Wooden Drascombe

Egeria

The design, construction and first sail of a one-off wooden Drascombe.

I suppose I had been literally so close to the boat until then that I wasn't prepared for my reaction when I first saw Egeria on the water. I'd driven from Inverness to Findhorn for a morning's acceptance trials with Norman Whyte. He'd put her on a mooring overnight and she floated alone on the water, a little above her marks, varnish and brass shining, her sheer line culminating in a cheeky bumpkin. Until that moment I had hunched over detailed drawings or clambered over her in the workshop as she grew from a pile of timber and shavings. Now I stood and viewed her against the sea and the sky, waiting to please - and she did. So much so that Norman got a warm and unexpected embrace from me - the boy done brilliant!

CONCEPT

When I began to think of a new Drascombe after owning the Coaster Evgenia for 5 years, two main considerations dictated the design. Without departing too far from the overall size and accommodation of a coaster, I wanted an inboard engine and I wanted a cabin unencumbered by a centre board case.

I had admired the shapes of the small local double-ended fishing boats I'd seen when sailing Evgenia in Spain. I also knew from experience the steadiness and maneuverability of inboard launches with long keels and a propeller ahead of the rudder.

Without a centreboard case I felt that a Coaster size cabin would be much more comfortable. For my personal trailer-sailing needs the drifter was too heavy so, based on the Driver, a unique new Drascombe was conceived.

DESIGN

The freedom of a one-off build allowed me to retain all the desirable features of previous boats and incorporate a number of individual preferences. I chose Norman Whyte to build Egeria; after seeing his brochure and meeting him and Lynn at their workshop on the bay at Findhorn I knew from the start that they were the couple I could work with and had full confidence in the result.

Norman has an agreement with John Watkinson to use John's hull and construction designs with deck and cabin variations to suit customers. Norman was responsible for the fairness and structural integrity of the boat, working to John's Driver lines and Longboat construction plans. I had enormous fun and satisfaction defining the deck and cabin layout, the general arrangement of the engine and the sail plan.

BUILD

Egeria was set up, inverted, over her bulkheads for laminating the stern, keelson and stern and for planking to the deck line using Bruynzeel ply, iroko, Oregon pine and WEST epoxy. While inverted, the keel, ventral fins and propeller aperture were laminated and glass cloth applied below the waterline.

Once he had turned her over, Norman fitted the decks, added the sheer strake, constructed the cabin interior and completed the "engine room" details.

I visited Findhorn six times in all and at this stage, Frank, my tallest crew, joined me to check that the berths were long enough! In fact, although we agreed some details as work progressed neither Norman nor I had to ask for any design changes.

Construction was completed with the cabin top, numerous deck details and spars. I have delightful memories of Norman's workshop: the evening sun lighting the bare wood; the productive untidiness at the day's end; the smell of the shavings and resin; the purpose built tools, gear and equipment and watching over it all, Lynn in her mezzanine office. All this just twenty feet from the water.

HULL & DECK

The 18' Driver hull has been drawn out beyond the transom to protect the rudder, carry the bumpkin and increase deck space. The navy-blue topsides contrast with a varnished mahogany transom board. The grey, non-slip deck is sheathed in glass cloth and features a Samson post and two quarter bollards. Both the foredeck and the cabin deck drain overboard to avoid wet bottoms from that irritating deluge of water into the cockpit from the bow. Three brass portholes and varnished sides set off the cabin top which carries the tabernacle, ventilator, hand rails and sprayhood moulding.

The companionway is slightly to port and is closed by a hatch and hinged doors. I asked Norman for a sturdy, workman-like boat and only "yachty" features I wanted were the bright finish doors - he has done a delightful job on these. The deck fittings are simple and hand made, including thole pins and a handsome, laminated tiller. Under the bridge deck lives Henry (the green engine), The cockpit has pine floorboards and open fronted lockers. There is a single aft locker. Effectively, if you compare Egeria with a Coaster she is a foot shorter forward, with the cabin tucked under the fore deck, and a foot shorter aft

ACCOMMODATION

Although the cabin roof is shorter than the Coaster, the interior is the same size. It has a combination of bright finished wood, satin finish white paint and blue p.v.c. Stowage is under the bridge deck and bunks, and forward of the births. The uninterrupted floor provides legroom and an impression of space. The after portion of the port berth cushion is removable to allow a work surface.

A white p.v.c. sprayhood is attached to a moulded rail over the cabin roof and supports a hooped tent over the deck to the inner transom. The maximum headroom is in the companionway to ease access.

UNDERWAY

We agreed an acceptance trials before delivery and although the wind was light on the day and the waters of Findhorn Bay were smooth, a good, three hour sail and motor were accomplished. Egeria handles confidently under power; the starter, lights, throttle and gear are all to hand on the aft face of the bridge deck. There is ample power and she steers precisely when going astern; she also starts by hand.

The open Driver has a large , lug main set on a 7 1/2 degree rake mast to leave the boat clear. Egeria needed a smaller main, on a 2 degree rake and, to compensate the loss of area, a larger jib and mizzen. I have always been impressed by the set and power of the Dabber main since owning Wagtail in the 70's. I often see Dabbers beating Luggers off the wind. So I drew a sail plan with a Dabber main, Longboat mizzen and special jib. Initial sailing impressions from the short trial were very favourable. Everything seemed to work as expected and the excitement, pleasure and satisfaction of being at the helm, on the water at last, were unmarred

CONCLUSION

Now she's at home, on the drive, under her winter cover and I have a long list of planned additions to look forward to. After working-up at a secret location at Easter, Egeria will be appearing in the South West, on the East Coast and in Scotland in 1995. Look out for us!

Steve Schlemmer.

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Last updated: 4 December, 2006

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