Drascombe Scaffie Buyer's Guide
The Drascombe Scaffie has been in production in the U.K. since 1978 and remains a recognizable small trailer-sailer for the shallow-water explorer. On the used market it is an open 14-foot 9-inch boat of 462 lbs with a boomless lug rig, aimed at daysailing, rowing, and gentle pottering rather than cruising liveaboard. A buyer should understand its simplicity before viewing: there is no cabin, and the appeal lies in the uncluttered interior and documented flotation security.
Layouts on the Used Market
The Scaffie is offered as a single open layout — two wooden rowing thwarts and molded fiberglass side benches with flotation that seat up to four. The triple-keel hull (full keel plus twin 36-inch bilge keels) means there is no centerboard trunk to break up the floor, and the rudder sits above the keel line so it need not be removed when the boat is dried out. This is a consistent layout across the class; the boat was produced as an open design without cabin variants.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
The boat normally carries one set of oars and an inboard engine well sized for a 2 to 3 hp outboard, offset to port so the rudder still steers under power. The well is open aft, letting the motor pivot over obstructions or kick up for rowing. Beyond that, the original Honnor Marine package included foam buoyancy, rudder, tiller, sail, Sitka spruce spars, and bronze rowlock sockets. Buyers should not expect extensive factory-fitted extras; any navigation lights, covers, or trailer upgrades are owner-added and should be judged on condition rather than assumed standard.
What to Inspect
The one documented safety feature to verify is the foam-filled molded flotation. On a specific hull, press and listen at the molded side benches and any closed compartments; soft spots, prior fiberglass repairs, or a musty smell suggest compromised buoyancy that removes the boat's swamped-and-recover margin anchor. Confirm the inboard engine well is intact and offset to port, and that the open-aft well structure is not cracked where an outboard pivots. Check the gated mast partner locks the Sitka spruce mast cleanly and that the cleats for halyard and tack downhaul are present. The rudder should sit proud of the keel line with no trailing edge damage from beaching.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Typical market availability is centered on the United Kingdom. For a viewing, keep a short list:
- Confirm foam flotation compartments are sound and odor-free
- Check the inboard port-offset engine well for cracks
- Verify the gated mast partner and spars are complete
- Inspect the rudder for beach-ground damage above keel line
- Test the tiller-led mainsheet block at the rudderhead
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Drascombe Scaffie. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 1 row
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 26 | 1 | $9,518 | — |
Where they're listed
Drascombe Scaffie listings appear across 1 country. United Kingdom has the most listings with 1.
Country view
1 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $9,518 | 1 | 0 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
2 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drascombe Dabber | 15.5' | $ 4,452 | 8 | 3 |
| Drascombe ScaffieYou are here | — | $ 9,516 | 1 | 0 |