Wooden Drascombes
John Watkinson
The Scaith
John kept the "Peterboat" for some years, but decided to add to his stable of designs and go for something less radical so the plans were duly drawn up for the "Drascombe Scaith" a 15ft double ender. This was a completely open boat with a standing lug main sail on an unstayed mast, a small jib and a small offset mizzen sail with a bumkin. There was also an offset well at the stern to take a small (2hp) outboard motor.
The "Scaith" proved an immediate hit and quite a few were built , some painted, some varnished, many customised to the individual owners requirements.
John Watkinson by this time had bought a house at Noss Mayo on the River Yealm and had taken the role of Harbour Master. During this period, the "Scaith" was very much a dual purpose boat, a Harbour Master's workhorse and a sailor's pleasure boat. Not being one to stand still, after many, many, hours aboard, he decided he could improve on the hull shape of the "Scaith" His answer was a complete re-design, which although similar in many respects was actually a different boat.
The new design he decided to name "The Peterboat 4.5 metre" She had a bit better sea keeping qualities and a bit better performance, again she was a hit with the people and quite a few were built.
Last updated: 9 November, 2006
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