I hired one of these for a trip from St.Mawes across Falmouth Bay to the Helford. It was top of a 4, gusting 5 with some white horses but the boat behaved beautifully. I was very impressed.
Have you looked at Huntingford's Helm Impeder ? Also how do you deal with the keyhole rudder in shallow water as it is the one thing that has put me off Coasters.
Hi Tom, I will look at the Helm Impeder. The rudder design has never posed any problems for me (Coaster, Longboat, Lugger, Gig), mainly because I am rarely in shallow water. When approaching a beach, I lift the rudder up and prop it vertically in place: coming in with the outboard which also needs to be lifted smartly before catching the sea bed. A less hectic method is to ship the rudder entirely, laying it on the side bench, and make the final approach under oars.
Thanks very much Sumo. I'm not sure that I sail it hugely efficiently, but I do quite like tweaking sheets. I replaced some of the original sails with a R&J Sails high peak mainsail (with boom), and a long footed mizzen, both of which I feel help the boats performance. Popular opinion amonst the Drascombe community suggests the original sail plan is as good as any though.
Hello Piotr. Yes, the bowsprit is there to set an outer jib to (I also have a 20m2 storm jib). When correctly set I suppose the outer jib adds a tiny bit of speed. It's mainly because I like messing around with sails - fun. But the idea was partly to use the inner jib (semi furled Genoa) as a balancing sail for self steering , with the other 3 sails trimmed correctly; it is not bad at this and more simple than the other 'sheet to tiller' self steering method I like. And then there is running downwind with twin headsails poled out. Experimantation!
Thanks for this . Enjoyed it a lot. Da Vinci Resolve is good free video editing software that does a little more than Power Director without being too complex
I've been chatting to mates about the sailing abilities of a Coaster and armed with much respected, but slightly different opinions about sailing in a good blow, may i ask; Do YOU furl in the headsail and mizzen, put a tuck in the main and lift the centerplate up two thirds. Or, do you take down the main and sail on a reduced jib and mizzen. I've tried both ways and now favour much respected advice, which seems to be correct, but many of the yachtsmen in the club dissagree and suggest i keep the plate down and sail on option 2. Drascombes don't seem to sail like dinghys, many of which are styled to race, neither do they sail like small cruising yachts.
Hi Sumo Bear, I like to keep the jib and mizzen in use (for a start, for manœuvrability in going about), and reduce the mainsail to 2 reefs. It has happened rarely that I've dropped the main altogether. By myself, sailing upwind in around 15kts true, I will be double reefed and with some rolls in the jib and mizzen. I also have a storm jib but it has never been used for real. I am aware there are those who favour the mainsail alone in windy conditions; I must try this myself.
Thanks Neil, My gut feeling was to sail with a reduced jib and mizzen and no main when beating to windward in a good blow, however when off the coast although i' lost some degree of direction using only a reefed main with the centerplate lifted 2 thirds, willow is a more stable platform and easier to predict. I would probably switch from one sail plan to another depending whether i was at sea or in a river where i needed greater manoeuvrability.
gerade bei kleineren booten fühlt man das, was bei grossen schnell verlorengeht...das besondere segelfeeling...durch mehr arbeit, nähe am wasser, intensiver am wind und ganz andere bewegung unter segel.
@@neilparks2651 ...oder magst du lieber große yachten, so 3 zimmer, küche, diele , bad ? als ich von rollo gebhards reise über den atlantik gelesen habe, war ich doch erstaunt. sein boot damals war nur 5 m lang...why not
@@neilparks2651 ich bin kein handwerker. habe 1993 mein 1.boot gebaut.5,65m lang, 1,85m breit.mit kabine. das einzige segelboot mit mast im heck, was je von menschen gebaut wurde...1997 wurde es gestohlen, als ich für 15 jahre nach thailand ging. nun baue ich ein hausboot: 4m lang 2 m breit. 2 kojen, brücke, galley und sitzplatz für 2 personen = 1 notschlafplatz. das einzige boot mit bremse und bugsteuerung...könntest du mir helfen kommen ? kost und logis frei...in reil/ mosel refugium thanatcha.gute nacht.
