Drascombe Dabber Refurbishment

A few weeks ago we were contacted by a Drascombe owner, who said that she had a Drascombe Dabber, and was wondering what the cost to refurbish her would be, as she was very keen to get her on the water and learn to sail in her.

 

After a few exchanges of emails and telephone calls, Simon and I, along with Lauren and Kyle went to visit the owner, and give our opinion on suggested work and costing's.

 

Upon our arrival, we loved the setting of where the little Dabber was situated, just on the Thames with lots of places to take the boat too up and down river.

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, a broken mainmast is just one of the items which will be replaced.

 

Simon and Martin have been and collected her, and she will be coming into the workshop this week for us to start.

 

We will take photos and update through the refurb, as it will be lovey to see her once she is finished.

 

Also, it will give us a chance to show off what Martin and Simon can do with an old boat, to make them look appealing again.

 

 The Dabber is nearly ready to be delivered back

After a few weeks with us, the dabber is now nearly ready to be taken back to its owner.

When Simon and Martin bought the boat back to the yard, the first job was to give her a good clean all over, as she had been sat in the water for a very long time.

After a wash

Once she was cleaned up, Simon noticed that she was suffering from Osmosis, this is caused by the boat sitting for a very long time in the water, and not being taken out and cleaned. Sadly this meant that the work was going to be not as easy as first thought.

Osmosis on the bottom of the Dabber

Once we spoke the owner, our advice was to sand back the gel coat on the underwater part, and treat her with some specialist paint. The owner agreed to the work, so Martin was back working on the Dabber again.


It was lovely every time I went into the workshop, as I could see a difference in the boats appearance, you get a sense of achievement with the work carried out by Martin and Simon.

After several layers of paint

With the Dabber it is easier to work on, as it can be turned over in the workshop, rather than having to lie on the ground working.

New Keel plank added

We replaced the keel plank as the previous one had just rotted away. With the new antifoul being applied, the bottom of the boat looks like new now.

What a transformation, all what is left to apply now is the name, sadly the end of the day arrived, so Martin will apply the names just before she goes to her owner this week.


Just so you have an idea of the work carried out, this is the complete list of works.

• Supply and fit new mast
• Remove old mast thwart, fit and supply new mast thwart
• Rub down and treat all hull joinery
• Deep clean the hull and joinery
• Supply and fit new tiller extension
• New set of ropes
• Small gel coat repair
• One belaying pin
• Service Bilge pump
• New names
• New mast band
• New rigging
• Sand back gel coat and treat with specialist paint
• Supply and fit new keel plank

In early spring, we shall go up and rig her for the owner as well as launch her. Photos will be taken and put on here as a finish to this project.