or explanations; Regular Features Knitted Beanies Navy with Bronze Lugger logo. One size fits all £9.50 • Tell us who took them; News from the Netherlands 14 Lapel Pin Badge Metal enameled £4.00 • Send as separate, high resolution, jpg files; Tim Severin - Obituary 15 Drascombe Car Sticker “Drascombe – the sail that becomes a way of life” £1.50 • Do not send me links to websites – photo quality will Junior DAN 16 Drascombe Boat Sticker. 3 inch diameter £1.25 be too low for printing; What’s Yours Called? 17 Bob Heasman’s Cartoons 18 Drascombe Association Cloth Badge Suitable for jeans, sweaters etc £3.00 • You can email them to DANews@drascombe- association.org.uk or email the editor to request a Book Review 20 Ties in navy or brown with Drascombe motif £5.00 Dropbox link; Crossword 21 Drascombe Association Tea Towel Displays 9 detailed images of the most popular Drascombes • Do not embed photos in your text; 100% cotton and machine washable £5.95 Rally Reports Copyright – please check with owners of copyright (eg Valentia 22 Books to Buy charts, photos, maps) or tell the Editor who owns the Drascombe 10/30 10 years of the Association and 30 years of Drascombe £5.00 copyright. A Celebration of Drascombes 20 years of the Association and 40 of Drascombes: Dan 20/40/80 celebrates the boats Drascombe Adventures and the people who designed, built and sailed them. £4.00 You don’t need a degree in English to publish in DAN – 30 Years of Luggering 24 The Shallow Sea Drascombe by Hans Vandersmissen – a manual of seamanship £15.00 our professional journalist John Boileau will polish it up Anchoring 16 25 for you. Don’t be offended if limited space forces us to Drascombe Round Britain by Jim Hopwood – a circumnavigation in easy stages £10.00 While I Sail a Dabber 27 shorten your article. We may also have to carry some Experiences of A Drifter 30 Dan 100 100th edition of the Associations magazine with brilliant features, spectacular photos, articles over to the next edition, but I will try to let you tips galore, plus much, much more £4.00 Family Cruising 32 know if that is going to happen. Across Italy 35 Small Boat Adventure 39 Drascombe Leisurewear DAN email correspondence: Please use DANews@ Testing the Rain Gauge 42 drascombe-association.org.uk – articles have been Polo shirts, sweatshirts, Gilet, Ladies rugby shirt, Sailing in South Africa 45 known to get buried forever amongst the editor’s personal Sailablity 47 available in a range of colours and sizes with logo and email! the option of adding a national or local emblem and or boat name. The DAN team: Bumpkin Editor: Andy Biggs Go to clothing on the Drascombe web site to see all Sub Editor: John Boileau A Boat you can Carry 48 colours and sizes, fill in and email/post the order form. Advertising: Niall Wardrop Centreplate Stories 50 Please allow 28 days for delivery. Cartoons: Bob Heasman Restoring a Drifter 52 Proof readers: Jack and Anne O’Keeffe Electric Outboard 54 and other kind helpers Useful Things 56 Orders for the shop should ideally be emailed or posted: Details below. Cover photo: Adverts PayPal is the preferred method of payment, Cheques made payable to “Drascombe Association”. Bank Transfer: 30- Sailing under Table Mountain by Peter Ridgway 98-69 00355875. An alternative (popular in ) is via BIC/IBAN details are BIC:LOYDGB21183 IBAN:GB50 LOYD 3098 6900 3558 75 Branch: TOTNES Name: THE DRASCOMBE ASSOCIATION Unless otherwise stated, all illustrations are provided by the author of the article they The opinions expressed in DAN are those of the authors and do not necessarily All prices include P&P to the UK, postage outside the UK will be will be quoted when the order has been received. accompany. Copyright on all material published in this magazine remains with the represent the opinion or policies of the Drascombe Association. contributor from whom permission to reproduce any material in full or in part must be Aidan Williams, Email: [email protected] sought through the editor. Copyright © The Drascombe Association 2021

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The Association’s Volunteers and Officers: Who’s Who New Members Officers Subscription Rates Chairman Niall Wardrop Northern South West Eire 1234567890 The Annual membership rates, which include subscription to DAN are: [email protected] UK £15 Vice-chairman Jack O’Keeffe Eire €25 Secretary Dave Staniforth Europe postal Zone £20 [email protected] Treasurer Dave Staniforth Rest of the World £23 Wales and Midlands East Coast USA 1234567890 If a second person living at the same address wishes to become a member in [email protected] their own right, but receive a shared copy of DAN then the combined costs are: Communications Andy Biggs UK £23 1234567890 Eire €35 [email protected] South Coast Scotland Spain Europe postal Zone £28 Area Representatives Rest of the World £31 East CoastTim Read [email protected] If you are an exisiting Member, please ensure that your standing order has Ireland and International Jack O’Keeffe 1234567890 been updated to the amount shown above. As standing order arrangements [email protected] have to come from the payer, we cannot correct it for you. Alternatively, you can North Andy Biggs change to Direct Debit payment. 1234567890 If you have any enquiries about membership payments please contact Dave [email protected] Scotland Chris Mason Staniforth: [email protected] 1234567890 [email protected] South Coast Dick Pizey Members’ Register and Archives 1234567890 Please check your email address is correct and up to date (also your Members’ We do politley ask members to keep us updated of any change in contact details. Please check the [email protected] Area). You will need to be logged into the Forum, then log out and log in again. address label when your copy of DAN arrives, as sometimes we have copies returned when there is South West Vacancy, please contact Dick Pizey Then go to the following url to get to the members’ register on the DA Website: [email protected] an error in the address, even if it appears to be correct Wales and Midlands John Christie www.drascombe-association.org.uk/Memb 1234567890 Username: xxxxxxxxx [email protected] Password: xxxxxxxxx 2021 Association AGM Post holders Advertising Niall Wardrop he Drascombe Association of Zoom. The normal rules of the times. 1234567890 2021 Annual General Meeting DA apply for nomination of new [email protected] Chairman’s Log T Archives Lynne Barnes will take place on Saturday 20th members of the Committee or for In order to plan for the AGM, 1234567890 March at 1330. It is uncertain the addition of any other business registration via email to agm@ [email protected] Niall Wardrop DAN Editor Andy Biggs whether or not physical meetings to the AGM agenda. The Agenda, drascombe-association.org.uk is 1234567890 indoors will be allowed, so the Nominations for committee and required. The details of the Zoom his will be my last Log for DAN as my term as Chairman comes to an [email protected] Officers and Committee of the AGM Reports will be posted online call will be shared in the week Forum Niall Wardrop end with the 2021 AGM. It has not been what I hoped for in the past T DA have decided that the 2021 in the Members Only section of before the meeting. 1234567890 year due - of course - to COVID, but I am confident that the Association is [email protected] AGM will be held online by way the DA Forum at the appropriate Membership Dave Staniforth in good hands with the ongoing Committee and will weather this storm. I 1234567890 would like to thank Committee colleagues and DA members for their help [email protected] Rally Coordinator Jack O’Keeffe and support during my chairmanship and previously as Scottish repre- 1234567890 sentative. [email protected] Shop Aidan Williams [email protected] In the meantime while physical events remain impractical I hope that the Webmaster Jolyon Wardle other facets of the Association’s activities can provide a means to carry 1234567890 on our interest through DAN and the DA web forum and our other online [email protected] resources to recall past exploits, plan for the future and maintain and upgrade our boats. DAN is published by The Drascombe Association This year’s AGM will necessarily be an online event; see page 5 for the details of how this will work. Niall Wardrop

The DA is affiliated to the RYA BOB HEASMAN

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Editorial Andy Biggs 2021 Rally Programme Keep in touch with the all the plans and details on the DA website. e all know that the world is be- attached to a second-hand , heard of the death of Tim Severin, Wcoming ever smaller. In 1995 but it was - and is - an ideal boat in a true adventurer, and if you read Drascombe Association Events (£5 rally fee payable to organisers) photographer Martin Parr published which to learn in. And our own boats John’s piece you will find an inter- Date/Place Organiser and Details “Small World”, in which he illustrated have a history and a pedigree that esting fact about him that I am sure February 13th Shorebased Jack O’Keeffe - Spring get together, format subject to progress against coronavirus, how the leisure industry contributed even when money is tight set them few knew. As with Sandro’s story SAN IDIRLíON unlikely to be a gathering. Joining instructions will be circulated close to the date to this change. So it is pleasing that apart from more modern and ex- about his wonderful trip across Italy, in this issue of DAN we have brought pensive options. Whatever the ex- there is a common link for us all, the March 6th Andy Biggs together the leisure activities of citement and spectacle of Americas sharing of the pleasure and chal- Shorebased Northern area Save the date for another sociable outing to meet greet and plan the plans with spring walk spring in the air and a spring in your step. More information can be found on the members from all around the world, Cup, we can bask in the knowledge lenge to be had from sailing small forum making it a truly international edition. that there are few sights as stirring boats, whatever they are called as a fleet of red-sailed boats under and however they were made. March 20th The plan is to hold this as an online event. Further information will be shared on the fo- Shorebased DA AGM rum and members are asked to use the email address agm@drascombe-association. a blue sky. Ben Ainslie may arrive org.uk to make further enquires As I write this there are two world- before us but with such style? wide sailing events taking place and Sharp-eyed readers of this is- March 26th South Coast Dinner Dinner to be held in Chichester Club - contact Peter Tiplady for more details receiving heavy media coverage. sue will notice a slight change in Shorebased But while Ben Ainslie spends mil- To further raise the profile of DA, the deadlines for DAN material. lions on his bid to win the America’s we plan to attend this year’s online This is to spread the four issues May 24th to 30th Dick Pizey Cup, I wonder how many smaller RYA show on 27 and 28 out more equally throughout the Liveaboard Cruise to Chichester and day sail in harbour boats that money could buy for February, so we do hope you will year and also to ease some pro- May 29rd to 5th June CRAOBH Bob Heasman charities such as Sailability or for be able to attend via your com- duction issues, as the summer AND WEST COAST Craobh Marina managed to successfully operate once the main 2020 lockdown was volunteer-run sailing clubs to in- puter - it will be good practice for should be spent sailing. Sitting lifted, so let’s hope by May we are able to be safely back on the water to this great troduce people to sailing. Would the forthcoming online DA AGM. behind a computer on a sailing day location. We will plan for our usual day sailing at the weekend followed by a cruise. such a gesture give Jim Ratcliffe can severely damage your health Please register your interest and I will keep folk advised as things evolve at the Mari- na and in the surrounding area. No fee of Ineos the publicity and kudos he and should always be avoided. June 18th John Stanage so obviously seeks? Probably not. SSD The Drascombe fleet is growing in Strangford Lough,we will be welcome to EDYC So as the four teams race for the solstice celebrations. Details of the midsummer event including the date to be con- America’s Cup in New Zealand, and The tide waits for no person firmed another group sails past in equally nor does a DAN deadline. July 2nd to 9 th SSD Pwllheli, Dave Staniforth expensive boats in the Vendee North Wales Fri 2nd to Sun 4th July will be based on the pontoons (SSD) with day sailing along the East coast of the Lleyn Peninsula to Criccieth/Abersoch/Llanbedrog/Pen Y Chain Globe, the newspaper headline depending on the tide/wind. Mon 5th to Thurs 8th will be liveaboard on a cruise ‘Posh sports face funding cuts in around Tremadog Bay - Porthmadog, Mochras Lagoon, Barmouth are options de- build-up to Paris 2024 Olympics’ pending on wind and sea conditions. (Low tide is in the middle of the day) continues to portray sailing as an One valuable aspect of attending a expensive and exclusive pastime. rally and becoming involved with the Late June / Early July Dick Pizey activities of the DA is the potential Liveaboard Solent to South West cruise and return for making new friends. This is well illustrated through the story behind Aug 13th to 15th DA Rally based at Mylor Marina for the pre race period of the Tall event. See Of course, the Golden Globe event Falmouth ‘Tall Ships’ Rally 2021 the FORUM for more details. aims to bring back some of the spirit one of Bob’s cartoons in this issue. of adventure shown by Robin Knox It is also pleasing to read anoth- er review about using an electric Sep 1st to 3rd 2021 Liveaboard Alan Williams Johnson in the first round-the-world LOMOND feeder cruise Balloch has become the preferred launching site with large slipway and adequate race but how far away it seems from outboard. What we need now is parking. Arriving on Wednesday 1st September, the group will stop overnight our activities. It is a shame that it is someone to share their experienc- amongst islands, heading north to Ardlui Marina following day.Ardlui Hotel has rooms es of using an electric car to tow a or “glampiing pods” for those wishing to stay onshore overnight. Friday 3rd Septem- this expensive side of sailing which ber, we will return to islands, joining main Rally attendees is seen by the general public, and boat. This change is coming for all of us, sooner or later. Elsewhere which shapes their view of what we Sep 3rd to 5th 2021 Loch Alan Williams do. We probably get more fun per £ in these pages you should find a Lomond Muster on Friday at Swing Bay. Saturday 4th September Lomond Rally will meet on from our pastime than most, and we variety of reading and I am particu- North Beach on Inchmurrin, sailing around islands before returning to Inchmurrin Ho- larly appreciative of John and Steve tel for overnight. Please note that the hotel runs a ferry service which would enable should continue to spread the word non sailing members to attend evening meal. of how much can be achieved on who have shared their experiences of times when things do not go to the tightest budget. A quick search Sep 11th & 12th Ullswater SSD Andy Biggs Based at the Glennridding Centre Further details can be found on the of Ebay will show that getting afloat plan. Their ability to deal with these The editor prepares for 2021 forum does not need to be expensive. challenges are a sign of true skill. by Penny Excell There might not be much glamour It was with some sadness that I

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2021 Rally Programme What have you been doing? Keep in touch with the all the plans and details on the DA website.

Dutch Drascombe Rallies DUTCH RALLY PROGRAMME Michel Maartens - The rally programme of the NKDE is published at https://www. When not sailing their boats, it does seem that members do still get afloat. nkde.nl/agenda/

Non Drascombe Association Events – names are Drascombe contacts, not organisers May 29th - 5th June The Great Glen Club http://www.sailcaledonia.org/ SAIL CALEDONIA

May 10th to 16th In the context of the current health issues the communities, flotilla captains and par- Semaine du Golfe de Morbhan ticipants are proceeding with implementation of the 11th Morbihan Week. We have some Drascombes registered to travel to this outstanding event August - Drascamp Preliminary notice of the return of Drascamp. More information to follow or contact SSD Sharon at CB, see back page

Jack collecting resources.

Arthur sailing his home made canoe

The Edam Canal Cruise, see report from the Netherlands in this issue of DAN Extra Copies of DAN We sometimes have spare copies of DAN left over. If you would like an extra copy, please contact the membership secretary (see Who’s Who on p4 of DAN). Cost to UK members is £3.50 including postage. Cost to overseas members will vary depending on postage costs to each country. All payment through Paypal – the membership secretary will send you a Paypal link when you order. The secret harbour on Coniston Water

8 Drascombe Association News Association Business Association Business Rally Application Form Welcome to the new East Coast Representative

DRASCOMBE RALLY APPLICATION FORM Tim Read

Event: Hampshireman who moved to PBO called ‘Small boat in the Spo- in Brittany. Great sailing with music ANorfolk 15 years ago, my day job rades’ about a couple taking their and parties every night, an amazing Skipper’s name (Block Letters): ……………….. is as a secondary school Geography Coaster to the Greek islands and the thing to do with a small boat, if you Address or Postcode during the event, if different from membership database teacher, which of course means I get spark to own a Drascombe was qui- have the opportunity to do it... go. lost a lot. I’ve been sailing since my etly lit. Several years passed but we We normally sail from Ipswich on the late twenties when I blew the last of finally purchasedDewiniaeth (Witch River Orwell where Dewiniaeth sits my student loan on a Day Skipper Craft in Welsh) in 2017 as a ‘Do-er on a drying mooring. Despite know- course despite no history of sailing upper’ and haven’t really looked ing the river really well, my knowl- in my family, driven by reading an back. We have trailed her to Devon edge of the rest of the East Coast is Tel No: Mobile: account of the first ‘Golden Globe’ and joined rallies locally and on the sadly lacking, so myself and Rosie race. Several small boats (mostly south coast and the best trip, a week are looking forward to meeting up Email address: Hunters) later I read an article in sailing her in ‘La Semaine Du Golfe’ with you all and exploring it together.

Additional crew will comprise: Adults: Under 18 years (please provide names if possible)

Guardian:

We shall arrive (day/time): and depart: By Land / Boat & require parking for Cars and Trailers Boat: Type: Name: Hull colour:

Communication and Tracking VHF AIS/ mAIS SafeTrex Other

Name of Contact in case of emergency:

Mobile: Relationship

Declaration: Tim sailing his Coaster Dewiniaeth by Julian Merson

I am a member of the Drascombe Association and have read and accept the Association rules. Rally Contacts My boat is insured to cover me and those who use her with my permission, for not less than £3 1234567890 1234567890 million in respect of third party liability claims with an authorised UK/EU insurer. Andy Biggs Dave Staniforth

I accept that though events may be organised by, or within the Association, it is the sole Bob Heasman 1234567890 Alan Williams 1234567890 responsibility of the skipper to decide whether or not to take part in all or any part of an event, taking into consideration that conditions may not be suitable for all craft &/or my fitness and Jack O’Keeffe 1234567890 Peter Tiplady 1234567890 experience and that of the crew.

I agree that boat and contact details may be distributed to other participants and, if and as Nick Hews 1234567890 Dick Pizey 1234567890 required, other authorities, and be retained for 1 year for Drascombe Association use.