Vielen Dank für Ihr Angebot, es klingt sehr interessant, aber ich bin selbst fleißig am Arbeiten. Ich kenne Thailand ein bisschen und habe auch 10 Jahre am Südchinesischen Meer gearbeitet! Viel Glück mit Ihrem Projekt
Yep, tinkering the self steering is a thing, books were written on that. It can be pretty complicated. Some "facts" (longkeelers are easier, here) appeared to be not the absolute truth. A modern keel and rudder can be just as good, if you know how things work. Your own weight has a lot of influence, it is a small ship after all. Sitting near the "center of gravity" is good for easier going through waves: your weight does no longer slow down all movements of the hull. Many yacht owners have no idea about these racing thumb rules. They leave a heavy anchor and the outboard engine at the worst possible spots. Get them on the cabin floor, well secured, and you'll win maybe a knot in speed. Take them out when you need them! And get away from that transom. Buy a long tiller extension. Sit down right behind the cockpit, why not? You should never block the tiller, because you sit in the most awkward spot there is. Really, these people still exist, no clue what they are doing to themselves. Absolute beginners, after decades of sailing. Miracle how they survived. Such things do make a huge difference. For most boats, lifting the centerboard a bit, helps steering at many courses. In a Standard Laser for example, in a lot of wind, the centerboard trim can be the difference between capsizing or keeping control. Each boat is different, though, you need to be careful, rolling will change, when you change the centerboard angle. So, yes, sometimes you keep weaving.
Interesting to read your comments, thanks. I'm aware of the points you raise, and even admit to occasionally making some effort to put them into practice! Racing I've tried a few times but it's not particularly my thing, except one multi day sailing race involving running up and down mountains whiuch was particularly memorable. But yep, knowing how to get that bit of extra speed from the boat is important at times, and falls under the heading 'seamanship' - making a tidal gate, being able to get swiftly to port, for a variety of possible reasons (last orders).... Sheet to tiller steering should work on most sailing craft if the system is set up correctly I think. It worked well for me on a Folk Boat (long keel) I used to have, and it worked well for Slocum aboard Spray (not particularly long or deep keeled) on his three year odyssey.
Thanks John, appreciate your comments. Normaly, I try to limit my waffling. There's plenty of talk on my 'Below Decks' video, if that's your sort of thing!
Nice video!! (I remember Little Egret moored in Santander some years ago)
That was an exciting adventure, and a lovely video account of it, thanks Neil! I like your style of cruising. Keep it up!
Thank you so much Tony.
Beautiful sailing. I love sailing at night, actually I even rather sail at night and see the sunrise is awesome.
It certainly is, with everything coverd in dew, or at times salt water even!
Another great video Neil. Makes me want to do a coastal passage to Dartmouth etc. I hope the dinghy was OK!
The dingy survived, but I hereby own up to sloppy practice.
I hired one of these for a trip from St.Mawes across Falmouth Bay to the Helford. It was top of a 4, gusting 5 with some white horses but the boat behaved beautifully. I was very impressed.
Yep, they cope well with a bit of weather, despite the low freeboard.
Thank you very much. Santander, the very same Little Egret?
Was relaxing. I pretended I was out there in my SCAMP. Taa much!
Ta for the comment
October? What a lovely day :)
Yes, late October.
What a lovely little ship :)
Thank you very much!
Have you looked at Huntingford's Helm Impeder ? Also how do you deal with the keyhole rudder in shallow water as it is the one thing that has put me off Coasters.
Hi Tom, I will look at the Helm Impeder. The rudder design has never posed any problems for me (Coaster, Longboat, Lugger, Gig), mainly because I am rarely in shallow water. When approaching a beach, I lift the rudder up and prop it vertically in place: coming in with the outboard which also needs to be lifted smartly before catching the sea bed. A less hectic method is to ship the rudder entirely, laying it on the side bench, and make the final approach under oars.
Superb video as usual, My coaster doesn't seem to sail as well as yours, makes me wonder what the problem is? lol
Who said its me!!!!!!!!!
Thanks very much Sumo. I'm not sure that I sail it hugely efficiently, but I do quite like tweaking sheets. I replaced some of the original sails with a R&J Sails high peak mainsail (with boom), and a long footed mizzen, both of which I feel help the boats performance. Popular opinion amonst the Drascombe community suggests the original sail plan is as good as any though.
Very nice trip. I just wondering if you use extra sail on front ? You have bowsprit on the front. It yes , it is better speed ?
Hello Piotr. Yes, the bowsprit is there to set an outer jib to (I also have a 20m2 storm jib). When correctly set I suppose the outer jib adds a tiny bit of speed. It's mainly because I like messing around with sails - fun. But the idea was partly to use the inner jib (semi furled Genoa) as a balancing sail for self steering , with the other 3 sails trimmed correctly; it is not bad at this and more simple than the other 'sheet to tiller' self steering method I like. And then there is running downwind with twin headsails poled out. Experimantation!
Thanks for this . Enjoyed it a lot. Da Vinci Resolve is good free video editing software that does a little more than Power Director without being too complex
Thanks very much for your comment, and suggestion Stu.
I've been chatting to mates about the sailing abilities of a Coaster and armed with much respected, but slightly different opinions about sailing in a good blow, may i ask;
Do YOU furl in the headsail and mizzen, put a tuck in the main and lift the centerplate up two thirds.
Or, do you take down the main and sail on a reduced jib and mizzen.
