Drascombe Luggar

The Drascombe Luggar is an open fibre glass boat and is approximately 5 mt long, 1.9mt wide and weights about 340kg. It has a Ketch Rig with a Gaff rigged main sail, a furling jib and a small mizzen sail, totaling about 12.26 sq mt. It has a heavy steel centre plate and will float in about 150mm of water with the plate raised and then needs over 1mt with the plate down. It also has a heavy steel rudder.

The main sail is loose footed and does not have a boom, so removing the problems associated with an accidental gybe. It is basically a very simple rig, with wooden spars, blocks and ropes holding it all together and the overall purpose of this boat is not about giving an exceptional sailing performance, but to be a safe, stable seaworthy open boat that is suitable for all the family, capable of taking up to five people at a time. It is equally at home pottering about in the bay with young children on board, or undertaking more adventurous trips and picnics to the nearby islands etc. It is fitted with oars so it can be rowed and a 4hp outboard motor so you also have an engine to get you home if the wind dies. A swim ladder and cool box are also provided as well as lifejackets for everyone on board, and a local chart of the immediate area.

In Croatia we have a few of these Luggars which can be taken for three days at a time in conjunction with local apartments, so that anybody staying ashore can still get out on the water for a few days, while also having a conventional shore based apartment holiday. They are only to be used in the immediate area and islands to the North of Murter and the large enclosed area of water between Murter and the mainland down as far as Tisno. This gives a large indented sailing area up to ten miles long, two to three miles wide and with plenty of small islands to visit and explore, while still offering all round shelter if you should get strong winds or rough seas. They must be returned to the same location on the town quay or marina where they are based every evening.

Please select any photo below to see pictures or to start the slide show

This photo shows a Drascombe with just one person sailing nicely on a beam reach.
This photo shows the Drascombe alongside with the Mizzen raised and main gaff lowered. The jib then is on a simple furling mechanism at the bow.
A fully complement on board
This photo taken from the stern shows that the Drascombe is capable of taking up to five people and is suited to those of all ages, with three generations making up this crew
In a gust you can just release the main sheet and it will flap as in this photo but with no boom to hit your head
This shows the loose footed main set on a reach
Two Drascombes having fun together
With the sails down the Drascombe can be used just like any small motor boat, ideal for getting home if the wind drops
This photo shows the main sail Reefed. To do this you simply roll up the foot of the sail and transfer the main sheet to a new Cringle located on the Clew. Normally in a blow then you would lower the Gaff for sailing, but we have just left it at full height for demonstration purposes in this photo.
This photo shows the Clew of the Main sail attached to the main sheet and you can clearly see that there is no boom. The main sheet is attached to a ring which can slide from side to side on a simple traveler located aft of the rudder and this provides all the main sail control
The Mizzen Sail is attached to an un stayed wooden Mizzen mast and the sail held out via a line attached to a bumpkin pole that projects out the from the stern. The raised outboard motor can also be seen in the outboard well at the back
This Drascombe is just setting sail and the helm is checking that the centre plate is fully lowered
This shows the helmsman controlling both the tiller and the main sheet

The Luggars have been built in the UK since the late 1960's and the Drascombes have become a hugely successful brand with a Drascombe association that boasts over 5000 members that meet up for regular rallies etc through out the UK and Ireland. You can find out a lot more if you visit the Drascombe association web site at www.drascombe-association.org.uk.