Cruising Dragon Layout?

[Duncan Gibbs]

Some of you (like Mickey Lake) may already know I've "purchased" a classic Dragon called Looe that was rotting on it's mooring on the Pittwater in Sydney and hauled it 830km up to Northern New South Wales. I have a thread about its resto' on the Wooden Boat Forum:

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread. ... ry-of-Looe)

But I think I'll come here for specialist advice beyond basic hull and deck construction issues.

Not having any other Dragons on the Tweed (I think a small fleet is taking shape in Brisbane and hour and a half's drive north) I'm more interested in the idea of having a vessel that will be able to be cruised on short coastal hops, but still be able to be stripped back for serious competition when we take her down to Sydney, or Melbourne. The hidden, and major, agenda is to ensure that I have as much positive buoyancy built into the boat as possible.

I understand that Anker originally drew an accommodation plan for the Dragon that was pretty basic, yet still had the fundamental characteristics of a cruising yacht.

Did I say I'd like to try and make my cockpit self draining?

Has anyone tried creating, or seen such a Dragon?

Cheers

[trw999]

Hi Duncan

I may be able to help with the interior layout. Last year I was given a set of photographs of Laju K74. She is a 1933 Alhomens Batvara Dragon that was lovingly restored over seven years to a very high standard by Kevin Boyd and Sonia Callaway to original lines, complete with berths, cabinets and table.

It strikes me that you may have a problem incorporating everything into your Dragon that you wish and for it to be competitive! However, I wish you good luck. Please e-mail me at [email protected] and I shall be happy to send you some of the photographs.

Tim

[Duncan Gibbs]

Thanks Tim! Email being sent after I reply here.

The Tweed River in Northern NSW isn't exactly a hotbed of Dragons. In fact I dare say this will be the only one for about 180km either side of the river. It will mainly be raced in the local club meets against a mixed fleet and cruising. But the idea is that if I take her to proper Dragon events the excess bits can be stripped out and stored onshore. I'll be interested to see you photo's. There is another boat down in on the Gippsland Lakes in Victoria which has the proper cabin and the owner is going to send me some shots as well. He told me he has a launching trailer as well, which would be a very useful thing!