Drascombe Driver

[Hank]

Last year I bought an old drascombe driver (cheap). Not being much of a sailor yet, I was wondering if anyone had any experience sailing one. It has a lug mainsail, a small mizzen and a jib, and has a 10HP inboord Vetus diesel. We put it in a coupla times last summer, but it seems to need more wind than there is on our small lakes in SW Ohio.

[wdscobie]

don't know the boat. found this 'generic' owner's manual for the Drascombe 'fleet' -

http://www.drascombe.nl/download/drascombe_handbk74.pdf

interesting 'snip' -

How is it possible for the Driver to get to windward like no other bilge keeler I know, yet draw only 13 inches of water, is my secret!

also found this post that shows the boat in a bit of wind (note the wind waves on the waves and the country flag on the mizzen). boat looks to be holding her own.

a couple of things 'generic' to small boats -

*weight and balance is important. make sure, when loaded, the boat is on her lines.
*the last Driver was built 35 years ago. are your sails original?
*bilge keelers are known for speed or windward ability.
* based on the inboard on such a small boat ... especially a open cockpit sailboat ... i doubt is she was designed to be 'quick'.