Drascombe Association

Welcome to the Drascombe Association

The Drascombe Association on the Web

The Drascombe Association is a group of of over 1000 enthusiasts dedicated to the traditional-style sailing boats designed by the late John Watkinson. Over 5000 Drascombes of all types have been built since the first Lugger was launched in 1966. They are all simple, rugged, and seakindly. (Scroll down this page for the Latest News, or click the photo to visit our Rally Galleries)


  • Departing SkelligsDeparting Skelligs
    Pat Jones ©2021
  • All the colours of the rainbowAll the colours of the rainbow
    Michael Corbett ©2022
  • LunchstopLunchstop
    Arthur Jones ©2022
  • All quiet in the cove, Baltimore, Aug-22.All quiet in the cove, Baltimore, Aug-22.
    Roy Johnston ©2022
  • Into the weatherInto the weather
    Mary Ratcliffe ©2021
  • Lugger passing Dromore Castle, Kenmare River, Aug-Lugger passing Dromore Castle, Kenmare River, Aug-
    Roy Johnston ©2021
  • Heading for HomeHeading for Home
    Dan Walsh ©2021
  • Homeward BoundHomeward Bound
    Mary Ratcliffe ©2021
  • The peace of the MediterraneanThe peace of the Mediterranean
    Robert Best ©2021
  • Sunset in Baltimore.Sunset in Baltimore.
    John Holden ©2022
  • Lunch stop Holy Island Lough Derg.Lunch stop Holy Island Lough Derg.
    John Holden ©2022
  • Cutting through the wavesCutting through the waves
    Neil Stainthorpe ©2021
  • Le Dabberben in BrittanyLe Dabberben in Brittany
    Pascal Potin ©2021
  • Sunrise on Lough ErneSunrise on Lough Erne
    Tony Wright ©2022
  • Child’s Play (daughter at the helm)Child’s Play (daughter at the helm)
    Neil Stainthorpe ©2021
  • Night falls on Holy LochNight falls on Holy Loch
    Mary Ratcliffe ©2022
  • The hills of MullThe hills of Mull
    Arthur Jones ©2022
  • Coaster Pax ,Mulroy Bay,Co DonegalCoaster Pax ,Mulroy Bay,Co Donegal
    Kim Roberts ©2022
  • Is it time to get up yet?Is it time to get up yet?
    Steve Porteous ©2022
  • Castle Gylen - A rarely accessed anchorageCastle Gylen - A rarely accessed anchorage
    Penny Excell ©2022
  • The arms race is getting out of hand.The arms race is getting out of hand.
    Kim Roberts ©2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


News:

Photo Competition 2025
The photo competition for 2025 is now open for entries and will remain open until 06/01/2026.
See here for more details."
Added by CM - 14/11/2025

Membership applications
The process for sending information to new DA members is changing. An email confirming your membership will be sent once your application is processed. The DA Handbook will now posted at the end of each month by our printing supplier direct to new members who joined during that month.
Added by DS - 20/10/2025

DAN155
The deadline for submissions for the next DAN is fast approaching. Please send your contributions to DANews@drascombe-association.org.uk
Added by DAN Editor - 15/10/2025

DA Vice-Chair
The committee elected Steve Rowley as their Vice Chair at a recent on-line meeting. Steve is also the DA East Area Rep.
Added by DS - 14/10/2025

Forum Access
Unfortunately we have been having a problem with a distributed denial of service (DDOS) attack on the forum.This was having a knock on impact on the rest of the website.
In order to reduce the impact of this we have, hopefully as a temporary measure, protected the forum with a username and password.
In order to access the forum you will need to enter the username "guest" and password "guest" when prompted by the pop up entitled "Sign In". This will give you non logged in access to the forum.
Following this, if you want to log in to the forum as yourself, for example to make a post, you will need to put your own personal username and password at the top of the forum page as usual.
Apologies for the inconvenience.
Added by CM - 03/09/2025

Gallery
Rally albums from 2015 are available to view under the Gallery tab.
The aim is to provide a selection of photos that give an impression of Drascombe Association Rallies to members and those considering joining.
Typically we try to limit photos to 10 per rally although this is not a hard limit.
If you have photos for either the website or the Drascombe Association News magazine please let us know.
Added by CM - 06/03/2023


Subscriptions
Membership of the DA runs for 12 months from the date of enrolment for new members who now join the association and the amount increased to £15 (UK) on 1st January 2012.
(Renewals are now automated for EU & World Applications and Renewals made after 7/12/13) and for those UK members who joined or renewed after 14/4/16 by Paypal or Go Cardless. Please check the membership secretary's reminder for more details.

Drascombe Association News

DAN is our quarterly hardcopy magazine, mailed out to members. It is written for and by the membership. Please see the guidelines for submitting articles and images for DAN.
(A Sample edited pdf Spring 2021 version is now available for non members; click the cover above to download.)

Website
Contributions (especially pictures or Owner's View items for the About Drascombes page) are always welcome and should be sent to Chris . Please see the guidelines for website submissions.


Books - Featured Book

Practical Dinghy Cruiser
Paul Constantine

Dinghy Cruising is a popular, practical activity, pursued by hundreds if not thousands of sailors. Surprisingly, there is no recognized, single style of craft specifically for this sport. Each person taking it up must find their own boat and then modify it to make it suitable for their own chosen undertaking. This book is the key to unlocking that whole experience, on a tight budget.