Drascombe Golden Jubilee rally, 7-9 July 2017



The Drascombe fleet working its way from Portland across to Lulworth Cove.  I think Daisy II is the left hand boat in the foreground.  It was becoming quite loppy by that stage

This rally was in celebration of fifty years of Drascombes.  The first, Katharine Mary, was built and launched by the late John Watkinson in 1967.  I wasn't going to miss this large gathering of Drascombes, organised by Churchouse Boats.  

39.8nm  Red track was from 7th July - the trip to Lulworth Cove.  The yellow track was a bit of fun racing in Portland Harbour followed by free sailing in and around Weymouth Bay.

Safe launching at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.  Why don't they have slipways like this on the east coast...?




Friday July 7th; trip to Lulworth Cove

Drifter Pellew on the trip to Lulworth Cove

Pellew and Daisy II on the final stretch into Lulworth Cove

Daisy II on the right and a large section of the fleet.



The Dorset Jurassic Coast

Anchored in Lulworth Cove

Drascombers at rest!!

Leaving Lulworth Cove

Berthed at WPNSA

A land trip up to the top of Portland, looking back north towards the harbour, Chesil Beach and Weymouth.

Berthing view

Saturday - sailing in Portland Harbour and Weymouth Bay

Drascombe manouevres - technically a race with no wind!



Occasionally, a puff of wind filled a portion of the sail

More racing!



After 'racing' I sailed out of the harbour and round to Weymouth Bay. 

Drascombe rafts in Weymouth Bay

Coaster Virginia which featured, under its former ownership, in these pages on one of my summer cruises.

And here are the pictures of what it's all about.  The first Drascombe, lugger Katharine Mary restored by Churchouse Boats.

Katharine Mary, fifty years young...!

Your author with beer before supper

Another first for me - the Drascombe Service on the final morning, prior to departure and the return 5 hour road trip!