Drascombe

The word Drascombe is a trademark that was first registered by John Watkinson who applied it to a series of sailing boats which he designed and built in the period 1965-79 and sold in the United Kingdom (UK). They comprised the Coaster, Cruiser Longboat, Dabber, Drifter, Driver, Gig, Launch, Longboat, Lugger, Peterboat, Scaffie, Scaith and Skiff, together with a few other one-offs. They have wide and deep cockpits, adaptable boomless rigs and high bulwarks.

The word drascombe is also used as a generic term for any boat built to a design by John Watkinson. These include both 'the Drascombe range' build by Churchouse Boats and the 'Original Devon' range produced by Honnor Marine, which is not licensed to use the Drascombe trademark. The use of the word drascombe in lowercase on this page refers to the generic usage.

The Caboteur and Drifter 22 have been designed and built recently following the design principles developed by John Watkinson.

John Watkinson died in 1997 and the trademark is now owned by his surviving family.

Current licensees include Churchouse Boats and East West Custom Boats.

Past licensees include Honnor Marine; McNulty; John Elliott and Douglas Elliott Boatbuilders (licenced to build in wood); and Kelly and Hall, which built the original production Luggers in wood.