Important Note

To access the forum area please use Username: guest and Password: guest if prompted by a pop-up.
Once you see the proper forum login page use your normal, personal, username and password.
Sorry if this is complicated. It is in reaction to repeated denial of service attacks.

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)

News:

DA Administration
An implementation of Sailing Club Manager (SCM) by the DA is underway. SCM is used worldwide by more than 300 sailing organisations. It will improve and simplify the work of DA volunteers who keep our organisation functioning. In the meantime there could be disruption for new members trying to access the forum.
Added by DS - 28/03/2026

AGM Sun 22/3
The AGM was held as planned. Thank you to the 22 members who joined in.
Steve Rowley was elected as Chairman, and Julian Merson as Secretary.
The proposal to increase subscriptions from the start of 2027 was approved unanimously.
Added by DS - 23/03/2026

Photo Competition 2025
Thank you for voting and to Chris Mason our webmaster for organising. The results were announced at the AGM and will be published in the next edition of DAN.
Added by ds - 23/03/2026

DAN157
The deadline for submissions for the next DAN is 1st May 2026. Please send your contributions to DANews@drascombe-association.org.uk
Added by DS - 01/03/2026

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.