I enclose: Completed application (this form)

Rally Registration/admin fee (£5, unless otherwise stated in the DA rally programme) DAN Deadlines - please note that these are different than previously published

The deadlines for submitting adverts or articles are: Summer 2021 1 April 2021 *Owners / Skipper’s signature:______Date:______Autumn 2021 1 July 2021 Please complete & return your form in good time. If having registered, you do not intend to come, Winter 2021 7 October 2021 please inform the organiser. Spring 2022 7 January 2022 vVersion Oct 2020

10 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 11 Association Business Association Business Photo Competition Situation Vacant his year’s competition is now closed and it is pleasing to see there is a wide range of entries. So T please don’t be shy and now is the time to vote. Further details can be found on the DA website Your Committee needs you Julian Merson who has been a member of the com- Water. Our thanks and appreciation for his hard work mittee for over ten years has decided to stand down go to Julian and we wish him all the very best for the Voting closes on 28 February 2021 from his current role as secretary. Therefore the future. It is pleasing to announce that Tim Read has committee are now looking for someone to take on kindly agreed to be the new East Coast represen- this important role. During his time on the committee tative. If you are interested in the rewarding post of Julian has also sevred as Treasurer and has been secretary, then please initially contact the DA chair Why not make a New Year’s Resolution and enter this the East Coast representative for a number of years. Niall Wardrop. He has organised a number of wonderful rallies both year’s Photo Competition when it opens. on the tidal waters of the Orwell and Stour, as well There is a link to Julian’s blog on the DA website as inland waters such as the Broads and Rutland

Last Year’s Winners Steve Porteous and Gordon Mackellar, with their personalised prizes, made by Jack O’Keeffe

Julian sailing Daisy II off Great Yarmouth by Andy Biggs. Drifter Restoration – a short story By Mick Price

During the restoration of my Drifter I was able to make basement and as a later addition was incompatible with use of a quite large quantity of redundant teak plank- the Grade 1 listed surroundings. ing. It was originally offered basically as firewood from However, the basement had in the past been used as a relative who in turn had saved it from the skip on a a location for the set of a film, although I am not sure substantial project at a quite famous Oxford College. which one, in which Michael Caine starred. So you could His intention had been to use it on a property he was say my, washboards, cradle and more than a renovating, but it had languished under polythene for few other bits have a bit of cinema history and of course a few years and had just become a nuisance and in “Not a lot of people know that”, but they will now. the way. Apparently, it was the remains of an octagonal benching Read about Mick’s restoration later in this issue of DAN that was fitted round a large brickwork pillar within the

12 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 13 Regular Features Regular Features Tim Severin - An Obituary By John Stanage im Severin died on December 18th and after briefly chatting to each other I when we were organising the 2017 T2020 at the age of 80 at his home realised that I was speaking to Tim Sev- Drascombe Association AGM which in West Cork. Tim was an internation- erin, of The Voyage fame, I had was planned to be held in Belfast. I ally acclaimed sailor, adventurer and only recently read his book which was made contact with Tim Severin to see 2020 report on Dutch Association of Drascombe Owners explorer and is probably best remem- first published the year before. Tim told if he could attend our celebrations and bered for his 1976 Brendan Voyage me of the proposal he was presenting to be a feature guest speaker. He unfor- By Henk Wels when he sailed in an ox-hide boat from the Minister which involved building an tunately was not available to join us in he year 2020 has been very special splitting the base. This required some not resist being present at the Dorestad Brandon Creek, on the Dingle Peninsula Arab in , using traditional Belfast due to other commitments, but Tindeed. It made planning events speedy repairs at Michel Maartens, Raid, only being possible under stern in Ireland, to Peckford Island in New- methods and materials, and sailing it amazingly told me that he had been very difficult, created practical difficul- luckily completed in time for the next Covid restrictions at Heeg Friesland. foundland, Canada. During his life he on an ancient trade route from Oman taught to sail by his father in a Dras- ties when quarantined and brought re- trips. They are happy people sailing and row- undertook many challenging voyages to Canton in the South China Sea. This combe Lugger in the South of England. ports of personal tragedy. Luckily your ing around in various open boats, the and adventures which he recorded in was to be a recreation of the historical We never did meet in Ireland, and now correspondent managed a surprisingly The early September Summer Weekend only exemption being Dirk Branbergen his books.Some of these voyages were 6,000 mile voyage made by Sinbad he has sadly died. A great sailor with a large amount of sailing with Drascombe at Edam was fabulous. A fleet of 26 in his Drascombe Coaster Struner, who to retrace the journeys of historical and the Sailor. The dhow was to be named humble start in a Drascombe Lugger. Coaster Medusa in the Netherlands, Coasters, Cruisers, a Dabber, Drifters, as usual was never caught motoring. legendary sailors. Sohar, after the none of it abroad for COVID reasons. Longboats and met and stayed Not so Medusa whose assistance as There is a long list of the NKDE events at the marina just outside the historical “bezemboot” (boat with broom in the that did not take place: the Spring Meet- locks, while keeping separated in line in reference to our famous Dutch ing, the Waddenzee Smiscruise, the with Regulations. On the first day we admiral Piet Heijn sweeping the 7 Seas) Slenk cruise, the Traditional November all sailed out due south with following gathering stragglers from -6 lee Editor’s Note A search in YouTube will enable you Waddenzee trip were each cancelled. winds to the Marken Lighthouse,to see shores and impassable low bridges with to watch the film Tim made about The its silhouette known as “Het Paard” its 8 HP Yamaha was appreciated by Brendan Voyage and you can still see Those events that did take place were (The Horse). I am sure, as photographed those involved. the original boat at the Craggaunowen fabulous. The Lockdown may have by the owner of the Strandbad pavilion Heritage Centre, Kilmurry, Co Clare. had an effect on the condition of the https://strandbadedam.nl/, a magnifi- For most of us the final event was the fleet as many owners including your cent sight. The lighthouse has a small Dorus Rijkerstocht at Den Helder, correspondent started on tasks of pol- beach and despite this being a lee shore where a group of Drascombes was guest ishing, refining equipment and painting with concealed underwater protection of the Royal Dutch Navy Yacht Club that they would not have bothered with we made it and toured the lighthouse, in a contest at the Texelstroom. Dorus otherwise. Getting the Drascombe out which is not normally open to the pub- Rijkers was the famous skipper of the of winter hibernation, getting the out- lic. We wondered why there was a large rowing rescue boat stationed at Den board back from the dealer, etc. required police vessel present, but this must have Helder in the early 1900s, saving the careful planning to make sure that our been to guard our retired Queen Beatrix lives of more than 500 sailors. At force Government’s travel restrictions were who was anchored with her Lemsteraak 5 the Texelstroom was too choppy for obeyed. Early June saw some lovely as Groene Draeck also at the lighthouse. your correspondent who left the contest Tim Severin’s dhow “Sohar” final resting palce near . well as hot days to spend sailing. Your Back against choppy waves to Edam early after 3 hours wind-against-current correspondent went to Heeg Friesland, for a Lebanese dinner served precisely and went to the Navy Museum instead. My personal connection to Tim Severin town said to have been Sinbad’s birth- formerly sand extractions and now under formal COVID restrictions at the The contest was won by Victor Vander- started in 1979 with a chance meeting place. It sounded to me to be a rather lakes on the river Maas, and toured the marina and next morning a canal cruise smissen, sailing the restored Pride of the in the Ministry of National Heritage farfetched and impractical dream, but a IJsselmeer and Randmeren as well as in Edam. All masts down and very lim- Fleet of his father Hans Vandersmissen, in the Sultanate of Oman where I had most interesting idea. Anyway the rest visiting the Overijssel Lakes. ited space to navigate but very do-able with the trophy won by 80-year old an appointment to meet His Highness is history, Tim obtained the funding and a great cruise. skipper Frans Zegers on board Dras- Sayyid Faisal, the Minister and a mem- for building the Dhow from the Omani There was only one disaster ... while combe Coaster Skua. Open Longboat ber of the ruling family in the Sultanate. government and undertook the voyage, I managed taking the mast down with In the Netherlands there is a group Witte de Wit came in last but not least. The usual protocol for such meetings starting in 1980. The tale is described the main still on, getting it up again called Natuurlijk Varen sailing raid was to sit in a waiting room until such in his book The Sinbad Voyage, which I was something else and it fell sideways, boats and your correspondent could Happy sailing in 2021 time as the Minister was available to can recommend. While we were talking meet. The ministry was housed in an I told him that I had met legendary ad- 18th century Omani fort called Bait Al venturer Thor Heyrdahl who had visited Editor’s Note - Find out more about Falaj, which had thick mudstone walls Oman just a year or two before during the activities of the NKDE from their with crenelated ramparts and had been his Tigris expedition, when he was website https://www.nkde.nl/ used for many years as the Sultanate of sailing a reed from the Tigris Delta There is a link from the DA website Oman army headquarters. in Iraq to Somalia in Africa and was storm bound in Muscat for a few days. While in the waiting room there was Another great sea adventure to read. The Dorestad Raid one other person already seated there Fast forward almost 40 years to 2016

14 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 15 Regular Features Regular Features

like to remind newer umembersrs Chow WYC? started. “If Boat Camping with Grandpa By Oliver I you’d like to tell uso why you chosea DABCHICKll for urs Ca your Scaffie or SCAMPI Y for your Dabber, droped me a line o ll canoe and, as the tide dropped, we ’s Y e Junior DAN and dependingt on the response I’ll prepare an occasional? ’s d headed off for a sail before returning item for the aNewsletter.” There was an enthusiastic re- t ? to the pontoon. Granny, Aunty Sarah a th sponse andh the ‘occasional’ became ‘regular’ and here we y 14 birthday last August will and Ada headed off to their B&B for h be remembered for a long time. are over thirty years later enjoying the wit and erudition of M the night and, although the plan was W Plans were made to spend the week some 1,300 members. So let’s start with an early one. to spend my birthday on the beach at W boat camping at Plas Heli in Pwllheli Porthmadog, it looked like bad weather d on Grandpa’s Drascombe LBC Kes- was approaching. FOOTLOOSE This is one of the thirteen wooden Scafa - d trel. Together with my brothers Will fies built by John and Doug Elliot here in Devon betweene a and Noah, we had great fun when we We cooked supper and spent the evening 1976 and 1980. This one is 42 years old and was refurh - e first went with him the previous year. e h chilling until it got dark and it was time bished by DougG earlier this year and sold to thet present e We had spent many months at home to sleep. Grandpa had decided to sleep owner Malcolm McDonald in September. i G t in Shropshire through the pandemic r h i in the to keep an eye on the new We presume the firsta owner appreciated the rig of the r lockdown and looked forward to the ham W a h tent. The wind increased a lot during hence the appropriate name. There used to be a h summer holiday. am W the night and it started raining heavily Lugger bearing this name, and there must many sailing as well. The advancing Storm Francis craft other than Drascombes so named. We travelled to the Welsh coast on the had arrived on the Lleyn Peninsula. We live on their way to Launch Lucy on the Lynher. Sunday and helped rig and launch the decided to visit the local Wetherspoon Oliver on board Kestrel SEA HOLLY Gordon Smith bought this Lugger last boat before motoring to the pontoons. for breakfast as the weather was going LUCKY DIP A Lugger so named, bought from Churc- Grandpa had bought a new tent which to get worse. The whole of the bay was There was a lot of climbing of slippery April already so named. However he says he likes the house Boats some years ago by Clive Campbell. He had better covered the whole cockpit. He already covered in white horses. The steps. The route through the mine took name and sees no reason to change it. Anyway it has spent many years racing round the cans and de- said it would keep us drier than the pancakes and syrup were a delicious about half an hour to complete and by become an apt name, for Gordon tells us “We spend a fair cided it was time to move on. He says “I started to hanker old one, given that rain was forecast. I the time we had finished they had closed start to my birthday and afterwards we amount of time sailing on the west coast of Scotland at a after doing some sailing where the purpose was to get didn’t worry as it was my birthday, and the entrance as it was too wet for any met up with the rest of the family in place called Ardnamurchan where sea holly grows wild on somewhere or go where the wind blows. I bought this boat I was sleeping in the cabin. more visitors. Porthmadog. the shore - it’s a beautiful plant. The plan is to move Sea on the weekend they moved and it was the only boat they Holly to Ardnamurchan for the summer so Sea Holly will had but turned out to be perfect. . So I guess you can say it On Monday morning it was warm with By now it was very wet and and The eye of the storm had hit the pen- be in good company.” was a lucky dip that I got Lucky Dip.” not much wind. Our 5 year old cousin definitely not beach weather. We decid- insula and it was good when Grandpa Ada joined us for the first time on LBC ed over lunch to spend the afternoon at decided it was going to be too uncom- Kestrel. I steered the boat out the har- fortable to spend another night on the SILVER MIST Once again a reluctance to change a RYAN’S CRADLE This from Don Thompson. I thanked the Sygun Copper Mine. My Granny name, this time a Lugger belonging to Tony Uren. He says bour and we anchored off the Sailing was born and grew up in Kitwe, Zam- boat. We went back home with my him and told him when I get a gem it goes in verbatim - I “We quite like the name so will probably keep it, unlike Club beach. The tide was rising so bia and told me stories about my great parents to Shropshire whilst Grandpa say no more. previous boats we have renamed and as this is supposed to there was no risk of beaching. Granny grandpa working as a mine engineer returned to the marina to take down the “I was innocently driving down a country road in New and Aunty Sarah had arrived with a in the Copperbelt. We were kitted out tent and make sure LBC Kestrel was be unlucky and being a superstitious Cornishman, would Hampshire,USA when I came upon a Scaffie for sale. beach picnic and there was plenty to eat with helmets. It had been raining most well tied up for another windy night have to go out and kill the serpent.” (Glad this is happen- When I suggested to my Mrs, who was many months and drink. We all spent the afternoon of the day and water was starting to on the pontoon. ing on the other side of the Tamar. GW ) along in pregnancy with our second child that we purchase swimming and playing in the inflatable seep through into the muddy tunnels. it, let’s just say she was less than enthusiastic about me SCARAB Yes, of course it is a Scaffie, sailed by John acquiring a second boat. She instead began to rattle off the and Mary Crocket on Windermere, bought from a broker many items she felt we needed to prioritise for the arrival in Coniston. It was neglected to the extent of having no of the baby. In my enthusiasm to be accommodating to her name, missing a bumpkin and with peeling gelcoat. John wants and needs, I suggested a Scaffie sailing along would and his son Simon spent many hours of TLC to bring her make a perfect cradle for our child. I guess the outcome is to her present pristine condition, ready to bear a fitting obvious, we purchased the Scaffie, our son Ryan was born name. It was Mary who chose the alliteration of Scaffie soon after, and the boat had its name.” and Scarab. In case you didn’t know Mr Google tells us a scarab is an ancient Egyptian beetle. G.W.

LUCY. A non-Drascombe owner wouldn’t know what a Longboat was hence miss the alliteration of Lucy Long- boat. There may be a Lady Longboat somewhere - watch Ready to sail from Pwllheli this space. Lucy belongs to Liz and Dave Goodman and you might meet them Leaving Launceston where they

16 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 17 Regular Features Regular Features

The Sailing Vicar – A Background Story By Robin Stephens

y wife and Colin’s wife met several Myears ago at theological college. They were each working as hospital chaplains at the time. I was introduced to Colin at a rather crusty theological college dinner. In conversation, we dis- covered that we shared a love of sailing. In due course, and very early in the year, I invited Colin to come for a sail with me in my Drascombe Longboat, Rainbow Aileen (which, incidentally, is now owned and actively used by the Outward Bound School in Hong Kong).

On the day in question, we drove down to Lymington, towing the Longboat and making polite conversation as we didn’t know each other at all. We got set up on the public slipway and prepared to launch. I had passed the winch strap around one of the trailer cross-members, and attached the end snap hook onto the fitting on the . I had also attached a ‘checking line’ on. The idea was that I would back-winch and Colin would hold the checking line to control “Rainbow Aileen” as she passed the ‘tipping point’ on the trailer.

Unfortunately, I had attached the checking line onto the rather rusty snap hook on the end of the winch strap. As I back-winched and we reached the tipping point, the snap hook parted and Rainbow Aileen very dramatically self-launched into Lymington river, unattached. There was a big stern wave akin to that during an old lifeboat slipway launch. Without any hesitation, Colin leapt into the freezing cold water and chased Rainbow Aileen as she flew out into the channel. The water was high up his chest by the time he managed to the boat and save the day.

We laugh about this incident often. It BOB HEASMAN broke the ice between us, and we have become very close friends over the past few years.

