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Drascombe Longboat
Designer: John L. Watkinson  ·  Builder: Honner Marine Ltd. (Uk)  ·  First built: 1971
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About the Drascombe Longboat

Designed by John L. Watkinson in 1971, this classic British coastal cruiser has earned a devoted following among sailors who appreciate traditional character combined with practical versatility. The Longboat's gaff-rigged ketch configuration and centerboard design make it an excellent choice for shallow-water exploration and coastal cruising, while its relatively light 1,100-pound displacement keeps it manageable for small crews or single-handed sailing. Built by Honner Marine Ltd. in the UK, approximately 600 of these distinctive boats have found homes worldwide over five decades of production. The fiberglass construction ensures durability while maintaining the classic lines that define the Drascombe aesthetic. With a comfort ratio of 7.36, the Longboat strikes a balance between stability and performance, making it well-suited for protected waters and moderate coastal conditions. The boat's shallow 4.16-foot draft opens up countless anchorages and allows for beach launching, a hallmark of the Drascombe philosophy. Its 169 square feet of sail area provides adequate power for leisurely coastal passages, while the ketch rig offers flexible sail handling options. This is an ideal boat for sailors seeking traditional character, shoal-water capability, and the charm of gaff-rigged sailing in a manageable package.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 21.75 ft / 6.63 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 17.50 ft / 5.33 m
Beam 6.58 ft / 2.01 m
Max Draft 4.16 ft / 1.27 m
Min Draft 1.00 ft / 0.30 m
Displacement 1,100.00 lb / 499 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 169.00 ft² / 15.70 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard (Trunk)
Rigging Type Gaff head Ketch
Construction FG
Designer John L. Watkinson
Builder Honner Marine Ltd. (UK)
First Built 1971
Number Built 600
Associations Drascombe Association
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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 25.42
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 91.63
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 7.36
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 2.55
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 5.61 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 411.44 pounds/inch
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