Cape Yachts Brokerage ~ Featured Boat"The Girl Christina"
- Conor Symonds
- May 19
- 3 min read
Featured Boat: The Girl Christina – A Beautifully Refinished Drascombe Lugger
There are few small sailing boats that command the same affection and respect as the Drascombe Lugger. Timeless in appearance, dependable under sail, and deeply rooted in British maritime heritage, the Lugger has become one of the most recognisable traditional trailer sailers ever built.
Our featured boat, The Girl Christina, is a particularly fine example.
Built at the renowned Honnor Marine factory in Totnes, this Mark 3 Drascombe Lugger embodies everything owners have loved about the design for generations: simplicity, seaworthiness, versatility, and unmistakable character.
A Classic That Has Stood the Test of Time
One of the reasons the Drascombe Lugger remains so highly regarded today is that the original concept was simply so well executed. Unlike many production boats that have evolved beyond recognition, the Lugger’s core design has remained remarkably unchanged over the decades.
Its stable hull, shallow draft, and instantly recognisable yawl rig make it equally at home exploring estuaries, coastal waters, creeks, and harbours. Whether sailed traditionally, rowed quietly upriver, or powered by a small outboard, the Lugger continues to offer a uniquely versatile boating experience.
This enduring appeal is reflected in the thousands of Luggers still actively sailed around the world today.
A Carefully Refurbished Example
The Girl Christina has recently benefitted from a thoughtful refurbishment carried out by Phil at Just Lugger Joinery, a name well known within the Drascombe community for high-quality restoration and joinery work.
The refit focused on preserving the traditional character of the boat while sympathetically refreshing and improving key areas. The result is a Lugger that feels both authentic and beautifully cared for — ready to be enjoyed immediately by her next owner.
You can read Phil’s detailed workshop blog documenting the refurbishment here:
Trailer Included for Easy Adventure
Included in the sale is a UK road-legal trailer built in 2011, making transport and storage straightforward and convenient.
One of the greatest joys of owning a Drascombe Lugger is the freedom to explore new cruising grounds with ease. From sheltered inland waters to coastal adventures further afield, trailerability has always been central to the Lugger’s appeal.
For owners looking to combine traditional sailing with genuine practicality, The Girl Christina offers an ideal setup.
Understanding the Mark 3 and Mark 4 Evolution
This boat is a Mark 3 Lugger, representing excellent value while retaining all the traditional qualities that made the design famous.
From 1998 onwards, the later Mark 4 models introduced several updates to comply with evolving regulations and achieve a Category C CE rating. These changes included:
Increased buoyancy foam
A raised centre plate casing
Updated compliance and safety standards
These refinements continue in modern production Luggers today. However, many sailors continue to appreciate the earlier Mark 3 boats for their simplicity, traditional proportions, and classic feel on the water.
The Story Behind the Drascombe Lugger
The Drascombe Lugger was first designed in the mid-1960s by former Royal Navy officer John L. Watkinson. Seeking to create a safe, stable, and practical family sailing boat, Watkinson built the first Lugger by hand in a barn at Drascombe Barton in Devon.
Inspired by the traditional working craft of England’s northeast coast — themselves influenced by Viking boatbuilding traditions — the Lugger combined classic lines with remarkable seaworthiness.
Production began in 1968, and the design quickly earned a reputation as one of Britain’s finest trailerable cruising boats. More than 2,000 Luggers have since been built, with production continuing in the UK to this day.
Over the decades, owners have taken their Luggers far beyond sheltered waters. These boats have completed ambitious coastal voyages, long-distance cruises, and even ocean passages — a testament to the confidence the design inspires.
Yet despite these achievements, the essence of the Lugger has always remained wonderfully simple: a boat designed for enjoyment, exploration, and connection with the water.
A Timeless Opportunity
For newcomers to traditional sailing or experienced owners seeking a well-presented example, The Girl Christina represents a wonderful opportunity to own one of Britain’s most iconic small sailing boats.
Classic in appearance, practical in use, and freshly refurbished with care, she is ready for many more years of memorable adventures afloat.
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