Hi Dave,
I completely agree with what Martin and Mike say. Having owned Markie, WB15 from new (29 years), I have never regretted the purchase. In 1987 we were looking at the Cornish Shrimper at the London Boat Show, but one of their salesmen told us of a review in Yachting World which featured the Cornish Shrimper and also featured a Winkle Brig. We bought the magazine at the show, compared the boat specs. and decided there and then it was no contest. The Winkle Brig, on most counts, won hands down, smaller, lighter, easier to tow, launch and recover, had more space below decks and looked so pretty. And was half the price. Out and out performance was of no importance to us, but being out in a fun boat with lots of bits of string to play with and comments from the general public and other boat owners about how lovely Markie looks, that is worth the few shortcomings.
Yes the performance to windward is not brilliant, but as long as you are not punching the tide, progress is ok.. Downwind performance is excellent, especially with the topsail rigged. And on a broad reach we have logged a sustained 6 knots, a fantastic feeling.
Earlier WBs had GRP rudders and bilge plates which can survive life afloat whereas the later plywood versions with iron shoes can/will suffer if left in water. Also all the remaining woodwork takes a hammering if left exposed to the elements.
We are fortunate in having the space to store Markie at home, if we did not I would expect a local caravan storage facility would be willing to store her.
Go on Dave, go for it.
I completely agree with what Martin and Mike say. Having owned Markie, WB15 from new (29 years), I have never regretted the purchase. In 1987 we were looking at the Cornish Shrimper at the London Boat Show, but one of their salesmen told us of a review in Yachting World which featured the Cornish Shrimper and also featured a Winkle Brig. We bought the magazine at the show, compared the boat specs. and decided there and then it was no contest. The Winkle Brig, on most counts, won hands down, smaller, lighter, easier to tow, launch and recover, had more space below decks and looked so pretty. And was half the price. Out and out performance was of no importance to us, but being out in a fun boat with lots of bits of string to play with and comments from the general public and other boat owners about how lovely Markie looks, that is worth the few shortcomings.
Yes the performance to windward is not brilliant, but as long as you are not punching the tide, progress is ok.. Downwind performance is excellent, especially with the topsail rigged. And on a broad reach we have logged a sustained 6 knots, a fantastic feeling.
Earlier WBs had GRP rudders and bilge plates which can survive life afloat whereas the later plywood versions with iron shoes can/will suffer if left in water. Also all the remaining woodwork takes a hammering if left exposed to the elements.
We are fortunate in having the space to store Markie at home, if we did not I would expect a local caravan storage facility would be willing to store her.
Go on Dave, go for it.