In the olden days, our Drascombes were identified (most of the time) by a number stamped in the bronze stem-head. Honnor Marine did this up until the time when they went bankrupt & ceased to build Drascombes. I have the data to relate number to year build, if anyone needs it. To my knowledge, none of the builders of wooden Drascombes used such a system so dating them needs the original paperwork.
These days, all that has changed! As a part of the Recreational Craft Directive all boats have been obliged to have a Hull Identification Number permanently stamped/etched into the hull (twice: once on the transom & once concealed elsewhere on the boat). Thus, if you buy a new Drascombe, it will have a number like this:
GB-CHULU015H303
This tells you it is:
GB Made in Great Britain CHU By Churchouse Boats Ltd LU015 A serial number created by the builder. On Drascombes, the two letters denote the type, the 3 numbers are consecutive serial numbers. H Made in August: A = January, etc. 3 Made in 2003 03 This part is known as the model year.
There has been some confusion over the model year. For some time, it was interpreted as the year the model was designed (or last altered) but, in fact, it is a carry over from the motor industry. It allows for new models to be built & stockpiled in one year for launch & sale the next. You will find it, for example, on the Earls Court Boat Show display boats where they will have been built in the previous year for display & sale in January.
Stewart Brown
© 2002 and 2003 Stewart Brown
| If you want to find out the age of your boat, send Churchouse
Boats an e.mail with your stemhead number & they will look it up
on their charts. |
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