18 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 19 Regular Features Regular Features

Mildly cryptic Crossword No 5 for DAN. Book Review by Andy Biggs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

2020 Vision

100 years of the International in the UK By Steve Crook 9 10

11 e now take One Design boats for

Wgranted and they have become the norm. In the 1950’s there was a rapid 12 expansion in small boat sailing with the introduction of designs from the likes 13 14 of Jack Holt and Ian Proctor. Easy and cheap to build from plywood, boats 15 16 17 such as the GP14 and Solo brought sailing to the masses. This One Design approach was further developed when the came on the market, the aim 18 19 being that it would be the talents of the helm that would win the race, rather than the size of their bank balance. 20 21

At the start of the 20th century small boat sailing for the masses did not re- 22 23 ally exist. But in 1913 a new design by 24 25 George Cockshott won a competition for a 12 foot dinghy. This became known as the International 12 foot dinghy and was used at the 1920 26 27 and 1928 Olympics. It soon became popular as both a training and racing boat with clubs around the country. Across Down The introduction of the 1 The part of a meal that helps power a square rigger. 1 An arachnid sounds like a possibility. (4) dinghy in 1936 started the demise of (4,6) the International 12 footer in the UK but 6 Slow birds? (4) 2 One parliamentarian helps make little devils. (4) not abroad, where there are still active Crook recounts the story of three young Steve Crook learnt to sail a N12 in the Dutchmen who escaped from occupied Midlands before moving abroad and is 9 Chivalrous gentleman drives the square rigger from 3 Two vessels and a chap ensure a quality product. (12) fleets, especially in the Netherlands on high. (10) and Italy. Europe during WWII by sailing to now the proud owner of an International the UK in an International 12 - some 12 which he sails on the Thunersee in 10 Rushing along, all that could be seen of the view 4 One French bed in the dark? (5) was hidden by a tub lurking. (4) The author, Steve Crook, has spent achievement in the days before GPS . He would be pleased to a considerable amount of time and and Satnav. hear from any DA members who live 12 It’s as Titanic sinks that the number cruncher ap- 5 Between us, I insist that my nostrils are inflamed. (9) pears. (12) effort to bring together a vast amount in the area and would like to meet up of information about the history of the This book is far more than just a history for an event. 15 Most of us think that our boat is! (4,5) 7 Aristocratic seaboot? (10) International 12, especially its early of one design of boat. The development Contact : [email protected] 17 To find the number you will have to dig it up. (5) 8 Bouncing into a new season? (10) years in the UK. With many historical of small boat sailing in general across 18 Jottings involving a stone, (5) 11 The cut out switch you can never find when the motor photographs, the book clearly illustrates the UK and in Europe is brought to If you are interested in traditional wood- won’t start. Sounds as if someone is trying to suppress the what small boat sailing was like in the life through the personalities who were en boats, he recommends the Fête des information. (6,6) early part of the last century. The sec- its pioneers . It is fascinating to learn Canots event at Rolle on Lake Geneva, 19 Incorrect information given to the girl in class? (9) 13 This is the last thing we would want to be doing to our ond part of the book concentrates on a the history of many well-known clubs held during August each year. ship. (10) number of different boats, people and that adopted the boat. The book would 20 Best not to leave our tender in this state. (12) 14 Its armhole gives a line of constant temperature. (10) places involved with the development provide a good read to anyone with an 2020 Vision – 100 years of the Interna- 24 Used by a 12 W bulb in a 12 V system. (1,3) 16 Half finished game? (9) interest in the history of our pastime and tional 12 foot dinghy in the UK of the International 12. 25 More than tissue gives a typical Drascomber. (10) 21 Mixed chase often accompanied by pains. (5) is thoroughly recommended. Christmas Author Steve Crook has now passed but there are birthdays ISBN 9798696360072 and published 26 Lag a bit to find the fete. (4) 22 An epic for the elderly? (4) just around the corner ... through Amazon. 27 Near enough to touch the wind? (5,5) 23 A bit cheesed off & we have to scratch! (4)

20 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 21 Rally Reports Rally Reports

The voyage back to Chairsiveen was Brazen Pups a delight of dolphins and squadrons of low flying gannets rushing to roost on the little Skellig along with the 70,000 other gannets that call it home. The dolphins were almost an obstruction to our passage. We passed offshore of By Jack O’Keeffe Valentia Island and into the channel past Knightstown and upriver into Cahersiveen arriving as darkness fell. Despite the amount of exploration we did, we really only scratched the surface of what is there to be enjoyed - more unfinished business!

Six weeks after the event I was at Lough Hyne in West Cork and fell into conver- sation with two ladies in a VW camper Sailing for Port Magee John Tynan who were also there for the famous bio- Magee. The conditions demanded tak- anchor watch. This required setting an luminescence. Drascombe adventures ing the route down the sound instead anchor in 43m depth - I think this was into the Lough and elsewhere came up of out to the ocean, requiring passage the deepest ever for me. Lucky for me, and I mentioned our Skelling raid. “I under the non-opening road bridge, so John White returned from the shore raid am with the Office of Public Works and alentia Island is in the extreme the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) easy as I expected - but we spread out masts were lowered and reset in Port early and relieved me on anchor watch am based on Skellig Michael” said one Vsouthwest of Ireland surrounded barracks which looks like a transplant and combed the area to which we were Magee marina. The marina charges so I could get ashore and get to climb the of the ladies “And I have just published by the Atlantic Ocean and the mountain- of a castle from Tyrol. Here again we directed by those in the know and did were to be paid in a nearby pub, and 600 stone steps to the monastery which a book about my 19 years there”. I glad- ous Iveragh peninsula. The area has a were treated royally - reflected in a fine find the monument. After a couple of when I went to settle I saw that chowder is at 170m above the sea level. This was ly bought a copy from her and when I strong historical and archaeological her- discount for the tour and catering. hours relaxing we enjoyed the crossing was on offer so I enquired about the my third visit - and was the most special handed it to my wife Anne she opened itage dating from the Iron Age through to Valentia and into Knightsown in possibility of a chowder and a pint. I as I am more mature and appreciative of it and laughed….. Catherine Merrigan medieval and Victorian times to the 20th freshening wind, under jib and miz- was told if I wanted a pint I would have the wonders of the ancient works and of had written “You brazen pups!” on the century. This destination was inspired On the Saturday we set off for Begin- zen, and into the large floating harbour to pass through a curtain into the next nature than for previous visits. leaf. True...... Thank God. by curiosity about the archaeology and ish where there is a rare example of a there. Knightstown is very Victorian in room, but as I was dining I could drink opportunity of cooperation with the tra- Viking house - and enjoyed a lovely its architecture complete with a Royal in the bar. Restrictions in force did not See 2020 Gallery ditional boat rowing community from sail out to the sandy beach on the Hotel serving coffee in a very Victorian permit drink to be served openly other Cork - the latter’s participation did not island. Finding the house was not as setting. We were to overnight in Port than with a meal, but I can tell you prevail over COVID restrictions and clandestine Guinness is delicious. weather. The launch location was se- lected as Cahirsiveen (Sive’s town) ma- rina where we were warmly welcomed, On the Sunday morning there were as especially with COVID there was some tentative enquiries about landing not anything like the normal amount of on Skellig Michael island (home of pleasure craft comings and goings. The St Fionnan and of Luke Skywalker restrictions in force at the time allowed amongst others) which was closed to a limited restaurant service, so all in all visitors. Advice ranged from “No way” we were in a comfortable situation with to “Go for it” and as the sea was flat marina services on hand. we decided to proceed to the islands 10 nm distant, regardless. On the way out to the Skelligs Tyboat landed on On the Friday morning those crews Illaunloughan which has complex ec- who had already arrived chose to walk clesiastical ruins for such a tiny island. to Lackenabuaile and Cahergall stone The fleet motored in the calm, and when forts as the wind was too strong for safe we arrived at Skellig Michael there sailing. These circular dry stone forts were neither defenders nor warnings are fine examples of many we saw in of prosecution, so we agreed to take 2 the region over the next few days. On boats to the small quay leaving the rest the way back to the marina we toured The Monastry and Little Skellig of the fleet in a raft with yours truly on

22 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 23 Drascombe Adventures Drascombe Adventures Thirty Years of Luggering Do you suffer from Anchoring By Philip Evans guess my Luggering days began rath- Anxiety? – if so, look away now! I er inauspiciously on an early Decem- By John Fingland, Coaster Whimbrel ber day in 1985 on a tennis court at the London University Halls of residence in Bloomsbury – I was working nearby in Library Management. Knocking up before the match, a sudden pain in the chest. Two weeks in hospital , home Christmas Eve, Angioplasty early in 1986. Slow recovery and a decision to seek early retirement (in my 40’s!) and a move to Suffolk to be as near Pin Mill as possible, a long-held desire – and to take up Conservation work. This was achieved and the next step was to re- place the Vagabond dinghy with a day boat on a mooring, more appropriate to Ransome country. It was either to be a Devon or a Drascombe Lugger/ Longboat and the Lugger came up first, Tarka, renamed Truant, like the Vaga- bond. When living and working in Lon- don, plus caring for ailing parents, any sailing we managed to do at weekends or on holiday seemed a bit like playing Whimbrel anchored at Isleornsay by Andy Biggs truant from the realities of school. Truant, grp Lugger 725, was built in Truant well loaded near Bosham his summer I joined in for part of tidal stream in Kyle Rhea runs at up to could possibly go wrong? By now we about 1976 at Totnes, painted dark and had the family to himself. ancy aids, honest) on a lovely balmy Ta post lockdown summer cruise by 8 knots during spring tides and there can had decided that it was not going to be blue and antifouled, and ready to go. Prosper the Sea Dog was in his element day with light breezes. three Coasters in the Sound of Sleat, be dangerous overfalls at the southern possible to go anywhere until Wednes- We picked her up in 1988 just after – could not be kept away from the water, Since then most of our sailing has been which is the body of water separating end of Kyle Rhea if the south-going tid- day morning. As forecast, the wind Easter and had a summer learning both enjoying the sailing and the swimming locally on the Orwell and Stour. I have the south east of Skye from the main- al stream meets strong southerly winds. picked up through the evening and it Truant’s habits and the shallow waters out to the boat when moored. been able to make use of Gus’s pontoon land. My part of the cruise included We were through Kyle Rhea before the took me several attempts to sort out of the Orwell and Stour – and spending We had a pontoon mooring just off the at Pin Mill for easier access during the launching at Arisaig then sailing north wind started to pick up from the south slapping halyards and creaks from my time pottering at Pin Mill and good town quay, a perfect location even when summer (still very tidal of course, but to Armadale then further north to and the tidal stream accelerated from newly installed . With a forecast times in the Butt and Oyster. we were not sailing, just for fossicking that’s the beauty of Pin Mill.). Now Kyleakin before heading back south to the north. The sail to Isle Ornsay from of heavy rain on Tuesday I had rigged We were not intrepid sailors by any about. My wife did extra hours at the that age and health issues have rather Isle Ornsay then Armadale and back to Kyle Rhea was hard work – headwinds my cockpit tent. The Velcro attachment means, preferring pottering as a family care home where she worked to pay for intervened and Truant is all tucked up Arisaig, a track of around 75 nautical F4/F5 with stronger gusts. I was sailing for my tent and strength of my tent poles – Julia, me, our sons Thom and Chris the mooring. All in all a perfect, blissful on the drive and my buoyancy aid hung miles with the wind based mainly from with two reefs in the main and one third were fully challenged as the boat was – and Prosper the Golden Retriever three weeks. up with my rackets, awaiting a decision the south. to one half of my having com- buffeted by heavy gusts and horizontal Sea dog. We tried to have a week at The next year, emboldened by our abil- about her. Ideally I want to keep her in pletely furled my mizzen as we exited rain squalls throughout Monday night different mooring locations each year ity to tow the Lugger behind Mother-in- the family, having two very competent The focus of this article is an anchoring Kyle Rhea. Progress was assisted by a and much of Tuesday. – Slaughden Quay, Aldeburgh, and Law’s cast-off Volvo we towed Truant sons and at least one of these looks as incident at Isle Ornsay. We had arrived favourable tide, but this made the sea Waldringfield on the Deben. to Chichester Harbour for a family if he will be following the family tra- at the anchorage at Isle Ornsay on Mon- state quite choppy. We had a plan to break up the day on Our main holiday every year was weekend of sailing near Bosham. We dition. Trouble is he lives in Australia day afternoon after an early start from Tuesday by going ashore and having always to Salcombe, and in 1990 the had in earlier years attended with Truant –and there’s even been talk of shipping Kyleakin to reach the tidal gate at Kyle Following a trip ashore to stretch our lunch in the hotel bar which was sit- opportunity came to tow Truant down the Vagabond dinghy. The lugger was in Truant out there, where it seems Lug- Rhea in good time. We had been hoping legs (and support the local bar trade) we uated around 100 yards away from to Devon for a blissful three weeks great demand – used as a rescue boat on gers are like hen’s teeth. We shall see. to carry on to Plockton and beyond, but returned to the anchorage and settled in where we were anchored. That plan exploring the creeks and beaches and one stormy Saturday afternoon, and on the forecast was suggesting increasing for what promised to be a windy spell was abandoned as we had concerns that out to sea amid basking sharks. Thom, other occasions exploring the harbour winds from the south and we decided lasting around 24 hours. I was anchored setting out to row ashore in small light our eldest son had gone to with with a boatload of youngsters – once I we needed to be back through Kyle in shallow water with good holding, inflatables might end badly (offshore his girlfriend, but Chris came with us believe I had 11 aboard (all with buoy- Rhea before the weather arrived. The upwind of the main anchorage – what wind gusting F6+). There was nothing

24 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 25 Drascombe Adventures Drascombe Adventures else left to do but settle down with my Kindle. All was go- ing well until around high tide when my anchor broke free. I’m not sure when I would have noticed that I was drifting Why I sail a Dabber quickly downwind towards the other boats in the anchorage if I hadn’t been alerted by a shout from one of our group (a By Clive Heathmarsh well-known Forum correspondent from the West Highlands of Scotland). It was “all stations go” to get the anchor lifted and dumped on the foredeck and the cockpit tent dismantled to allow me to start the outboard and steer away from the moored boats.

I had plenty of time to reflect on what had gone wrong and what might have happened before we left the next morning. My basic mistake had been insufficient scope in the anchor chain and rope combination, probably compounded by the extra windage that my tent was creating. I’m usually very generous with how much chain and rope I use, aiming for 6 or 7:1 scope bow-to-bottom at high tide. With the benefit of hindsight, I think it was closer to 4:1 when the anchor lifted. My other mistake was not to set the anchor alarm function on my GPS (Garmin 76CSx). I don’t know how things would have worked out if I had broken free and dragged during the night when I was sleeping – actually I’m pretty sure I would have crashed into one of the boats in the anchorage or ended up pinned on the rocky lee shore around a mile downwind. was staying at the Coast Guard Cot- I asked this gentleman if he would like Dabber lived for some time near the I tage on Wembury Point on the River to come for a sail and he said he would Yealm. Dabbers are 15’6’’ in length On a previous solo cruise, I had taken shelter from F6+ con- Yealm (pronounced Yam by the locals). in a few days so I set about the on deck and considerably longer over ditions in the Inner Sound by making my way to the The only practical way to get there from boat. With half the sails and rigging spars since they have both a bow sprit of Loch Toscaig (north east of the Crowlin Islands). The Newton Ferrers, where I parked the car, missing I expected we would need and a bumpkin. The bumpkin is needed anchorage was out of the swell but the wind from the north was to row to the cottage’s little jetty. the oars. However, I was pleasantly to get the sheeting angle on the boom- funnelled through the hills and was very gusty. On that oc- This was, of course, fun on a fine day surprised. less mizzen sail. She has two masts, a casion I anchored pretty close to the low tide with my but one needed to take some care when main and mizzen. The mizzen mast is main anchor (Kobra 6kg) and my spare anchor (Fortress 2kg) the tide was running when weaving about 2’’ forward of the stock both set separately with a scope of >7:1 (at high tide) and set between the moored . Like most Our sailing day came and we set out so I would call her a but I note around 30 degrees apart. Also, I kept my sprayhood down rivers and creeks on the South Coast the down the Yealm towards the sea easily that many people call her a yawl. The and did not deploy my cockpit tent. I set the anchor watch on Yealm has become a boat park. negotiating the narrow spaces left by mizzen sail stretches out to the bump- my GPS and slept soundly despite the wind noise. This will the moored yachts. This boat with only kin and the jib is also mainly outboard be my default set up if I’m anchoring in windy conditions in its reduced rig was a pleasure to sail. to the bow sprit. So when sailing with the future – whether or not I sleep well has yet to be tested! My tender could get a little crowded We crossed the partially covered bar just jib and mizzen much of the boat’s with four people and their luggage so I with our plate up leaving a grounded 15’6’’ is clear of sail clutter making a normally made two trips. On one occa- yacht waiting for the flood to float off. good space for the crew. She can be sion with six of us I was ferrying back The weather was fine with a comfort- sailed with all three sails up, just jib and forth most of the day. I noticed that able force 2 to 3 breeze. Perfect sailing and mizzen, just main, with main and a resident in another cottage had a more weather for me. Plate lowered out in the mizzen or main and jib. It is good fun substantial tender and on closer inspec- bay, we made our way over towards the experimenting with different sail plans tion I could see it was a Drascombe Great Mew Stone and then headed out and also seeing how the mizzen can be Dabber with no rig, just a pair of oars. to sea. It was a fine day and the Royal used to aid tacking. There is no boom on I got chatting with the owner who told Navy were coming and going from the main sail which is a standing me that he had never sailed the boat but Devonport which, I believe, is still the so controlled gybing is easy. When in that there were bits of rigging left in the largest naval port in Western Europe. the open sea she sails herself very well boat shed. Upon inspection we found Before long it was time to head back to under just jib and mizzen, a useful plan a mast, spar, mainsail, rigging, rudder, base and I decided there and then that I when fishing or taking lunch. and mainsheet with a few blocks. would buy a Dabber. Missing were the jib, the mizzen mast and mizzen sail. Although a beamy boat above the water John Watkinson who designed the line, the hull shape is almost that of a John Sailing Whimbrel heading south through Kyle Rhea by Penny Excell