I've tried both ways and now favour much respected advice, which seems to be correct, but many of the yachtsmen in the club dissagree and suggest i keep the plate down and sail on option 2.
Drascombes don't seem to sail like dinghys, many of which are styled to race, neither do they sail like small cruising yachts.
Hi Sumo Bear, I like to keep the jib and mizzen in use (for a start, for manœuvrability in going about), and reduce the mainsail to 2 reefs. It has happened rarely that I've dropped the main altogether. By myself, sailing upwind in around 15kts true, I will be double reefed and with some rolls in the jib and mizzen. I also have a storm jib but it has never been used for real. I am aware there are those who favour the mainsail alone in windy conditions; I must try this myself.
Thanks Neil, My gut feeling was to sail with a reduced jib and mizzen and no main when beating to windward in a good blow, however when off the coast although i' lost some degree of direction using only a reefed main with the centerplate lifted 2 thirds, willow is a more stable platform and easier to predict. I would probably switch from one sail plan to another depending whether i was at sea or in a river where i needed greater manoeuvrability.
@@sumobear2031 OK, enjoy your experimentation!
gerade bei kleineren booten fühlt man das, was bei grossen schnell verlorengeht...das besondere segelfeeling...durch mehr arbeit, nähe am wasser, intensiver am wind und ganz andere bewegung unter segel.
Ach ja, schön und naturnah. Danke für deinen Kommentar
@@neilparks2651 ...oder magst du lieber große yachten, so 3 zimmer, küche, diele , bad ?
als ich von rollo gebhards reise über den atlantik gelesen habe, war ich doch erstaunt. sein boot damals war nur 5 m lang...why not
Oh nein, ich bin ein Fan von Small- und Low-Tech
@@neilparks2651 ich bin kein handwerker. habe 1993 mein 1.boot gebaut.5,65m lang, 1,85m breit.mit kabine. das einzige segelboot mit mast im heck, was je von menschen gebaut wurde...1997 wurde es gestohlen, als ich für 15 jahre nach thailand ging. nun baue ich ein hausboot: 4m lang 2 m breit. 2 kojen, brücke, galley und sitzplatz für 2 personen = 1 notschlafplatz. das einzige boot mit bremse und bugsteuerung...könntest du mir helfen kommen ? kost und logis frei...in reil/ mosel refugium thanatcha.gute nacht.
Vielen Dank für Ihr Angebot, es klingt sehr interessant, aber ich bin selbst fleißig am Arbeiten. Ich kenne Thailand ein bisschen und habe auch 10 Jahre am Südchinesischen Meer gearbeitet! Viel Glück mit Ihrem Projekt
Yep, tinkering the self steering is a thing, books were written on that. It can be pretty complicated. Some "facts" (longkeelers are easier, here) appeared to be not the absolute truth. A modern keel and rudder can be just as good, if you know how things work. Your own weight has a lot of influence, it is a small ship after all. Sitting near the "center of gravity" is good for easier going through waves: your weight does no longer slow down all movements of the hull. Many yacht owners have no idea about these racing thumb rules. They leave a heavy anchor and the outboard engine at the worst possible spots. Get them on the cabin floor, well secured, and you'll win maybe a knot in speed. Take them out when you need them! And get away from that transom. Buy a long tiller extension. Sit down right behind the cockpit, why not? You should never block the tiller, because you sit in the most awkward spot there is. Really, these people still exist, no clue what they are doing to themselves. Absolute beginners, after decades of sailing. Miracle how they survived. Such things do make a huge difference. For most boats, lifting the centerboard a bit, helps steering at many courses. In a Standard Laser for example, in a lot of wind, the centerboard trim can be the difference between capsizing or keeping control. Each boat is different, though, you need to be careful, rolling will change, when you change the centerboard angle. So, yes, sometimes you keep weaving.
Interesting to read your comments, thanks. I'm aware of the points you raise, and even admit to occasionally making some effort to put them into practice! Racing I've tried a few times but it's not particularly my thing, except one multi day sailing race involving running up and down mountains whiuch was particularly memorable. But yep, knowing how to get that bit of extra speed from the boat is important at times, and falls under the heading 'seamanship' - making a tidal gate, being able to get swiftly to port, for a variety of possible reasons (last orders).... Sheet to tiller steering should work on most sailing craft if the system is set up correctly I think. It worked well for me on a Folk Boat (long keel) I used to have, and it worked well for Slocum aboard Spray (not particularly long or deep keeled) on his three year odyssey.
Nice vid. Would have appreciated a bit more commentary during passage. Subbed.
Thanks John, appreciate your comments. Normaly, I try to limit my waffling. There's plenty of talk on my 'Below Decks' video, if that's your sort of thing!
Great video -- but that poor dinghy getting dragged on recovery!
Thank you. The dingy...I know, I should have done better.