I have had two Becky Thatchers. My Drascombe Scaffie brought me back to small craft sailing. But the first was also my first build. She was a 12 ft sailing skiff. Recently uncovered old slides and was happy to find this image... 24 years later. How about that paint job!
Hi Curt. Been following your blog for some time now and briefly traded comments with ya a couple of years back. I've recently located a Longboat Cruiser that I have the opportunity to buy. I'm hoping to gunk hole the rivers of the Chesapeake and inshore North Carolina during my upcoming retirement. I realize these boats have limitation, or shall I say "peculiarities" with their rudders in shallow waters (I think you had once referred to as "it's a Drascombe thing"). I have read of rudder travails on the Drascombe UK site. Steerage with a sculling oar seems to be the solution for thin water sailing. I was wondering if you would share your feelings on the use of these boats in these conditions by a novice sailor. Regards, John M in WS, NC
ReplyDeleteJohn,
ReplyDeleteI have, through practice, gotten quite comfortable with the rudder and sculling oar. It took a while but is not hard. I do encourage you to sail the Longboat Cruiser and go through the drill a couple times. It will inform you quickly. The take away for me is that the more I sail Annie, the happier I am! If you want more advice or specific info... just let me know.