26 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 27 Drascombe Adventures Drascombe Adventures

ings that the wheels can be dunked. If have moved the forestay to the end of some refreshment. they are then you will need to get the the bow sprit with a chain from the end By now the tide is on the ebb and I will bearings checked and with these types of the bow sprit to the tow eye. I don’t take it back to the slipway at Rye Har- of bearings most of us will have to like this because if one were to lose the bour. With a favourable tide the motor take the trailer to a professional since vulnerable bow sprit in a collision then is not normally needed just a little sail. special equipment is required. This is the mast would come falling down. I normally use just the mainsail in the different to tapered bearings found on So, I have left all alone as is but have river and find this useful enough to other trailers which are easily changes helped reduce jib sheet snagging by a negotiate with other traffic. by the owner. So, get a swing back but roller tube over the forestay and also don’t immerse the road wheels if you using a continuous knot for the sheets/ can avoid it. jib. It rarely catches and if it does I can I will call the tractor man before I reach easily flick it off. the slip and then just row onto the wait- ing trailer. Rowing is more accurate and One other important thing required on dynamic than the motor. If the tractor a is the towing eye on the A typical day with my Dabber will man is not available then I will need to boat. You want to be able to winch the involve a launch at the slipway at tie up alongside the jetty and collect my boat up onto the trailer using reasonable Rye preferably not on a strong spring vehicle. Reversing a trailer with no boat force. Not so much force as to pull the tide. When the worst of the flood has on top down a slip can be very difficult tow eye out, but enough to pull her up calmed I will make way down river to because one can’t see the trailer all the over the rollers. On both my Dabbers Rye Bay. By the way, the flood tide at time. To get over this I have fitted a re- this tow eye was a part of the bronze Rye is, unusually, stronger than the ebb movable front tow bar which makes the rubbing strip on the bow bent out so as which is different to most other rivers whole operation a doddle. It is illegal to to take the tow hook. It wore over time in the UK. Fishing vessels departing drive on the road with a front tow bar and did not look strong enough. It didn’t may cause large standing waves. Out fitted but it is possible to have the type actually break because I took extreme in the bay I may sail towards Fairlight that can easily be removed for road use. care and got my bearings wet to lessen and if conditions are less than force 4 the pull. However, a chum on the East I will usually have all 3 sails up. After Coast had one break whilst winching a little time I might start the motor and If I have passengers then I need to and with no painter on hand the boat sail back into the river. I tend to keep ensure that comfort breaks and fluid went drifting away. So I decided to the motor running when entering the balances are catered for. I also ensure Clive’s Dabber ready to sail. replace the damaged eye with a more river in case I lose the wind under the that I can handle the boat single hand- conventional and stronger stainless eye high wall. Also, there is a fair amount ed, which is so easy on a Dabber. As double ender so she slips through the Dabbers are intended for inshore, capable expert hands. On one occasion with backing plate. I thought this was of commercial traffic including coastal well as personal buoyancy, I show the water with little wake. She is also very coastal and estuary work such as fish- an intrepid Dabber sailor was spotted going to be a quick job that I could do vessels. Harbour warning lights will passengers how to use the VHF, steer, easy to row and holds a course once you ing or taking the family for a relaxed in Rye Bay on passage from Chichester but in the end decided to use a pro- indicate when you may not enter or handle a sail, row and operate the motor. have got her moving. There is an out- non threatening sail. They are close to Germany. He got there. Not for me fessional. However, the finished job leave the river and I keep tuned in to They will appreciate this and will want board semi-well and I just use a 2.3hp enough winded for the sort of coastal because I am a fair weather sailor these enabled me to recover the boat with channel 14. to come again. four stroke for picking up moorings etc. sailing I do. They are stable boats and days but when sailing out in the bay it is confidence. and maybe use half a pint of fuel per one would have to be very unlucky to good to know you are in a capable boat. year. The 2.3hp four-stroke is air cooled capsize one. Indeed I have never felt any Once safely in the river if the wind is All in all, I think the Dabber is about as and has just a forward gear with no neu- capsize threat from the wind although When sailing the Dabber you might find set right I will turn off the motor and near a perfect boat for its intended use tral. I realise that many Dabber owners there have been occasions in short steep Most Dabbers are used as trailer sailers that the jib sheets catch on the forestay. sail up to the ancient town which is a that one could hope to find. like a motor which also has neutral and seas when I have had to take care and and in this regard it is essential not to This is because the jib goes out to the few miles upstream. Heading up Rock reverse but I like simplicity and light time my tacks to avoid broaching. They scrimp on the trailer. You don’t want end of a bow sprit which is ahead of the Channel there is normally a space to tie weight. Because Dabbers row so well are open boats and need to be sailed any hassle on the highway and you forestay. To get over this some owners up and take a few moments ashore for one rarely needs a motor, unlike small with that in mind. Having said that, the need to be able to launch and recover pocket cruisers which do row not easily. side bench/decks do drain a reasonable easily. I invested in a swinging cradle amount of spray through scupper holes trailer which enables the boat to be and with a cockpit cover Dabbers can launched and recovered under most She is, in many ways, a very different be left afloat on moorings. conditions without the need to immerse boat to her sister the Drascombe Lug- the bearings. Once bearings are dunked ger which has a deep forefoot, flattish then they should be removed, cleaned rear end and a deep rudder similar to Although Dabbers are intended for and greased. You don’t want to do this the Yorkshire Cobles. The Dabber has coastal/inshore day sailing like their every time you go sailing. My swing a hung rudder which makes sister boat the Lugger they have un- back is excellent but don’t assume that beaching easy. dertaken longer passages when in because it has ‘sealed for life’ bear-

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true fun is on the water, in wind with a and unwanted teenagers. We wondered metres behind him, I saw a fin with a Experiences of growing family. And the assurance that what could’ve happened if we had still chunk missing from the back submerge no jelly fish will jump into the cockpit, been asleep in our tents on the trampled itself in the water and within seconds makes this the perfect family home grass - but it soon went to the back of the silhouette of the belly of a dolphin away from home. our minds as we tucked into our our looked up at Joe’s toes. In panic Joe Owning a Drifter beans on toast and a cup of tea. leaped over the back of the boat, like a Extract from Oscar: As the sun burnt away the morning mist, salmon leaping out of the Blackwater. we headed to the beach to eat lunch with Catching his breath we watched the fin Jellyfish were not the only sea monster the other Drascombers who had just re-emerge a few metres from the boat to worry about. During the Baltimore arrived for the motley crew picnic that and then disappear below the water. rally in 2016, a friend Joe had joined everyone will know well. After lunch, us for the week. Getting too big to be Joe and myself - inspired by the others That night in BushesBar, we heard a sleeping on the “full size bunks” as - took advantage of the sunshine and few old wise tales about the dolphin Dad calls them, we were castaway to decided to swim out to Amity. Reaching with the damaged fin that had been camp on Skeam East, an island just the back of the Drifter I climbed the spotted around Baltimore a few times, outside the mouth of Roaringwater ladder - if anyone knows the film Open bumping into swimmers and playing bay. After a night’s rest, we packed up Water 2: Adrift, this is what trying to get with boats. Supping down the well and paddled back to the anchored Amity into a Drifter without a ladder feels like. -deserved pint, we looked out across the from the beach - narrowly avoiding the As I climbed in, the parents pointed out bay, happy to have survived another day trample of the local cattle through our a dolphin fin cutting through the water of the notorious Baltimore Drascombe camping spot. It seemed the only ones behind us. Standing on board, I turned rally and thankful for those high free- By Ray Crowley and being castaway on Skeam were cattle around to give Joe my hand. About 2 boards of the indestructible Amity. Oscar Bradley

Ray sailing Amity back from Cape Clear by Andy Biggs

We aim to bring a number of articles in the future, about owning and sailing a Drifter. In this piece Ray and Oscar share some of their experiences.

hen Andy contacted me to write a jump, but when you’re surrounded by ing from your bed the morning after a Wfew words on owning a Drifter, I a large bloom, far from land, in a small Drascombe rally party adds further to struggled to recall my initial inspiration boat, anything is possible….hardened its appeal. for buying one. Then I remembered jel- sailors spoke of sea monsters… Putting all these primary advantages ly fish. Those who have had the pleasure aside, I suppose I should get down to to sail the south coast of Ireland in the So, when I came across a Drifter sailed how Drifters sail. In my experience, the summer months, will have come across by Eden Fowler on a Jack O’Keeffe bigger the boat the more forgiving it is, a jelly fish bloom. It’s always intrigued post- Baltimore sail back to Cork, I and this is true also for the Drifter. The me why it called a bloom, seeing that knew it was the boat for us. Drifters, bilge make it perfect for beaching they are not flowers, but who knows? being larger, stand proud on the water. (planned or not), the freeboard height By now you may be wondering where Their higher freeboard must have been ensures less water in the cockpit, its I am going with this little Irish ramble, designed with jumping jelly fish in weight keeps it more upright to capture but my first experience of Dracombes mind… Secondary to this especially the wind, and together these allow for and the association, came as the result important feature is the room, best a pleasurable sail, even in the heavy of the excited purchase of a Long Boat described as luxurious for the average swells of south Ireland. Cruiser in the early 00’s. One consider- family. With a comfortable double However, there are downsides. Its ation I had overlooked in the purchase room, en-suite, functional kitchen, and weight makes it more challenging to was my daughter’s fear of jellyfish, and two additional full-size bunks in the tow, launch and recover. The bilge keels their ability to jump out of the water into cockpit, Drifters are perfect for the make it less responsive at low speed. Ray and Oscar on their Drifter Amity by Penny Excell a boat. Now we know jellyfish don’t family of four. The advantage of cook- But these are small things when the

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a bit limited and I quickly realised we would need a chemical toilet - it’s not Drascombe Cruising worth being rushed from the anchorage on a beautiful still morning to get to the with a family nearest facilities. The Thetford Porta- Potti 335, and Elsan blue is just perfect for the job, disposal not being an issue, since after an overnight we don’t stray far for long, getting to public toilets or By Ronan Kenneally a B&B to empty before the day is out. One thing I must acquire though is one of the neat storage bags, since walking through a village centre carrying a white holding tank is not the best look. Other equipment I need for the children is tender and paddles (FunYak Palourde), fishing gear and vital nap facilities for our baby. The fully cushioned Coaster cabin is excellent for this, giving her a Mummy and 4 junior cruisers warm little cocoon while either beached or in shallow water – the key being cruising myself, the ease of handling a moving vehicles being a grave danger that she is insulated from the noise of Coaster, including launch and recovery, for small children and the biggest draw us nearby. means we get a lot of use from the boat , on the parents’ nervous capacities. We even on days when the RIBs are tied up tend to avoid longer cruises and try to It seems the children are learning little at the pontoon due to lack of sunshine. ensure we are never too far from land, bits about boating, fishing, rowing etc. Our extended trips can last up to three but this is not an issue around West Cork On the other hand, our boat has quite days (usually with a B&B night or two / Kerry where we have spent the bulk of practical day-to-day uses, far from the for the girls) with the men sleeping on our time to date. As anyone with small board nearby. When all six are over- children will know, our days tend to re- nighting on board, myself and the eldest volve around mealtimes. We keep a gas child sleep on deck under cover of the camping stove (CampingGaz) and some Fishing in Cork Harbour. tent which connects to our sprayhood disposable BBQs on board, along with and the others “down below”. One of a Halfords brand “cooler box”, which I In DAN 135 we shared some photos of Ronan with his family on their Coaster. the pictures below shows mother and power from the 12V socket, charged by Here he shares his thoughts about how a family of six can enjoy sailing togerher. some tired Drascombers. Obviously, we the engine. The engine itself is probably are a bit more sensitive to weather than used more than it ought, and the first most and we find a key to successful thing I did when I got the boat was sell he idea of cruising on a Drascombe with Julie, and though I suspect most and despite being small, they all manage trips is choosing an adequate weather the second hand 6HP and replace it with TCoaster with four small children is remain unwatched, they did provide a to lay claim to a little area to draw, read, window. I tend to take all my annual a brand new Honda of the same output – something most people laugh at – but start to our cruising notions. I was inter- sleep, or hide out. Sometimes they take leave in July/August, so I can pick reliable propulsion being something we Borderer is more than capable of taking ested in the Drascombe and was given control of the VHF receiver, which can and choose the pleasant spells. Given can’t compromise on. Safety wise, the us to many beaches, harbours and other Jack’s number by the owner of a Long- be embarrassing while rallies are under- a clear forecast, I will usually head off younger ones have collared buoyancy fun spots that only boats such as ours boat Cruiser. Once I had made contact way and the unit is switched on. Out on the evening before with my eldest boy, aids, though you can’t really leave them drive the 2 hours or so to West Cork or far from your reach while on the water. can reach. Really, our only priority is and had been shown around Tyboat deck the prospect of getting involved is Preparing Breakfast to have the children somewhere they outside Jack’s house, I started thinking. what interests them most, be it steering, Kerry, launch and have the boat ready This phase passes though, our older to pick up the remaining crew once they ones being comfortable walking up the can run around, swim and explore so Jack sent me off with a few old copies of fishing, pushing the bilge pump or just beaches and countryside. The boat can arrive the next morning. Obviously, we bow and often jumping off – though it doesn’t take much to keep us happy. DAN, and after thumbing through the trailing hands in the moving water. For be useful in the urban setting in which still encounter the odd rainy day, which we are trying to encourage them to While we do live close to the water, I pages, I decided the Coaster was for us, a child, it seems the relatively short we live, situated in a large harbour as we will usually spend ashore in wellies swim more without the buoyancy aids. had never been aware of the unique ex- given the flexibility of trailering, easy freeboard (assuming you are leaning Cork is. We often use the boat to take a and jackets. I carry the small baby in I also keep a “grab bag” on board with periences “dinghy cruising” had to offer. storage and the capacity for the children over the side) on the Coaster provides trip into Cork City for various reasons, the rucksack (Karrimor LittleLife), flares etc. This is even more shameful when you to hide away from the elements while the ultimate raw sailing experience. avoiding the drudgery of having the taking in a walk or a playground visit. The main activities include long beach consider we live close to Jack O’Keeffe underway. It seems that small people children in the car, strapped into the Accessing a village or area by sea is a days, enhanced by our Coaster’s ability and are members of the same sailing find the cabin to be their own secret den, In practical terms, the boat has housed child seats. The older two will come on great way to ensure you are kept away to store buckets, spades, spare jumpers Club. Inspired by some of the Roger cramped, dark and exciting, the faces the whole family overnight on a few these trips and it can be fun to sail past from the worst aspects of modern life – and changes of clothes. We used to be Barnes YouTube videos, I shared a few take in the views from narrow windows occasions. Even though I’m new to the ships and to motor up the river to

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Cruise of a Twelve Foot Dinghy

from Lago Maggiore to and beyond By Sandro Picchio

n August 7th 1960 two brothers in Itheir early twenties left Bruschera (location near Angera on the East coast of Lago Maggiore in Northern Italy) in a 12’ clinker dinghy, wooden of course, featuring oars, sail and a small , aiming to reach Venice through the river Ticino, medieval canals Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese, again river Ticino, river Po, river Po di Levante, Canale Po-Brondolo, Canale di Valle, Venetian Lagoon. In the Ticino, near Vizzola and the power stations, some locks were out of commission and Arriving ashore on Heir Island had to be bypassed on the road trailer with Dad’s car. The boat was relaunched the city centre marina. I tie the boat up for an hour or so, to over themselves and leaving us ashore. We also hope that in the Naviglio Grande canal where it run some contrived errand or visit to McDonalds. Another our ham-fisted efforts won’t alienate the children from sail- branches from the river. “job” we can do is to pick up meat from the butchers in a ing entirely. It’s true to say though, that our time with the The Naviglio Grande is a waterway neighbouring town on a Saturday morning, which is a quick Drascombe has been the highlight of every season so far, connecting the river Ticino to Milan. 4k jaunt in the Coaster, usually under motor. We will face giving us cheap and easy access to a lot of what the summer Its first construction dates back to 1200. Camping on the River Po a challenge as the children get older, when we will either be has to offer. Until the arrival of the railway it was gave no guarantee of a safe delivering. The surroundings were always varied: driven to a bigger boat, or maybe they will insist on taking used for trading goods to and from woods, fields, hamlets, arched bridges, Milan through the river Ticino and lake Still in the late seventies in the Darsena trees shadowing the canal, also a few Racing the Cape Clear Ferry on a “soft” day. Maggiore up to Locarno in Switzerland I could see barges unloading sand and great ancient mansions from the 1700s and to Europe. All the marble used for gravel coming from Ticino quarries for and 1800s with jetties. In summer the building the Duomo, Milan cathedral, the construction business. wealthy Milanese nobles escaped the was quarried in Candoglia, near the lake hot city and reached their villas in the and transported by barge. An extension In all the Naviglio Grande route there fast and comfortable mode by boat on canal, now filled, carried the heavy are no locks, due to the average slight the Naviglio Grande. The swift current marble blocks from the ancient Milan slope. However this is enough for caus- took our two dinghy sailors to Milan in downtown dock Darsena to the very ing a substantial current. The boat pro- a few hours. They had a short stop in the centre near the Duomo construction ceeded with us rowing, at a speed rela- Darsena, tried phoning some friends to site. The stretch on the lake was covered tive to the water that was just enough for see them off but nobody was in town in by barges with a tall and narrow square steering and keeping her in the middle August, so they left, entering the Navi- sail taking advantage of our lake’s of the canal, but the speed over ground glio Pavese, connecting Milan to Pavia. “trade winds” pushing boats Southward was considerable. Of course the mast in the morning and Northward in the was not rigged. The side walls, smooth The landscape here is flat fields with afternoon in settled weather. To sail the and without any handhold, skimmed some distant farmhouses. The first river and naviglio, goods were shifted away fast, causing some worry: had an overnight stay was at Casarile, moored to barges going South with the current unexpected obstacle turned up, such as at dusk to a wall that in the morning and North towed by men or horses and a tree wedged under a bridge, we would light turned out to be the cemetery wall. later by tractor. The stretch on the Ticino have had no means of slowing down The locks towards Pavia were duly was dangerous; the boatmen by contract and stopping. passed. As the passage of a boat was

