As one of the "Drascombe brigade" referred to in Stephen Newbold's article, may I submit one or two points?

On my particular craft - the "Dabber" - the rudder is transom-hung. In my opinion this is a big point in its favour over its larger sister, but surprisingly the rudder is not lifting and this constitutes one of the few criticisms I have of the boat. The lack of stowage space is another, due to the moulded side-benches. I'm told it is alright to cut holes in these, but having no experience of working in GRP, I've so far been afraid to apply drill and saw for fear of inflicting “irreversible damage”. If anyone has done anything in this line, I'd be glad to benefit from their experience!

Another point in the boat's favour, in my opinion at least, is the boomless mainsail - but its greatest advantage is lost if brails are not fitted - again, it surprises me that these are not standard. With memories of naval whalers, I rigged mine right away. It only involves an eyelet in the leach of the sail at a point slightly above the level of the heel of the yard, a strap on that lower end, and a length of light line. This is passed through the eyelet and the ends middled and led forward along both sides of the sail, down through the strap, through a fairlead at the base of the mast to a cleat on the c/b. case.

With this, the sail can be totally or partially dowsed in moments, and re-set just as easily - a great advantage when negotiating a crowded, shallow tidal area such as Keyhaven where I have my mooring. The sail can be set on the mooring, brailed up and secured with a quick-release tier and the boat can then be rowed clear of other moored craft without a mass of flapping canvas or an unwieldy bundle along the cockpit. Coming back, there is no need to round up into the wind to get the main off - frequently a very tricky manoeuvre in a crowded anchorage - and it is also very handy when working up a winding channel against the ebb - the sail can be dowsed temporarily whilst rowing up an awkward stretch and set again instantly when the situation changes.

At sea, partial brailing can be used to reduce speed if necessary, and brailing up is also handy when breaking out the coffee and sandwiches, particularly since the entire sail is pulled forward to the mast, leaving the cockpit completely free. One word of warning though to anyone unused to boomless rig; while it's true there is no boom to hit you on the head (and gybing therefore is perfectly safe), the flogging sheet-block can be very dangerous since, unlike the boom, it operates over a wide and unpredictable area!

I'm now in the process of trying to design a tent-cover, which, in the absence of a boom, I'm thinking of supporting on "hoops" of plastic tubing which can be straightened out for stowage along the side-benches or curved around the stern-deck. My problem though, is how to achieve a watertight front end - any suggestions welcomed! Jack Yeatman