MIMI ON THE BLOCK: 15-foot 1977 Drascombe Dabber For Sale

I should have mentioned this earlier. I’m looking to find a good home for Mimi, my 15-foot Drascombe Dabber, as the sad truth is she hasn’t been used much in the past few years. This is a seaworthy open boat with positive flotation (Webb Chiles, you may recall, took a larger 18-foot sister vessel much of the way around the world) that has two rowing stations, a 5hp two-stroke outboard motor in a well, and a versatile gunter yawl rig. A great boat for Swallows-and-Amazons adventures, daysailing, camp-cruising, etc.

She comes complete with a trailer, two sets of oars, life-jackets, fog horn, fire extinguisher, and an anchor. Her hull is fiberglass with mahogany trim and she carries a galvanized steel centerboard plate. These iconic little boats are still being manufactured in the UK, where they currently sell for £12,150 new (or $18,905 US), and are hard to find over here in North America. I’m asking $5,400 (OBO) for this one. The boat overall is in good condition, with absolutely no crazing on the hull. The outboard (again, it’s a two-stroke—lighter and stronger than a four-stroke) is in very good condition. The trailer is a little ratty looking, but perfectly serviceable. I had it overhauled just a few years ago with new wiring, new hubs, and new wheels.

Mimi under full sail. I often sail her under the main alone when I don’t want to be bothered with rigging the jib and mizzen. Leave the rig off and she also makes a handy outboard skiff. She’s a bit heavy (550 pounds) for one person to row easily, but with two people rowing and one on the tiller she goes along very well

Mimi on her trailer. Everything stows easily inside the boat when she’s being hauled

This actually isn’t Mimi, but a sistership, so you can see the rig in a little more detail. The mainmast is lightly stayed with two shrouds and a headstay, all of which are lashed on by hand. No hardware required. The mast can be easily stepped by one person

Get in touch via the website if you’re interested. She’s going in the water soon and will be available for test sails here in Portsmouth, NH.