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After a few days, at Volta Grimana, at instead. the beginning of the Po delta, they en- They looked for a quiet place, loosely tered the Po di Levante, which branches moored the boat to one of the thousand from the main river pointing North, poles flanking the water doors of houses then Canale Po-Brondolo, two locks for and went to sleep. The mooring poles crossing the river Adige, then Canale allow boats to rise and fall with the half di Valle that flows into the south end of metre or so of tide. Next day, exiting the Venetian Lagoon at Chioggia. In the the Lagoon through Porto di Lido, they Lagoon, sailing towards Venice along- started a stretch in the sea, aimed to side the inshore coast of the narrow and Caorle, final destination of the voyage. long islands of Pellestrina and Lido that separate the Lagoon from the open sea, Due to weather deteriorating, they en- they rigged the mast, hoisted the sail, tered inland by Porto di Piave Vecchia and could for the first time wash their and took the inner waterway: river Sile, face and shave with the brackish water, Canale Cavetta, river Piave, Canale because the river Po water was, at that Revedoli, Canale Commessera, Canale time, terribly polluted. dell’Orologio, parallel to the coast until Caorle. Arriving in Venice downtown in the darkness, crossing Bacino San Marco After a week of diet the two were look- A lock in Naviglio Pavese among fast motor boats that darted ing forward for a gargantuan fish meal could fit under, even if by a close shave. in the traffic from every direction, the around a summer outdoor fish restau- sailors worried a good deal but there rant run by acquaintances. Arriving in The drill for passing pontoon bridges: were no mishaps. They reached the Caorle, after finding the friends and in good time with the motor running, town shore, entered one of the narrow calling home - no cell phones then -, the head upstream, and open the throttle canals between houses called a rio and longed-for moment came for making until the boat equals the current speed soon learned that crossing another boat up for the days of strict diet, but after and is not moving over ground. Then in a rio you must keep the left side. a couple of little fish they felt full and close the throttle just a little, letting the This routine was decreed because of could not carry on. a very uncommon occurrence, at each instead the shore is a sandy beach, very groves, some anglers on the banks. boat slowly reverse towards the bridge, the following : gondola and other boats The way back to Lago Maggiore took lock the two sailors, in turn, felt the wide, almost slope-less and the shallow All villages are far backward from the pointing to the gap between two pon- boatmen proceed with a single oar place by road with a trailer, covering in obligation of offering a glass of wine to current is almost zero; in the stretches river, concealed by the tall levees, over toon boats, until you can grab one by always underwater on starboard, sort a few hours the distance that had taken, the lock man, called to work from his between two opposite bends there is which only the rising bell tower tops hand. Then the motor can be stopped of sculling. When passing starboard by boat, a full week. perennial ease, of course keeping him a flat shallow area where, in seasons can be seen. and, stooping, move under the wooden to starboard, each oar passes under the company; I don’t remember the number when water is low, stones and current road deck and linger there, enjoying a hull of the other boat. Passing port-to- THE BOAT of locks and related glasses, but they give place to rapids. Arriving from up- Sailing in the Po, notwithstanding the few minutes of shade before exiting port, each oar would foul the side wall The boat was a clinker 12’ standing lug were many. At Pavia a bad surprise: the stream the presence of a rapid cannot be complete lack of river experience of again from the downstream side in the fourth lock from the merger in Ticino seen, but its noise can be heard. Then the crew, proceeded without incidents. scorching sun light. is broken. A road trailer was borrowed one starts sounding dipping an oar or a One just had to keep the boat in the from a garage, all the gear was unloaded boathook alongside, pointing it ahead, main stream, close to the outer higher Every night, when eventually there was from the boat to the quay, the boat was touching the bottom and retrieving it bank, using oars or idling motor to get not enough light for finding the way hauled ashore and loaded on the trailer; abaft. From Cremona to the mouth the five knots over ground with minimal between river bends and shallows, they all the gear was reloaded on board and river is accessible to working barges. A effort. Red and white signs on the banks hauled the boat onshore, shipped the the trailer towed by hand until a ramp canal for barges from Cremona to Milan indicate to draw near the bank or to mast, rigged a Mum-made tent cover- beyond the obstacle. Then all the oper- has been considered and designed in the keep clear and mark the bridge span ing the whole boat, cooked a plentiful ations were repeated in reverse order nineteen sixties but then the project was to be sailed under. The distance from pastasciutta on the paraffin stove on the and the trailer returned to the garage. abandoned. Since 1929 a famous yearly civilisation caused some issue in the beach and had dinner, surrounded by a motor boat race takes place on the river, restock of drinking water. cloud of mosquitos that came close but After the launch and a few kilometres the Raid Pavia-Venezia. Four hundred At the changing of the bend, crossing did not land. Then they rested after the on Ticino, they entered the stream of the kilometres run at mad speed in about the river from one side to the other many hours of relentless sun light. In river Po. The Po, as all rivers flowing two hours. Since the year 2000 in three seeking the faster current, if water got the morning they struck camp, launched in a plain country, is meandering in a occasions the raid was cancelled for too shallow the crew jumped out and the boat and away they went. Probably sequence of wide bends. On the outer lack of water depth. From the sightsee- accompanied the lightened boat by nowadays on the river many wild birds side of the bend water is deep, current ing point of view, cruising the river Po hand, wading on the stony bottom. At can be seen that at the voyage time were swift, and the bank is high and steep, in is rather monotonous. One can only see that time four or five pontoon bridges very rare. ceaseless slow erosion; on the inner side the farmed flood plains and the poplar bridged over the Po: luckily the boat Chioggia. Many working sails could still be seen at that time

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November 1993 Small Boat Adventure & Personal Development South East Asia

By Neil Parks .

Luggers crewed by Outward Bound trainees off Tai Long Wan, Hong Kong here was a of excitement: we finish the following afternoon, close the breeze increased and had swung Tknew the faint green line which had to the ’s anchorage, our HQ. directly onshore. To the uninitiated or at last become visible on the horizon Following a briefing, an introduction to unwary, once outside the reef, there to be the tops of palm trees. Above, a the boats (a Drascombe Lugger and two is little indication of the presence of The two brothers in 2017 rich blue sky, and scattered, but vast, Dabbers), stowing of gear and some the long, low oceanic swells, forcibly dinghy, still in our ownership, a model designed in 1911 by pump that allowed refueling the motor inbuilt tank through dazzling white cumulonimbus. Distinct sailing input - involving squiggled lines present around islands situated in the the Briton George Cockshott, very practical, likely designed a thin hose without any spilling. Two 20 litre petrol tanks, as ever, the rush of spray deflected by in the sand and bits of driftwood - to middle of a vast expanse of sea. Nor as tender to big yachts (it has two galvanized chain lifting some two-stroke oil, a small funnel and measuring cups for the steeply raked bows as the vessel add to what had already been gleaned from this perspective is it evident eyes for using davits). Loading capacity, lightness, simplicity mixing the fuel. Safety equipment: none. surged forward through the gentle during the South China Sea crossing, that they suddenly heap up and break of rigging, steadiness, ability to really travel under oars, boat For navigation: swell beneath us. My group of twelve we were good to go. The three boats upon the reef: quite in contrast to the sufficiently “dry”, manageable even by a single young boy, Touring Club Italiano’s road atlas, scale 1 : 200.000, sheets trainees and I stood on the foredeck of rowed from the beautiful, palm fringed impressive spectacle this provides spars not exceeding the hull length, are the best features of 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9, which surprisingly proved very accurate a forty two metre brigantine, nearing the white sandy beach under a hot sun in when viewed from the safety of the this design. No modern boat of this size, although faster under also regarding water shoreline. A 6x36 binocular. Some end of a four day crossing of the South almost calm conditions. With some beach. This was uppermost in my mind sail, can be compared with it for practicality. It has been an random information, obtained from Naviglio Grande and China Sea. We had embarked on an occasional nudging from me at the helm as it became clear that two of the crews Olympic Class in the ‘twenties. In Italy it is very popular, it Po bargemen. eighteen day programme of adventure of the Avon support craft, the three boats were having difficulty sailing upwind, is now built in GRP, there is a lively Owner Association that For camping: and discovery, taking place at sea and on picked their way through the gap in and thereby failing to move safely out to organizes many races. The tent as above, blankets, a Svea paraffin stove with a the northern Philippine island of Luzon. the reef indicated on our chart, which sea and away from the reef. One Dabber homemade wind shield. A tank of paraffin. A bottle of spirit we’d located earlier on our way in to the however, was doing quite well and Equipment: needed for starting the stove. Matches. A pot, two soup bowls, Once ashore, the plan was to embark on beach by kayak. In water as beautifully tacked to and fro, holding its position a The outboard motor was a Johnson 5 HP SeaHorse, several two forks, (as knifes, the pocket jackknives). Food stores: a week-long expedition which would clear as this, the brightly coloured couple of hundred metres off, waiting years old. The sailing rig was standard. A fisherman anchor, spaghetti, olive oil, various cans (tomato, meat, sardines etc.). include hiking, river and sea kayaking, coral and fish, and the sea bed, were for the others to follow. Responding to with its rope scope, a stern line and a few more spare lines. A tank of drinking water. Must-have: sun hats and mosquito and small boat sailing. Three watches so attractive as to risk being a visual my input, offered as I puttered along A paraffin lamp. Some tools in addition to the motor’s tool- repellent stick. of twelve persons, each with their distraction to the job in hand. Abruptly beside them, the crew of the second kit and a small hooked axe. Some spares for the motor. A instructor, would rendezvous every though, you arrive in deep water where Dabber started to get the hang of military 20 litre canister with a motorscooter’s (short!) tyre second or third afternoon, swop their turquoise gives way to fathomless dark holding the boat close hauled and was means of transport and associated marine. The crews had been strongly able to join its twin further out to sea. Editor’s Note equipment, and continue, spending advised as to the caution required when Sandro also owns a Dabber and he shares his experienc- es testing this in DAN 134 another couple of nights out before operating in the vicinity of reefs. My attention now turned to the Lugger exchanging their gear once more for whose crew appeared, outwardly at A Google search for George Cockshott will show he was the next activity. This would continue Once we were about three hundred least, calm, though without it seemed, born in Preston and will also bring up many photographs until eevery watch had participated in metres to seaward of the reef, a gentle the foggiest notion about how to of the 12 foot dinghy he designed. Also a book about the each activity. My group, having first breeze picked up. Oars were shipped proceed. So much for all the note taking history of the boat has just been published: 2020 Vision: hiked inland, then kayaked down a river and smartly, up went nine tanbark sails. and head nodding earlier on the beach 100 years of the International 12-foot Dinghy in the United followed by some coastal paddling, I buzzed from boat to boat, offering - not to mention the five days spent Kingdom by Steve Crook., which is reviewed in this issue met up with the two other groups at tips and coaching; mainly on upwind crewing the square rigger (though in of DAN. a location where we could receive sailing, trimming and the no go zone fairness, the 450nm crossing was done the dinghys. There, we prepared for - to some effect. With the land now in a single beam reach). While I had The 12 foot dinghy today the final leg of the trip which would warming beneath a strong tropical sun, been coaching the Dabber, the Lugger

38 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 39 Drascombe Adventures Drascombe Adventures

By now, the Lugger with sails nicely the reef. uncontrived adventure in a fantastic of safety in adventure education, is trimmed, wind on the beam, was making and exotic setting. Immersion in an something which needs to be carefully a good five knots, its crew seemingly Of the two Dabbers, nothing. The search experience rich in emotion with considered before embarking on a more in command. The coastline and was called off towards two o’clock exposure to the nuts and bolts of problem program. reef now bore away to the right of us, in the morning. The banca dropped solving, teamworking and leadership: to the north east, so becoming less of a me back at HQ. After reporting to the communication - in its myriad of Personally, this was a terrific experience hazard. Notwithstanding our separation Captain I wasted no time in getting my forms - decision making, prioritizing, which despite its stressful moments, from the Dabbers, the situation now head down. Very worried though I was, compromise, experimentation, relating I nevertheless actually relished at felt less intense and I began to relax a sleep nevertheless quickly overtook to others, risk taking, discomfort, the time. It provides me with good bit. Then the outboard died again. With me. On arriving on deck, the dawn encouragement, conflict, cooperation, memories to this day. I am very fortunate some despair, I watched as the final light revealed a cluster of red flysheets failure, success…et al. that all turned out well. A review of boat of our little flotilla disappeared strung from palms by the waters edge, the journey with the twelve participants, off into the dusk, leaving me to tinker not a kilometre distant from the ship’s To make meaningful connections and their subsequent written feedback, once again with the engine. The motor anchored position. It appeared that the between the adventure and real, day-to- indicated clearly that they found the restored and nightfall imminent, I Dabbers had made landfall almost to day life, the experience cannot simply trip to be personally enriching and a had the choice of searching for the letter of the plan we had made together be left to speak for itself. Participative valuable life experience: an experience Drascombes - now possibly well the previous afternoon. They too, like review and a sharing of views of undoubtedly intensified by the degree scattered - alone, or enlisting the help the Lugger’s crew, were camped on the the experience by trainees and staff, of self sufficiency, autonomy, and risk Banca, principle form of transport and fishing craft in Lingayen Gulf. of HQ. I decided on the latter. With the beach and, we learned, had had the good during, and more particularly, after they faced. And that I can apply equally had drifted towards the reef. At the point or so to a position where they were hope that the boats had made it safely fortune of meeting some fishermen, the event, can help to identify what of to myself. where I rejoined it, the breaking swells able to bear away and steer a course inside the reef, I knew however that who having come to investigate these their adventure experience might be had become audible. I estimated the reef parallel to the coastline.Meanwhile, for me to navigate thereabouts for any strange craft arriving at night close relevant and significant to their day What could have been done was about fifty metres downwind of our the two Dabbers were by now mere distance would not be practical with the by their village, had invited them to a to day lives. This reflection helps the differently? position. I threw them a tow line which specks on the horizon. Evidently outboard motor due to shallows. barbeque. experience move beyond merely a set of they ran through a fairlead and turned they had taken it upon themselves to circumstances and their accompanying Reduction of the number of activities, a couple of times around the foremast. go it alone, perhaps prompted by the Towards 22h00 I approached the Postscipt: emotions, to a point where learning or allocation of more skill input time No problem to pull them away from the lateness of the hour; there were but a brigantine at its anchorage, wondering Writing this up today, twenty seven takes place and the whole entity of to allow participants to acquire an reef, or so I thought, until the outboard couple of hours of daylight remaining. how the Captain would react to the news years after the event from notes made the voyage becomes educational and a acceptable level of competence before sputtered and failed. Fuel supply? Prop Between them, they had the only chart that I had - that most Cardinal of sins - at the time, the question arises; should catalyst for - the primary objective of embarking on the trip. tangled? Intake clear? No time to do a we possessed. Fortunately, our plan was lost my group. He was very good about the planning and execution of the above the program at the outset - personal Small boat sail training could have thorough check as we were drifting, in simple enough. Earlier on the beach, it, and sought the help of some locals have happened differently? By todays development. taken place in protected deep water tandem, quickly towards the breakers we had all gathered together around the with whom we had become acquainted formal outdoor activity standards, it before venturing around the reefs. heaping themselves with a worrying chart to examine the route. This would during previous visits. With surprising will appear we were flying too close to It can be argued that the more any given Knowing that sufficient daylight was roar onto the coral. The wind was now follow the coast north for twelve miles haste, they procured two bancas. These the seat of our pants. Small engineless activity moves towards the ‘fine line’ limited, and aware of the regular blowing around a lower four and there before turning right just after the small swift outrigger craft draw only a few boats crewed by novices operating and nibbles at the boundaries of safety, afternoon stiff sea breeze, the group were choppy little wavelets all around. port situated at the northern extremity centimeters and this would enable us to independently outside a tropical coral the more intense the experience will be, should have camped the night on the I let go my Danforth with its small of the mainland. Here, we would enter scout the coast close in to the beach. The reef on the receiving end of nearly and thus the greater it’s potential value ‘changeover’ beach and departed the length of chain and about fifteen metres the wide channel between the mainland two boats set off in opposite directions 1,500 km of ocean fetch? The area - for a diversity of reasons. The extent following morning. of rode, and gestured the nearby crew to and an adjacent island. To achieve this to begin the search. I was relieved that of operation was one in which the to which practitioners, both providers Provision of a handheld VHF radio for do the same. My message did not make it would be necessary to find the gap in help was on hand and also that I was part company had been successfully running and participants, wish to push the limits each boat - April 2020. it through the language barrier and din the reefs which lay off the coasts either of a positive effort to try and sort things six or seven trips a year for over ten of what is ethically acceptable in terms of unsheeted canvas, but fortunately my side of the channel. Once through, any out. However, the thought that the boats years. Familiarity with the area and anchor had held, snagged no doubt on spot of choosing would be suitable to might still be at sea (unlikely), or that enthusiastic staff who were keen to put a lump of coral which judging by the beach the boats and make camp. The they had not managed to avoid a nasty together an exciting, challenging and angle and tension of the line, appeared Dabbers crews were now on their own encounter with the reef on attempting adventurous program perhaps led to an to be almost directly beneath me. After and all I could do was hope they would landfall (distinct possibility), left me oversight of the maxim ‘less is more’. giving the engine a more thorough choose - and be able - to stick to the extremely anxious so say the least. Busy schedules of this nature, with check and tugging on the starter cord plan. Other than stooging about in the their tricky logistics, lend themselves a few times, it restarted. I revved it dark outside of the reef in the hope that At around midnight we came upon to strict time constraints and put staff enthusiastically then let it idle for a we could all regroup, the feasible course the Lugger, complete with crew. After under pressure to ‘meet the deadline’, couple of minutes; or maybe it was a of action for them to follow was, as an exhilarating passage, they had resulting in unacceptable levels of risk couple of seconds only, I don’t recall. noted, to make beach fall. In the present made it safely into the shallows and taking in order to ‘get their on time’. I retrieved the anchor and off we went, circumstances, any beach would do. were happily camped on a beach. We Risk taking of a level to which it is glad to be moving away from the The important part was finding a gap, arranged that they would return to the entirely inappropriate to subject novice hazardous reef. I towed the hapless boat any gap, in the reef through which they ship unaccompanied the following participants. The trainees participating directly out to sea for twenty minutes could safely pass. morning. And remain at all times within in this experience had an authentic and Trainees after a 2 day coastal voyage in Drascombes, before switching to sea kayaks

