The
first Drascombes were built in the mid 1960s and an Association of owners
was formed in the early 1970s which flourished for a few years and then died
when its founders moved on to other things. While the Association lay dormant,
Drascombes continued to multiply and, from the late 1970s on, groups of owners
in various parts on the United Kingdom and abroad (notably the Netherlands
and the United States) got together and held rallies. The success of these
rallies led to a movement to re-form the Association and this happened in
early 1987. It was an immediate success, with over 100 owners joining on
formation, a number which has steadily increased to around 1,650 members
today.
The objectives of the Association, as defined in the Rules, are as follows:
"To promote and further the interests of the members throughout the world and
in particular:
- To publish the Drascombe Association News.
- to encourage the dissemination of information regarding members improvements to, adjustments of, and innovations affecting Drascombes.
- to encourage the holding of rallies of Drascombes, and social events for members.
- to help any owner of a Drascombe to get more enjoyment from his boat.
- to promulgate information of technical development within the Drascombe class.
- to keep a members register."
A lively and informative magazine, Drascombe Association News, is published in February, May, August and November each year and sent to members. This contains articles of technical and general interest contributed by members as well as news and information of events organised by the Association.
Weekend rallies and longer cruises-in-company are a feature of the Association with at least a dozen such events being held at coastal and inland locations in the United Kingdom and Ireland each season. Close contact is maintained with groups in France and the Netherlands enabling members also to take part in events on the mainland of Europe.
The Association sells (to members only) books and other items associated with Drascombes and seeks out suppliers producing clothing, jewellery, etc., of interest to members. Details of what is available are published in each issue of the magazine.
The management of the Association is in the hands of a Committee elected each year at the Annual General Meeting. The Committee is composed of a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity Officer, and members representing the geographical areas of the UK and Ireland.
How to Join Membership is open to any person who owns, sails in, or is in any other way interested in Drascombes. On payment of the first annual subscription, each new member receives copies of the current years issues of the magazine together with an index of the articles published in earlier issues (which can be provided for a nominal charge), a register of members, a copy of the Association rules and a membership sticker. Thereafter, the quarterly magazine keeps the member advised of Association affairs.
The subscription is £10.00 or €16.00 for members living in Europe, and £13.00 or US$25.00 (which includes the cost of airmailing magazines) for members living outside Europe.
For those with UK bank accounts, this is payable by Bank Standing Order.
Members without UK bank accounts are asked to pay by means of PayPal in pounds sterling, US dollars or Euros.
Opening a PayPal account is comparatively
straight forward online at www.paypal.com State
that you want to pay the “Drascombe Association” and
quote the email address:
If you'd like to become a member, or find out more, please print out, fill in, and return our Membership Form (UK/£) or Membership Form (Euro) or contact us.
NB: If you print out the membership form, please ensure that it prints
on one sheet of paper. The Banks cannot accept forms that run over
two sheets.