40 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 41 Drascombe Adventures Drascombe Adventures Testing the rain gauge? By Tom Colville

nother dawn, another per- highlands witnessed the most picture shell sand. At rest, still some way from Afect day? Somewhere a door perfect May sailing weather for many shore – a defined social distance I imag- slammed. Incessant rain had resonated years. Day after dry day, blue skies and ined - Whisper turned to her anchor. through my dreams. A loose line, ser- light winds - perfection delivered to However, as the kettle boiled to make pentlike, wriggled. Overnight rain water every doorstep from dawn to dusk. All lunchtime soup, three stalwart ladies already some 5 cm deep trapped within this good cheer was studiously ignored came puffing and bobbing along close the cockpit. Whisper swung gently to by sedentary committees who empha- by. It looked like they were completing anchor. Out of sight, uphill above this sised daily; “no mountaineering…no a 1 mile sea swim, a circle of the Mur- sheltered inlet, voices confirmed that recreational boating”. rach islet. Their invitation to plunge in Covid or no Covid, people from far Then, one covert evening, committees to accompany them to the shallows that away regions were back. They were relented. Whisper sneaked out. She hot day, was easily resisted. No ‘derring thronging the West Highland coast, ghosted away silently into the evening do’ ! (This is Scotland after all.) regardless. light. The course hugged the rocky Later, rested and crew replete, Whis- It had been a weird spring. For the first coast, angling through behind some per evaded from that hideously public time since she left the Totnes factory skerries, passing dozing seals. Atop the place, ghosting away without fuss. She a quarter century before, Whisper had last surge of the flood tide, sails barely vanished seawards via the narrow 4 spent weeks being pampered indoors. drawing, she idled like a mirage through mtr wide tidal notch. Once outside, a Tom sailing on the West Coast by Andy Biggs. the narrows towards her favoured an- tricky course could be woven between The bilges had been scrubbed clean compliant with dubious self-imposed rush- the secret Soay anchorage remains couple of mtrs. Gentle waves sucked chorage. Here, nestled in the lee of a reef-infested shallows towards the and repainted. A considerable tidying schedules? Whisper by nature compre- almost inaccessible, even to a shoal and surged along the sun dappled crystal tree cloaked headland, she has passed deeper Arisaig channel. Catching the up of many partly-rigged “experiments” hends none of this. She had the whole draft Drascombes, until half tide. An white sand beach. Between high dunes scores of nights at peace, unobserved. flood tide, we could ride it from marker had taken place. Some adaptions and space, a veritable planet perhaps, all to early evening shower tinkled lightly on wild red deer could be seen grazing, Prevailing winds can never reach this pillar to marker post, eastwards into alterations, so permanent down the herself? The gentle westerly breeze let the slate calm waters. We were no lon- some with new calves. For generations uncharted spot. They sweep on by. Loch nan Ceall. There a more private decades, had been finalised. Reeking full sail carry us. With helm lashed we ger alone. Drawn up high near a promi- there had been a viable farm here, Bright June sunshine greeted this early space beckoned. Or so I had imagined. of fresh paint, with a new tidier battery skimmed on north. By lunchtime, tidal nent headland, a single bright-coloured perhaps until the 1940’s. Now a ruined riser. No ripple disturbed the mir- That car door slammed shut. It had arrangement and a small solar panel to swirls and overfalls were thrusting us sea kayak grabbed the eye. A thin plume croft house stared with vacant windows ror-smooth water. High overhead ravens shattered those rain drenched slumbers. keep this topped up, it was only then ever onwards, north westwards, ever of smoke curled upwards. It disclosed a out across the water towards the distant called, as a pair of crows circled some Yet I knew some 15 miles distant there the spring time boating hiatus for 2020 more swiftly. Out beyond the point tiny tent. On flooding tide, sea quietened Coulin. Between exposed boulders, carrion caught between the trees. Slow had to be one extra special place no intervened. of Sleat light we slid, breaching the with drizzle, Whisper lifted on past. It right along under a low cliff at the west bubble whorls circled - the tide began casual Covid fleeing camper could have The view out from our home towards perimeter where timeless scrutiny by was only then this one solitary islander corner of the bay, through binoculars to ebb. A slight breeze ruffled the loch. thought of. Might I prove mistaken surrounding hills appears timeless. the awesome Coulin is in effect. The stood up to share a cheery wave in rec- I could spot a safer place on which The anchor was brought home. Gentle about this as well? Somehow it had just become strangely sense of isolation grew as the wind in- ognition of a kindred spirit. Whisper could be beached. Once se- weaving tacks brought us back to the It was a grand sail. Every so often one devoid of ‘contrails’ from airliners high creased. Exposure to the larger swells 36 hours later a new tide seeped back. cured, and with walking boots still dry, river-like exit from this magical retreat. perfect day such as this will arrive. above. Without clear local evidence running in past Rum always serves to Whisper, now shoved, now poled by her I set off to explore far up the hill. Much Out between the drying islets, where Passing through the rock strewn north to go on, we listened dutifully to the quicken a somnolent pulse. Soon we trusty “half collar” paddle*, slithered later oneroute back scrambled along the sinuous fronds of kelp surge endlessly, channel in hot sunshine, there was only scary world news. We also behaved as were thundering along on a broad reach, out over the boulder ledge, and headed highly indented headlands, wriggled Whisper tacked serenely westwards to one sailing boat to be seen. This was we were instructed. The need for any almost surfing down the underlying off west again. The day was slightly through storm clefts, unknown secret enter a deserted sea. Summer 2020 - the Whisper boasting the only sails visible change of routine across this remote ocean surges. A single reef was tied in overcast, but never cool. Had the wind places giving to tidal sea caves. Totally new dawn? anywhere across that huge expanse of region ran a bit against the grain. Pre- and the foresail part-furled accordingly. come from a point or two further north- socially distanced – the planet was ours Some hours later in hot sunshine, one crystal blue shimmering sea. Right out cautions so essential for urban areas Much later a cup of afternoon tea served west it might have delivered a simple - just the deer, Whisper and me. long single tack had brought us north to to the small isles nothing moved. The held little logic around here. Necessary to calm the mad rush. The exhilarating crossing, outbound to Canna. That op- I had miscalculated. That tranquil Port nam Murrach. Oh my!… hordes of emptiness was such a weird experience. measures adopted so earnestly: “Save dash northwards was ended. Momen- tion was denied. As that transit closed evening while the moon rose clear, strangers…real people - masses of them More normally on such a perfect-almost the NHS…protect the Mountain res- tum fell away in the lee of the island. a fresh one was presented. There are a actually became extended. On it went - humanity at play. The small beach and windless- June morning, the Sound of cue teams…do not make challenges The last 2 miles of this 15 mile passage number of glorious sandy bays along right through midsummer twilight, right the marram grass slopes behind it, well Sleat would be dotted with yachts. for Coastguard or lifeboat crews; Stay demanded persistence. Through ripples the north coast of Rum. Some I have on beyond the 00.45 BBC shipping crowded with walkers and day trippers, Memories from a score of previous home!” all this hit home even here. . that darkened the water, back drafts still never called at. Most lie wide open, forecast . It was a midsummer dusky some with picnics. cruises abound: multiple course chang- Locally, breath was definitely drawn and wind switches, misrule coated the exposed to the North east. The number 01.30 before Whisper eventually float- Two sea kayaks, hitherto unseen while es just to hold distance from pre-pro- through clenched teeth. Not a few waters, as one by one the Coulin closed unvisited is smaller now by one! A ed. Maybe some committee of eternal rock-dodging among the islets beyond grammed plastic playthings, many resentful mutterings were somehow their skirts, concealing their flanks perfect day was delivered instead. island spirits will only issue the essen- the entrance, followed Whisper in. They today dependent on touch-screen GPS stifled, protests unuttered. Then, mis- again within a bank of swirling cloud. It was low water again as the glorious tial ‘permit’, once the solace required to powered earnestly on past, to beach transits, intellects cocooned within chievously, as if to highlight what had to Another 2 long hours would slip by. close- reach ended. We slid quietly in break free from that magical interlude near those playing barefoot on the white rumbling of motors, crews urgently make perfect sense for others, the West Yet there was absolutely no need to past a submerged bank to anchor in a is confirmed?

42 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 43 Drascombe Adventures Drascombe Adventures It is never too late to For any small boat sailor few things (learning?) as a wild and wet cold high-merging with a whispy cloud are more curious than a nightsail. To front whipped through. Next morn- of sea mist, the infallibility of these be hooked appear of a sudden, just after dawn, in ing promised a better interlude, devices proved impressive. Even a busy anchorage, angling in from the so the course was plotted back when the 10m wide safe channel is Sailing in the Shadow open sea? Then to power past under full towards Eigg. However, out of re- a place you know like the back of sail between closely anchored yachts, spect for that community’s request your hand, digital navigation will of Table Mountain while those aboard are struggling to gain much ‘traction’ from their cosy for COVID isolation from tourists, give this dramatic entrance a whole bunks, is inspiring. A drascombe will Whisper actually headed straight on new ‘twist’. by. We knew our route back towards As Whisper rode back inland on the always be free to proceed to an area By Peter Ridgway so shallow keelboat Cruisers could the wild security offered by the rising tide once more, she slipped al- never invade it. An anchor dropped mainland. A long and slightly disori- most unaided back into her position so far away from being overlooked, entating day of around 20 miles was (B), the secret corner she had depart- the mystery of it remains - boating on offer. Eventually in rising winds ed one crystal dreamy morning -was exalted to a pinnacle of status - so we enjoyed an extremely murky and it only 6 days before? 6 wonderful clearly “one-up”? damp experience. days in which ‘guesstimate’, my age That night time cruise on the tide One factor remains unsaid through old pencil, pilot book and chart had round into Loch Scresort, to anchor all this. 2020 has witnessed the very been pushed aside. Life aboard this was lucky enough to marry an En- Binny quite often sailed alone and still spring being the best time – summer in shallows by the old stone pier just first cruises I have ever undertaken Drascombe has begun to migrate to aboard Whisper, since my local a whole new tier. glish girl whose Dad was a sailor. A does to this day. brings raging South Easterlies and reg- after dawn would have merited all I In May June 2015 I sailed on Hullaba- ular South Westerlies which draw knowledge has become adapted. 200 nautical mile family sailing holiday that special Kudos… but for COVID loo for the first time with Captain Binny surfers from all over the world. Our This year great experimentation with *An original ‘Collars’ made oar, in 2002 in the Scottish Western isles on In this past June 2020 the covert Lalula, a Nicholson 32, did not really on Derwent Water. I was caught hook winters days are like UK summer days, iPad Navionics, ably assisted by the which after two decades snapped night-time mission failed dismally. excite me – but the fact that my wife line and sinker, and could not wait for with less rain. Cape Town has a Medi- This loch had remained a sorry free- Bing map App has taken priority. off at the leather.This became and her dad, and mother-in-law could our next annual visit to enjoy sailing terranean climate with winter rain and zone- quite devoid of leisure sailors. Charging in from a wild seascape refashioned as the ultimate must- survive a week of sailing together in again on Derwent Water. warm dry summers, unlike the rest of We lingered on at anchor all that late that murky afternoon, to- have Drascombe paddle. less than 10m square cabin in atrocious The radio-controlled sailing boat builds South Africa which is mainly a summer blustery day, relaxing and reading wards foaming reefs- spray thrown weather was surprising. We had fun, started the process of a growing interest rainfall area or just plain hot and dry especially rowing four- up in a baby in- in the technicalities of sailing. I bought and when it eventually rains it floods. flatable tender back toLalula ’s mooring Dallas Murphy’s “Plain Sailing” about The raging SE winds in the Cape from after a good dinner at Tobermory. As the how to trim your sails as my first source November to February bring the rain years passed by, father-in-law Captain of knowledge. That is how I learnt to to the other parts of the country. Our Binny downsized his vessels and after sail my radio-controlled sailing boats winters are from June to August and can selling his last decided to build a Rob- although the square rigger sailing was be very cold because our houses are not be Comtesse radio-controlled sailing a completely different learning method. built for cold weather so we feel it for yacht. Within five minutes of sailing it After radio-controlled sailing it has a very short time but it doesn’t stop us with him on Lake Bassethwaite I was been a challenge to transfer those skills hiking in in the mountain ranges hooked. This resulted in me building to caring for a full sizelboat and crew. in the Winelands. the Robbe sailing boat kits of Smaragd I first had to gain confidence before I There is a wide range of choice of (1980s old style shark fin sailing could cope with the additional challenge sailing in the area: the iconic Table yacht) , Valdivia van Altona () of teamwork onboard. We have now Mountain, Lions Head, Devils Peak and scratch building a copy of Valdiv- reached a happy medium – wife Binny and the Twelve Apostles in Table Bay ia, the massive Phillip Roberts HMS at the helm and me being the moveable are the back drop near where we live. Surprise square rigger kit and finally ballast and hand. If I hit a problem while The equally impressive Sentinel and my scratch built four mast gaff rigged sailing alone I react instinctively. When Chapman’s Peak overlooking you when schooner Resolute. I sail with Binny she carefully analyses sailing from Hout Bay Harbour are On one holiday we hired a little gaff- the problem, we discuss it and then we 16km and 25minutes from our home. rigged sailing boat on Ullswater and act together – pretty much a lesson for The more distant Helderberg West Peak Captain Binny’s eye was caught by life! and The Dome overlook you from the Hullabaloo, a Drascombe Lugger for I love my Lugger Julia….the highlight more distant Hottentots Holland Moun- sale in rather tatty condition. He bought of life was seeing the happiness in the tain Range when launching from Gor- it, restored it and it had a summer moor- eyes of my father of 84 and mother of don’s Bay harbour in False. And there is ing at Nicolend Marina on Derwent 78 enjoying sailing Julia with me. the sheltered Langebaan Lagoon, with Water. The fact that he was almost 80 What is great about sailing in South Af- beautiful flamingos and sea life, in the was no barrier. His wife Annie became rica?The opportunity to sail throughout West Coast National Park. Also, the Devils Peak & Table Mountain. the regular movable ballast but Captain the year with our autumn, winter and shelter of Saldanha Bay and its harbour

44 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 45 Drascombe Adventures Drascombe Adventures

Pippa the Dipper @ Milton Keynes Sailability

By Dave Staniforth rom time to time, the DA re- mobility, but are limited in other ways had owned the boat since new and we Fceives an email, correspondence such as learning difficulties, autism or understand that she mainly was sailed or a phone call from a long-standing visual impairments. The donation to on the Cumbria lakes and Norfolk member resigning as member of the MK Sailability was thus finalised and Broads as far as we know the Dipper Association. These are mostly tinged Dipper was re-launched in early 2019 didn’t have a name, so we decided that with sadness – the passing of a spouse, at Caldecotte Lake, a balancing lake naming her after their daughter Pippa or failing health, mean that sailing no on the River Ouzel that runs through Ungar would be appropriate and that longer possible. One such call was Milton Keynes. ‘Pippa the Dipper’ had a certain ring received during the late summer from to it.” Rosemary Ungar informing us that she The DA contacted John Osbiston of and husband Alexander were no longer MK Sailability and he gave us an up- In carrying out the update on the DA sailing, and that they had disposed of date on progress through 2020. “Only membership database, it was noticed their Dipper. My curiosity was triggered two outings on our new boat happened, that the boat recorded was a Lugger by this unfamiliar sounding name and since March these have been severely named Windrush. Another exchange of Rosemary quickly filled the gaps in my restricted by Coronavirus. Many of our emails with Rosemary Ungar elicited knowledge. The wooden Dipper was members are regarded as vulnerable further details of even earlier Dras- built for the Ungar family by Norman and have not been able to come out combing days. Windrush had been a Whyte in Findhorn, Scotland in 1992. to participate in our activities. We are new boat bought in the mid-1970s and It was mainly sailed on Ullswater, close hoping that we can re-establish a sailing they owned it through to 1989, by which Peter Ridgway heading out of Langebaan lagoon into to their Cumbria home. programme in 2021 with suitable social time they had also joined the Associa- Saldanha Bay by Andrew Kellett distancing and PPE. In the meantime, tion. Over the years it had been sailed which is a good place to start an out and back sail and an occupying off limits areas, however it does have blue algae The family had decided that, rather when sailing has been allowed the in- Firth of Forth, Lake Garda in Italy, and overnight in Kraalbaai in the Langebaan Lagoon given the problem sometimes. The Theewaterskloofdam, Villiersdorp than selling the Dipper on the sec- structors are still learning about Dipper, on the Norfolk Broads where they first right conditions. We can launch from Buffels Bay slipway is 105km and 2 hours from our home, and is now 100% full ond-hand market, they would donate how to rig her correctly and how to get introduced a 3 year old granddaughter in the Cape Point Nature Reserve, or Millers Point slipway I have learnt to sail from scratch over the last 15 months on it to a UK Sailability group for regular the best out of her” to sailing. and observe Cape Point from the water in the right weather Julia in these inland waters – the sea sailing will be the next use by disabled sailors. Milton Keynes conditions. Also in the right conditions and with good com- step up but C19 got in the way this year. There is a very active Sailability, on the advice of other RYA John went on to say Thanks to this donation, MK Sailability pany, a great sail is the 25 nautical miles across False Bay club sailing and racing community who are very helpful if Sailability groups, was on the lookout have now joined more than 10 other from Gordons Bay to Simonstown or Millers Point. Heading you ask for guidance. Safety on the water is overseen by the for a Drascombe style boat to accom- “We owe a great deal to the kind gener- RYA Sailability groups with a Dras- north it is possible to circumnavigate Robben Island in Table NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute), a world class voluntary modate members who have some osity of Rosalind and Alex Ungar, they combe style boat in their fleet. Bay while keeping out of the one nautical mile perimeter sea rescue organisation funded mainly by private donations prohibited area. It is also possible to sail from Yzerfontein and the occasional Lotto grant. slipway to Dassen Island and back for the more experienced. I grew up at the sea, while my wife grew up in Cumbria and There is also a choice of inland and estuary sailing. Zeekoev- we both appreciate the friendliness of the majority of the lei in the False Bay Nature Reserve is 16km and 20 minutes people enjoying and living by the sea. We have travelled from our home, with a beautiful view of the back of Table extensively in Europe, UK, South America, Africa and Mountain Range with fish eagles, flamingos and massive pel- Australasia and when we get home we are always excited icans – the hippos have now been relocated (a Hippopotamus by Cape Town’s cosmopolitan beauty. is a Zeekoei). Rietvlei is 22km and 30 minutes from my home with the iconic Table Mountain in the distance and flamingos

46 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 47 The Bumpkin The Bumpkin

A Boat You Can Carry by Dom Jarman s Ratty might almost have said, there is nothing half over for filleting and taping the external joints. I used West Aso much worth doing as simply building boats. With System A Pack 105 Epoxy Resin, 205 Hardener and 407 lockdown upon us what else was there to do? My Dras- Low Density Filler. After I realized that quite a lot of filler combe Coaster and dinghy both reside on trailers, so was needed in the mix the fillets became easy to form and I thought that any additional boat should be car-topable. sand-down. We once owned a Mirror dinghy which two of us in our The plans indicate 15 x 35mm timber gunwales glued-on prime could lift, but I wanted something that I (in my non- each side. I found that this size of timber would not take prime!) could put on the car roof single-handed. It also the curvature without cracking. A rudimentary steam-box needed to be small enough to be stored easily, and to be which I put together did not solve the problem, so I lam- slid into the water from a river bank rather than needing a inated the gunwales from two lengths of 6 x 34mm pine slipway. stripwood moulding, which I purchased from Wickes. The solution was to build a ‘Doracle’ using plans pur- The thwart was cut from an old oak skirting board that I chased from Selway Fisher. It is described as 1.83m / 6’ had previously salvaged from a builder’s rubbish skip. I Testing the Ergonomics Lifted onto Car Roof long in the brochure, but is actually dimensioned on the doubled-up the 4mm ply for the single bulkhead, then cut working plans as 1.7m (5’7’’) including external transom out a pattern of circular holes in it to reduce weight. After strips front and rear. So it is very compact and consequent- the first river trip I raised the thwart by 20mm to achieve a ly light. The boat is built from two standard sheets of ply, more comfortable posture for rowing. For buoyancy I tie a with a suggested choice of 4, 5 or 6mm thickness. I chose couple of large fenders to the bulkhead beneath the thwart. 4mm, which resulted in a finished weight of around 13kg. I used Robbins marine ply, which is a very good material to work with. However the boat will not be left outdoors or on the water, so I probably could have saved money by us- ing standard external ply instead. I marked-out the sheets

Components Stitched With its varnished hull and diminutive size the boat has generated interest and amusement when out on the Thames in Oxfordshire. On one occasion half a dozen Doracle Component Parts teenage lads passed me on paddle-boards and one of them asked if I had made it myself. I advised him that I had, from the comprehensive 1/5 scale drawings, and cut them and to my surprise he replied ‘‘that’s a well-good boat’’. I using a surprisingly good jig saw which I bought for £8.00 have tried adding my Mariner 2hp outboard, but even that some years ago, when Woolworths had their closing-down low weight (9 kg) on the transom produced too much sale. The parts were then drilled at 200mm centres and dip at the stern, so I have concluded that it is really just stitched together with cable ties. Small lengths of dowel a single-person rowing boat. That’s better for my health Light Weight Demonstrated On the Water were positioned inside the stitches to keep the ply sheets anyway! touching but not overlapping each other. The boat might be suitable as a one-person tender, but Fillets of epoxy resin filler were formed internally between probably only in a reasonably sheltered harbour. I think the stitches. Once set, the stitches could be removed and its best use may be for ‘’simply messing about in’’ on a the gaps filleted over. Then a 50mm strip of glass tape and summer’s day. resin finished-off the internals and the hull could be turned

48 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 49 The Bumpkin The Bumpkin

Centre Plate Stories: Why didn’t it work? An uphaul modification,capping to keep the water out and grounded (hit a rock) By Steve Porteous

hen I bought my early 1970’s lugger a few years ago, forward CP casing slot when the CP is about 1/3 down. A Wthe centre plate and pivot had just been replaced by the pulley deflects the CP uphaul line over the sealing block and previous owner, but the boat had not been back in the water. holds it in place. The CP casing is then sealed on top with a The newly-named Lily Ella’s maiden launch went well; no board tied down. The system keeps most of the water out. leaks, rudder went down the slot, and all sails up and setting. Perfect, what more could I ask for? Well I didn’t expect the I didn’t enjoy my earlier experience of sailing single-hand- centre plate (CP) to stop 1/3 of the way down! Why was ed in marginal conditions (wind and waves) with copious that? At least it didn’t deter me from going sailing, but I amounts of water to be pumped out at regular intervals. did notice that in the chop quite a lot of water came into the Pumping whilst trying to maintain steerage way wasn’t easy boat from the CP casing. The CP lever arm is the L-shaped and I’ve found from bitter experience that in these conditions (rather than the Z-shaped type) which means the cut out in if you don’t concentrate 100%, something will go wrong. My the front of the casing is quite low, and the top isn’t capped either. So two projects – get the plate to go all the way down CP Mod - corner ground down and reduce the amount of water coming aboard. remove the plate. With the CP fully retracted I attached the main halyard to the uphaul leg of the CP. A loop of thin cord was pushed down the CP casing and around the CP (easy to write, difficult to do!) to give support to the aft/lower end of the CP. It was now a case of see-sawing the two ends of the CP until it came free and into the boat – ah, a benefit of not having the capping on top of the CP casing!

With the CP at home a few scale drawings were made and it looked as though grinding off the CB at the front lower edge would do the job. The sketches and photos show what was done and I can confirm that the CP now goes all the CP casing sealing block plug way down. I’m not exactly sure, but the previous owner may alongside the CP casing. I know I’ve increased the loading have replaced the CP with a longboat CP he acquired. With on the keel block fixing by some 33% but it seems to have CP casing cap and CP tackle Centre plate (before grinding off corner) a fully functioning centre plate, I was now irritated by the held up for the last two years uphaul system. When the uphaul block attached to the CP Because of my CP problems I didn’t want to install a perma- solution to that particular problem was to install an electric Many measurements with the CP still in the boat yielded nent cap on the CB casing. Sealing the front of the CB casing bilge pump, complete with battery and switching system and nothing. The plate had to come out. I didn’t know the exact additionally 12 volt and USB sockets, handy for charging the slot / pivot configuration of the CP so I wasn’t sure how VHF, phone, camera etc. on long trips and also for running easily it would come out as the CP wouldn’t go all the way lights. Finally, I had an unintentional inspection of my centre down. Ideally I would have beached the boat, careened her plate (CP) this year! I was sailing close to shore and doing over and then I’m sure the CB would have come out easily. some rock dodging when I sailed over one. The CP had me However, I wasn’t particularly keen on the careening because firmly “anchored” and the slight swell lifted the boat, dropped of potential damage to gunnels and, as I generally do every- it back down and the plate came off the pin, being held by thing with the boat by myself, it would have been a struggle. the uphaul – but still stuck on the rock! I rolled away the jib I felt keeping the boat in the water would be the best way to and took down the main into the boat. I attached the main halyard to the CP uphaul and managed to pull the CP back into the boat and drifted free of the rock. Once free I was able to lower the plate back down latching onto the pin and CP slot where most of water came in away I went. I did think, “Would that have been possible if I had made a permanent capping on top of the CP casing?” wasn’t fouling the top of the CP casing, the multiple falls of Note to self – better check that pin before the boat goes back the pulley system restricted the storage space up forward for CP single uphaul line and casing plug in the water. bucket, anchor, chain and warp container. I also had an idea to keep the aforementioned water out and this was going to was problematic as the CP arm passes through this area as be complicated with the moving pulley system. The solution the CP is pulled up. A “Z” profile arm on the CP would have seemed to be to attach a single line to the CP arm, run this reduced the problem, but my welding skills are non-existent. through the block on the keel and then have the pulley system In the end, I fabricated a sealing block that is installed in the

50 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 51 The Bumpkin The Bumpkin

Restoration of a Drifter by Mick Price However, it did give me time to consider things more care- plastic fittings where I though them more appropriate. The This is part of a series of articles we hope to publish that shares fully and question how I could update its tired 1970s look woodwork was really just a matter of the usual sanding and and give it a more modern aspect. In effect, how would you applying a finish of choice. This was carried out throughout, members’ experiences of owning and sailing an original Drifter. present it as a new boat in today’s market? The colours were both internally and externally and really made a difference. the first things that really dated it, followed by the corroded The existing hatch door was modified to become a removable side windows, front hatch, plastic and mismatched fittings two piece washboard and various fixings were inspected number of years ago I decided that I would like to have I am 6’-2” and Son Richard is 6’-7”. and the bleached woodwork. and replaced where necessary. A complete re-wire was also Aa more relaxed aspect to my long term but sporadic carried out and all lighting changed to LED. pastime of sailing. Prior to then it consisted of fast and wet At the time Honner Marine in Rochdale were brokering a The hull was never going to fully clean up so I decided to dinghies, crewing traditional craft on quite significant voy- number of prospective boats so an appointment with Bob paint it a bottle green matched to a primrose cabin top, while The more I worked on it the more I realised that, almost ages and a number of Broads holidays on hired sailing craft. Brown was arranged to have a look around. Those who knew retaining the original practical pale blue gel coat of the deck by accident, I had bought a true classic that was really As the years progressed, those big Norfolk skies, the gentle Bob will know of his unbounded enthusiasm for everything which had less of a visual impact. As all the windows leaked more of a trailable yacht than a trailer sailer. The beauty of lapping of water, with a drink in hand and good company they did at Honnor Marine from new boats to Tufnol blocks I changed them by having them cast in brass which involved any Drascombe must surely be its simplicity, but not just became the inspiration to own my own boat. and his straightforwardness topped with a wicked dry sense using the existing side windows as patterns and making new any old simplicity. There is also a touch of genius in John of humour. Among the boats was a tired looking Drifter. A patterns for a now fixed front light. As this eliminated the Watkinson’s designs that belies the obvious basics. The good look round revealed that it was in a sound condition, ventilation I purchased two opening brass portlights and beautiful flowing hull lines that combine to give them their but had obviously seen a lot of sailing and was in need of installed them on each side. Perhaps a bit over the top, but sea keeping qualities, the easily handled split rig that gives some work and a lot of TLC. As Bob put it (a number of having previously restored vintage vehicles and worked in unlimited combinations to meet so many differing conditions times....) ”It’s a lot of boat for the money”, but it was the similar industries it was not too difficult to achieve. The mix- and perhaps above all their everyday practical attributes that cabin and cockpit space that sealed the deal. Whatever the ture of aluminium, brass and plastic fittings, many of which enable such a wide range of owners of all types and abilities disadvantages of losing the centreboard and case does for were badly worn was next and again I had many of them cast to just have a great time afloat, which surely was the whole upwind performance and ease of launching, the compromise in bronze or bought them off the shelf. Here I worked on the point in the first place. is the considerable gain in internal space. Although I fully principle that, if it looked right it was right, and used new accept that I may find I have a different view in the future.

Early photo of boat with windows removed I didn’t particularly aspire to own a Drascombe, just the boat that suited me best. When it came to cost the relatively recent Cape and Drifter 22 were all well above my budget, so I started looking at a Shrimper, Coaster, LB Cruiser and as a passing thought, that old obscure Drascombe called a Drifter that hailed from the past. A look inside a Shrimper eliminated that option on size and I now questioned the suitability of both Coaster and LB Cruiser on this aspect as

Renovated cabin sole boards

So I became the owner of a Drascombe Drifter. As I collected it and finished strapping it down and checking the lights, Bob’s parting words were inevitably “You’ve got a lot of boat there for the money Mick”. Bob you are sadly missed. Rest in Peace. Another pursuit and some serious family commitments meant time working on the Drifter was at best limited, but a change in circumstances meant time was now even more limited and it would need to be put on the back burner and work continue as and when. Finished boat with the mast down New and old windows

52 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 53 The Bumpkin The Bumpkin

Using an electric outboard on a Dabber By Brian Oswald only about 20 minutes’ of service after my outbound leg, Indicated Power S.O.G. Estimated range that was plenty in hand at the end. Nevertheless, I felt that The two articles about electric outboards (DAN Winter 2020) Watts Knots Nm for “insurance” purposes, and with a possible eye on future were interesting and informative. Hopefully my own tale will shed some additional light. Rallies further afield, a second battery was justified, even if 990 (full) 4.7 4.9 it was costly. 800 4.6 5.5 700 4.5 6.7 own a Dabber Shalder, which I bought with a 2-stroke going to fit into the Dabber’s well, it seemed to me that the 600 4.4 7.5 So, in summary, overall, I have been delighted with the new I Mariner 3.3. That served me well enough, aside from unit had one “killer advantage” over the Torqeedo – it could 500 4.2 8.7 motor. Being able to go ahead and astern easily, in blissful the occasional tantrum when it refused to start – although be supplied with a 2 metre battery extension cable, so that the 400 4.0 10 quiet, and with no flammable fuel aboard has been a joy. An it had run perfectly well beforehand in a bucket of water battery could be located separately from the rest of the motor, 300 3.6 12 added and unexpected bonus arose during one trip too. The in the driveway at home, then run with the fuel shut off to while the tiller/throttle and display remain on the motor-head 200 3.3 17 Dabber has many good points, but sailing close to windward empty the carb! However, the sage advice of the late, great itself. (The Torqeedo can also be used with a remote throttle, 150 2.9 21 and tacking when there’s any sort of contrary tide running Stewart Brown usually persuaded the motor to behave itself. but without a tiller.) The E-Prop also attaches to the battery 100 2.5 25 isn’t one of them. I discovered, almost by accident, that “Just leave it alone to sulk for 10 minutes and try again.” by a single cable, where the Torqeedo uses separate power 50 1.4 28.5 motor-sailing with the power set at 100W or so made a huge That always worked. My biggest gripe was that going astern and control cables. difference. Cheating, I know, but that gave me about an extra involved spinning the whole item through 180 degrees. As Unlike the Torqeedo, the EP doesn’t have a built-in GPS, so 10 degrees to windward, plus more reliable tacking, without time passed, I could usually manage this quite well, but At the start of 2020, I bought an E-Propulsion Spirit 1.0XS, the tiller display gives Power or Battery Voltage, and esti- draining the battery very much at all. any attempt to go astern in a hurry was doomed to disaster. along with an extension cable. The motor unit fits snugly into mated time left at the chosen power setting. I used my Leaning over the aft-deck, it was too easy to fumble with the the Dabber’s well, and the cable is long enough to run over hand-held GPS to give S.O.G. data. Obviously, the “range” little throttle lever, mis-engage the forward gear selector, or the afterdeck and into the stern locker, where the battery sits figures above will fall steadily as the battery drains. Running Any regrets? None so far, except that a short while after I wedge the tiller handle under the deck cleat or mizzen sheet. happily. Locating the battery to starboard, with the rest of the at 50W is barely possible. To maintain reasonable steerage bought the Spirit 1.0, E-Propulsion brought out the Spirit 1.0 Or all of those. The potential consequences were dire, but motor to port, improves the balance of the boat a little too. way, 75W works better. Plus. The main difference is that the Plus has 25% greater I’m pleased to say that I never actually managed to reverse For now, I just lay the cable loosely over the deck, but plan battery capacity (1276Wh), and costs pretty much the same as into any real trouble. But, oh, was the motor noisy! And the to route the cable neatly via a grommet through the afterdeck. the original model. That might have influenced my decision less said about the exhaust smoke the better. The grommet will mainly provide mechanical protection for The power/speed curve shows clearly that there is little to be about buying a backup battery. the cable, as it’s not essential to achieve a perfect water-tight gained by running the motor at anything above 200 - 300W, With one eye on the environment, and one on my safety re- seal. The stern locker isn’t watertight in any case. An added and the effective range falls off quickly at higher power set- cord, I began a serious investigation of alternatives. This led purchase has been a “dummy” mounting plate, which will tings. I made several other trips during the year and although me to examine electric outboards. As Philip Evans notes in secure the battery in the locker. The motor lifts easily, and I try to sail as much as possible, using the motor sparingly, I his article, until relatively recently, the only serious once rotated through 90 degrees, the tiller handle rests neatly found that running at 150-200W always left me with plenty in this area was the Torqeedo. Numerous smaller “trolling” along the afterdeck. The catch to unlatch the motor for lifting of remining charge at the end of my normal day’s outing. motors were on sale, but none had the necessary grunt to is a bit awkward to reach from the cockpit, but I fitted a short move even a small Drascombe along satisfactorily. line and toggle, which makes unlatching easy. However, two unusual events in my home waters of Chich- The early Torqeedo 1003 seemed promising, but I had seen My only minor gripe is about the shape of the casting at the ester Harbour gave me some slight concern about remaining one fitted into a Dabber, and that had involved quite a lot of top of the motor, which usually locates the battery. Without range/charge, and I decided to invest in a spare battery. Both surgery in and around the motor-well. A short test outing with the battery in place, this has a pair of “ears”, which stick up day trips had begun in fine conditions (don’t they always?), the owner also suggested that the motor was still a very tight and can catch the boat’s tiller from time to time. They also but as the day wore on, the wind picked up significantly, to fit in its well, and somewhat cumbersome to operate. It was must be covered while the boat cover is in use, as the ends of top-F4, gusting F5/6. Inevitably, where I wanted to go was also a lot noisier than I had imagined. (The later Torqeedo the “ears” are relatively sharp. They are redundant when the dead upwind, and to make matters worse, I had foul tide overcame this issue.) Undaunted, I contacted Torqeedo, battery is in the transom locker, but I am reluctant to modify too. At least it wasn’t a wind-over-tide situation, but beating who were very helpful, and obtained a set of dimensioned the casting by cutting them off! single-handed against that sort of wind and tide in the Dabber drawings. In true Drascombe fashion, I then made up a is awfully hard going, so I decided to motor. cardboard mock-up of the 1003, and playing about with it What about performance? Several runs in Chichester Har- in the motor-well convinced me that this motor wasn’t my bour, in reasonably flat water and about 0.7kts of tide pro- ideal purchase. duced the following results. The boat was fully rigged, but It soon became apparent that to make any useful progress, I with furled sails. The centreboard was about half-down. I had was going to have to run the motor at 500W or perhaps more, Time passed, then the E-Propulsion Spirit came along. Lots of no crew aboard, but normal cruising kit. The numbers for and the indicated time-to-flat-battery started to fall off much discussions followed, with owners, suppliers, boat builders, speed-over-the-ground are the average of up-tide and down- faster than I would have liked. Fortunately, on both occasions, and others. Although the physical size and shape of the EP tide runs. The figures for estimated range assume starting I was confident that I would have a fast downwind leg back unit would still require modifications to be made if it was all with a full battery. (1018Wh) The motor in the down position, with the battery removed. The line to my launching place, so although the battery was showing with the red toggle is used to release the securing latch.

54 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 55 The Bumpkin The Bumpkin

Always plenty of new ideas on a Rally. By C Walter Murkie As you will know if you have been to a few rallies over install refrigerators and regard the provision of fresh salads the years, they are always enjoyable, and there are always and ice for their gin as boating essentials. For some years the plenty of ideas to see. There would seem to be no limit to successful above-deck barbecue was felt to be the peak of the innovations that owners of Drascombe boats can devise culinary achievement on many boats, the Cordon Bleu being and formulate to make boating just right for them. awarded to those who claimed their meal from a fishing line There is invariably an unquestioning commitment to the during the course of the voyage. All very well for the upwind merit of any modification and the shy belief that all other vessel, the rest of the rally participants spent the evening boats and skippers are living in the equivalent of the ignorant bathed in a blue smoke screen worthy of re-enactment of Drascombe Dark Ages without embracing and incorporating the Battle of Jutland and revisited fresh mackerel in their a personally conceived and particular device on their craft. wardrobe for weeks afterwards. Devices can be useful, mundane, highly exotic, bizarre, or All are “development scientists” to some degree as boats downright dangerous. There is always scope for the eccentric. are improved to particular requirements and possibly prej- How about the development attached to an on-board chemical udices along with the desire to overcome some previous toilet? Not an ordinary convenience but one charged with a perceived shortcoming, mistake or regrettable experience. very special enzyme. As proposed the flammable gas gener- Some of course move on, the wonder product one year can ated by this particular process of fermentation was piped into be cast aside before the following season, the only remaining a holding reservoir and then burnt through small brass orifice evidence being miscellaneous unused screw holes in the for cooking. Lack of flow regulation was the undoing of this gunwales or cabin top. Cleats are top of the bill in this area development. Once the gas was lit the increasing heat on the of misdirected innovation. Positioned strategically to solve orifice drew in the whole contents of the reservoir making a a particular problem and perform a service, they invariably minor as would be evidenced by the missing eyebrows disturb and aggravate some other activity’ snagging lines at of a certain skipper on the occasion. inconvenient times and are subsequently abandoned. Unique Then there was the innovator who fell in love with cable cooking utensils can be seen in the shed at home supporting ties. The season opened with his advocacy to one and all used paintbrushes. Packets of the once “most tasty” and that they could be used for anything. His boat was adorned long life convenient food lie unused in bilges until even the with them, a rainbow of colours, shackles were obsolete hungry ship’s cat would reject such time expired morsels. technology, equipment was fixed in the cabin, anchor and Gadgets, chandlery, nuts and bolts gradually accumulate in cable would never come apart, shrouds would henceforth the “development” box. Never thrown away, until inflicted never need adjusting, fuel lines and electrics will always generously on to the new owner of the boat with a casual remain in the correct place. The limit on cable ties finally encouragement…………. became apparent on a cross-channel trip. It was necessary to “These might come in handy, you will get some ideas on a display radar reflectors. A heavy metal traditional type was rally.” chosen positioned high on top of the mizzen mast, of course secured by a multitude of cable ties. It was a fairly rough crossing and the radar reflector tossed to and fro and eventually within a few miles of the French coast the final plastic cable tie broke. The radar reflector crashed overboard with a fortunately missing the skippers head. As a consequence of this the vessel disappeared from the radar screens of the French coastguard who thereupon dispatched a helicopter to investigate the lost vessel or the possibility of a submerging Russian submarine. BUILDERS OF ORIGINAL DEVON BOATS All manner of cleaning materials and surface finishes are evangelised for both GRP and Iroko Suppliers of parts & trailers for any era of boat with an increasing variety of products now avail- able, few are satisfied with the original advice from the first manufacturers. For friendly advice call Tim on 07968 176496 There is a wide variety of opinion as to the cater- ing options on board. There was once a cookery column in the DAN. While some can barely boil The box of useful things water and live on pot noodles, others managed to WWW.HONNORMARINE.CO.UK 56 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 57

HM.indd 1 23/07/2019 08:49 Adverts Adverts

Members Small Ads: Free to collector Launching Trolley for Dabber Wanted What you can advertise: Boats for sale The trolley was originally constructed by a DCA Lugger wanted Live in Bridport and looking for a Small ads are restricted to private members only, for non- member as the top half of a combination trailer Lugger with good trailer. trade sales of Drascombes, or other boats based closely Equipment for sale on John Watkinson’s designs, or associated items. To for his Dabber. I took over its use for my 16’-6” No engine required. Tel. 1234567890 protect and inform buyers, small ads for all boats should Sussex Cob Yawl after adding two front wheels declare the brand (i.e Drascombe, Devon, Deben etc.), hull Boats For Sale material and original build year and / or hull number where and a revised wooden hull support. Located at these are known. Pre RCD boats which do not have a Craft Coniston. Identification Number usually have a number stamped on If anyone is interested they can ring me on the stemhead or written on the back of the builder’s plate. Bernard 1234567890 How to place a small ad: Drascombe DABBER (289) Doolittle 1976 GRP Send the text of your advert by email to smallads@ drascombe-association.org.uk . Adverts must follow the Very good condition. Trailer. Mariner Outboard. format of the existing ones which can be seen on the small Oars ads page of DAN or the website as this is required by £3,500 the adverts software i.e. Make MODEL Description Price Crossword Answers. Contact details (Location). 1234567890 How much does it cost? £11.00 for 25 words or £22.00 for Across Down 50 words plus seller’s name, location, telephone number Drascombe DRIFTER 1970s, 6HP Yamaha out- 1 Main course 1 Mite and email address. (See website for non members’ rates.) board, GPS, VHF, Fish, spray hood & tent, sea 6 Owls 2 Imps How to pay: toilet, fully equipped. Braked trailer fully serviced. Topgallant Craftmanship Please pay by selecting the length and type of advert on the 9 3 webpage www.drascombe-association.org.uk/adverts – you €6,500 10 Blur 4 Unlit do not need a Paypal account to do this. We also accept 1234567890 12 Statistician 5 Sinusitis advert text and cheque payments by post but only as a last resort please, as they are time consuming to process and a 15 Best asset 7 Wellington Drascombe LUGGER 1972/3 Honnor Marine, potential source of errors. If you have to send a cheque but 17 Digit 8 Springtime if you can email the text, then please do so. They should be GRP, hank on jib, lifting rudder, cover. extra buoy- 18 Notes 11 Hidden sensor sent to: ancy, sailing condition. roadworthy trailer, can Misinform Abandoning send pictures, can deliver. 19 13 What you get: SOLD 20 Overinflated 14 Isothermal Adverts will be placed on the website on receipt of payment, £2,750 and will appear in the next DAN dependent on the copy 1234567890 24 1 amp 16 Semifinal deadline. Unless renewed by payment of another fee, ads 25 Enthusiast 21 Aches will appear in one edition of DAN and will be removed from 26 Gala 22 Saga the website when we are notified that the item has been sold or when the succeeding edition of DAN is published. 27 Close reach 23 Itch Things to note: PLEASE do let us know when your boat or other item is sold. This avoids unwanted emails and phone calls and saves unnecessary frustration for potential buyers. Please note that there is no advantage to advertising just prior to the DAN deadline as this means your advert will only appear on the website for a maximum of three months, and makes additional work for all concerned as we try to avoid DAN appearing with adverts for boats which have already Equipment For Sale been sold. Sale ads for goods valued up to £100 are FREE, but appear in DAN only. These should be sent direct to the DAN Editor. LUGGER SPRAY HOOD Tan , Windows, Frame ,Fittings, can email pictures / send by courier at Commercial adverts cost. Advertising rates (Per annum – four issues) £175 Full page £ 286; ½ page £ 154; 1/3 page £110; ¼ page £88 SOLD Please note that these prices are for full colour, which is 1234567890 available on all pages. There is no reduction for black and white artwork. Please send artwork and cheques payable to “Drascombe Association” to: Dinghy, GRP, length 7 foot, beam 4 foot, integral buoyancy. Scruffy but water tight and serviceable [email protected] Advertisements, private as tender. Including oars (new 2018). Scruffy, and trade, are accepted as a service to members. Inclusion of an functional launching trolley. £100. ONO. (Can advertisement does not imply endorsement by the Drascombe Association of any advertiser, their products or services. be carried on car roof rack, delivery possible by Members intending to spend substantial sums are advised to use negotiation.) a method of payment which gives some protection in the event of a problem. 1234567890 Hendrik Schloeman and Table Mountain sailing on Rietvlei.

58 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 59 Adverts Adverts

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60 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 61 Adverts Adverts

Books and DVDs to rent £4.00 monthly, plus £10* refundable deposit Sail South Till the Butter Melts by Geoff Stewart – an Atlantic adventure in a Drascombe Longboat Practical Dinghy Cruiser by Paul Constantine – advice, tips and experiences for those on a tight budget Australia the Hard Way by David Pyle – England to Australia 1969/70 in a wooden Lugger Dinghy Cruising by Margaret Dye – the enjoyment of wandering afloat DUNCAN'S Lugworm on the Loose by Ken Duxbury – sailing in Greece Lugworm Homeward Bound by Ken Duxbury – sequel to Lugworm on the Loose ScotlScotlandand ss Lugworm Island Hopping by Ken Duxbury – Lugger sailing in the Scillies and '' Open Boat – Across the Pacific by Webb Chiles – first successful Pacific crossing in an open boat The Ocean Waits by Webb Chiles – Longest non-stop open boat voyage ever recorded No.1No.1 11sstt ffoorr SSeervrvicicee Open Boat Cruising by John Glasspool – practical advice on preparation and cruising in small boats Why not pay us a visit A Sea Blue Boat (and a Sun God’s Island) by Ian Brook – Lugger sailing around Rhodes and see our vast range of 11sstt ffoorr VVaaluluee OPENING The Seagoing Drascombe by Hans Vandersmissen – first Drascombe manual by Dutch marine journalist Chandlery, Electronics, HOURS Mon - Fri 9am - 5.30pm Appuskidu Went Too by Douglas and Margaret Hopwood – an amazing account and wealth of experiences of a Baltic Inflatables, Outboards, 11sstt ffoorr CChhooicicee Sat 9am - 1pm(Sep-Feb) and St Petersburg adventure by car with a Drascombe Coaster in tow Clothing, Footwear, 9am - 4pm(Mar - Aug) Life Jackets, Buoyancy Aids 11sstt ffoorr AAddvvicicee PARKING and lots, lots more... FREE & EASY DVDs 11sstt ffoorr PPrricicee Parking in our own RYA Day Skipper and Competent Crew Car Park RYA Coastal Skipper RYA Understanding Navigation

All prices include inland p&p. Cheques payable to “The Drascombe Association”. *Deposit for library items on separate UNCAN DYACUHT NCHACNDLAERSN cheque please. D 7 Scotland Street, Glasgow G5 8NL Tel: 0141 429 6044 Fax: 0141 429 3078 Email: [email protected] www.duncanyacht.co.uk PayPal is our preferred method for foreign payments. An alternative (popular in Europe) is via BIC/IBAN Our bank details are BIC:LOYDGB21183 IBAN:GB50 LOYD 3098 6900 3558 75 Branch: TOTNES Name: THE DRASCOMBE ASSOCIATION

Aidan Williams, Email:[email protected]

Your Drascombe Boat. Our Specialism.

At Aston , our specialised Drascombe boat insurance comes with competitive premiums, comprehensive cover and low excesses. For further information please contact [email protected]

YOUR WORLD IS OUR FOCUS www.astonlark.com

Aston Lark Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

62 Drascombe Association News Drascombe Association News 63 Adverts Drascombe Lugger Sailing Almost 200 years of sailmaking expertise in the Greek Ionian Est.Est. 18321832

“… a brilliant holiday! The combination of a Lugger with the lovely Geni Garden was perfect” JJeckellseckells Buy British Buy Quality

Sail one of these iconic Luggers in the sun, based from our superb water's YEAR edge apartments. Take a dip in the sea CRUISING or the pool, enjoy the hospitality of the SAIL Tavernas, but above all just relax GUARANTEE

We’ve been making sails since 1832, so nobody knows more about sail design and production. We offer exceptional quality and service at an affordable price. www.dragondrascombe.com 07812 562579 The Sail Loft, Station Rd, Wroxham, NR12 8UT 01603 782223 [email protected] jeckells.co.uk

JECK357-DAN Mag - A4 - Drascombe Coaster.indd 1 03/12/2019 14:16 Adverts R. & J. SAILS Unit 2 (The Loft) New Road 42A Kenn Road CLEVEDON North Somerset BS21 6EW Dabbers to Drifters, Luggers to Coasters, Longboats to Drivers We have an extensive knowledge of all the Drascombe range. Individually made sails hand finished in the traditional style. Please contact us with your requirements.

Tel. 01275 343585 email [email protected] www.rjsails.co.uk On: facebook.com/RandJsails Also: Instagram.com randjsails

Drascombe by Churchouse Boats

At the time of writing this, nearly all the country are in Tier 4, and we would all have had the strangest Christmas and New Year that most will have ever known, however, we can only hope that 2021 will bring better things to all of us. In 2020 the only event which Drascombe was able to attend was the Sailability Conference in February, little did we know that Jersey Boat show, Falmouth Classics and then the Southampton Boat Show, would all be cancelled due to COVID 19.

Refurbishments still continue to go through the workshop, and because I am a manufacturer, I have been able to deliver and collect boats for customers, which has worked very well this year. Simon and I continue to be on the other end of the phone for help and advice, along with parcelling up spares to send to customers as far as Barbados, and a new Longboat going to Australia.

We hope that by the time this issue is in your hands, things will start getting back to some kind of normality for all. When you are able to, make the most of every opportunity you get, life is too short, grab your sailing gear and go sailing.

Sharon, Simon and all at CBL Drascombe Association News 67

We are your one stop shop for all Drascombe spares and accessories!

We can refurbish your old Drascombe within your budget!

If you have not already seen the new website, go to www.drascombe.uk

It is kept up to date with brokerage boats, as well as gradually we are putting more photos of spares and accessories for you to see, along with various canvas options.

The new D22 MkII is in the workshop, and we are looking forward to showing off the changes we are making.

Drascombe by Churchouse Boats Ltd

The Old Dairy, Broughton Down Farm, Nether Wallop, Hampshire SO20 8DS

Tele: 01794 301827 / 0781 373 1851

www.drascombe.uk Email: [email protected]

If undelivered please return to: The Drascombe Association, 8 Old Hall Gardens, Wellington, Shropshire, TF1 2NG www.drascombe-association.org.uk