The Winklebrig Forum

Hi Matthew.

I think the chain was 6mm. To tension, I use a block and tackle arrangement wherby the chain can be slackened off from the foredeck if necessary (having first taken the strain off the forestay). I have very rarely needed to do this, but it allows me to retract the bowsprit if required.

To prevent the chain snagging on mooring lines when using a swinging mooring in tidal conditions, I use a primary line attached directly to the bow eye (almost at water level).

I know you shouldn't fit a stainless shackle with a galvanised chain, but in my Winkle Brig situation where the boat is kept on the trailer between outings it hasn't been a problem for me as the chain is not subjected to continuous salt water contact so galvanic action is minimal (and can be checked annually).  I find galvanised shackles to be much more problematical.

Hi Matthew.
Yes, I have used a galvanised chain for many years, (I wouldn't bother with stainless). In my view, a much better solution than wire as you can determine its condition visually much more easily. Wire, stainless in particular can give way without any visual warning and is nasty to handle when it gets damaged. Chain is also much more resilliant when (not if!) you get snarled up  on a mooring!

I had the same problem Ken a few years ago and ended up with a scarf. This is not the end of the world, as I found the bending on of the timber quite a struggle (without steaming), and doing it in two halves made the operation a bit more manageable. The scarfs haven't opened up after several years of sailing.
Good luck!

That's great Barend. Many thanks.
How about the rest of you ?!

I am currently thinking of updating and revising 'The Winklebrig Book' and would like to add a bigger section  on cruising grounds. I will be giving some information on my knowledge of the UK's south east coast (Ipswich-Southwold), the Norfolk Borads, and the festivals at Venice, Morbihan, Brest and Douarnanez, but it would be really good to include some of your favourite haunts. As well as the sailing attractions, I will be incorporating things like where to launch, where to park, where to anchor, good pubs and anything else of peripheral interest (eg places to visit nearby).

If any of you would like to make a contribution to the book, if you post your pieces in the sailing section of the website I will pick them up there. I would love to hear about  David Cawston's visits to Ireland and his canal voyages. It would be great to hear from our Dutch friends about sailing in Holland. The UK's south coast and Scotland would also be fascinating.

Look forward to reading your postings if you are interested.

.........But the good news is that 'Winkle' is still available and the price has been reduced to  £7,000.00!!
This includes a substantially uprated 2005 Roller Coaster 7 Trailer and a lot of extras.
See www.winkle.life

Very neat David, and most unfairly, you are looking younger than ever!
Any chance of some other photos, descriptions of your Irish trip? I am sure others (like me) will be keen to hear all about it.

Just a small point Ross. It would be better to lash the bow eyebolt vertically down to the trailer to prevent the boat 'jumping' as you drive over bumps.
To stop the boat sliding backwards (if the winch fails), I use the boat's painter attached to the cleat on the foredeck through the fairleads and around the winch post. In this way you have belt and braces if the eyebolt fails.

Good to hear you are having a good season Gerold.
For sea sailing I found the bulward was a little low and had a stainless steel rail made. Quite expensive and not for everyone I know, but it does the trick and has kept me safe in some quite big seas here on the North Sea coast. (You can see the rail on some of the pictures on the www.winkle.life web  site.)

Hi Matthew and welcome!
If you go to the 'sailing' section of the website there is thread under 'Norfolk Broads' heading, and much of the information  still holds good I think.
There is good beer at most places (Woodbastwick micro brewery - Northern Broads- in particular) but food is pretty average everywhere I am afraid once you have tired of chicken and chips, burger and chips, and fish and chips! However, there is one exception and that is the Dukes Head Pub at Somerleyton which has excellent food.
Have a great trip.

I agree. I am sure you will be fine, Ross. The only advice I would give regarding an unknown trailer is to check the brakes and bearings as you won't know how much salt water they have been subjected to.

I towed with my original trailer for several years. However tempting (in terms of spreading the cost), I wouldn't go down the route of uprating all the components of the original trailer piecemeal as you will spend a few bob and still end up with an 1100kg trailer. Some years ago, when I realised that my boat was weighing far more than the original owing to numerous additions and live aboard 'stuff', I bit the bullet and traded in the old trailer with Indespension for a new Roller Coaster 7. I have never regretted it, but I suppose it depends how many miles on the road you intend to cover. I have done a few!

Congratulations Ross! Many happy years of Winklebriggery ahead!

There is no great science to towing. My advice would be to take the fat end of the mast to the stem not the tabernacle - less overhang at the back. Where it passes through the tabernacle it can be lashed down; lash the boat to the trailer with ratchet straps and webbing under (not over) the bulwarks fore and aft; and Dave Cawston's tip - lash the bow winch eyebolt vertically down onto the trailer as tight as you can. I can't comment on the strength of the boom crutch without seeing it, but if you do as above it isn't taking a great deal of weight. Good luck!

Thanks for the kind words Phil and Andrew. I am sad to say goodbye to Winkle after many adventures, but it is time to move on and besides, I am not going anywhere and I plan to build a Yawl  sailing canoe next.

For anyone interested in seeing a rather hastily thrown together collection of words and pictures you can do so on www.winkle.life

'Winkle' will be going on the market shortly. After 15 years of sailing adventure (mostly single handed), I have decided the time has come to pass her onto younger hands.

'Winkle' and her trailer have been extensively modified for long distance and more challenging trips, and she turns heads wherever she goes. She was bought as a standard high peaked gaff rig and converted to lug rig, although all the original sails and spars for easy reversion to original rig are included.

Amongst many other minor improvements, the following modifications have been made:-

1.   Replacement extended bowsprit with larger jib and a staysail. Twin bobstays. Roller furling.
2.   Chain locker with 20 metres of chain. Bronze deck pipe.
3.   Second set of shrouds and optional running backstays.
4.   Brass Navigation lights and 12 volt battery, charged by Totatsu 6hp (4 stroke petrol). Separate 12 litre fuel tank in converted rear ventilated fuel locker.
5.   Teak strip hatch cover and rear locker covers.
6.   Replacement extra wide teak rubbing strakes.
7.   Two additional cockpit lockers.
8.   Sprayhood.
9.   Oak transom beam.
10.   Stainless steel guard rail and pushpit.
11.   Mizzen mast with reefable lugsail and bumkin.
12.   Auxiliary engine transom bracket.
13.   Auxiliary electric Torqeedo engine unused. (Price subject to negotiation if required).
14.   Avon Redcrest tender with oars and pump.
15.   Yuloh sculling oar.
16.   Mahogany rudder stock with retracting aluminium rudder blade.
17.   Cabin converted to two comfortable berths and built-in (dry) toilet. Water storage (20 litres), food and clothing lockers. Teak cutlery/crockery/wine rack storage. Gimballed Brass oil lamp. Clock and antique barometer.
18.   Trailer:- Roller coaster 7 with keel rollers and 3 pairs of rollers each side on swing beam with stainless steel spindles. 3x 950kg tyres new last year. Extra long jockey wheel for elevating for launching. Spare wheel.
19.   Launching device for car tow hook for shallow slipways if required.

'Winkle' is in good condition for her age having been wintered in a barn and annually 'buffed up' for her appearances at various European Festivals. (Venice, Morbihan, Brest, Duarnanez, and Wales). Locally I have sailed  most of the East Coast rivers and estuaries and in my opinion 'Winkle' provides the perfect touring vessel both on and off the road.

She is a fine little ship, all ready to take her new owner safely on their next adventure together.   

£8,000 complete.

Hello Gerold. Thanks for your kind words.

My foresail arrangement has developed over the years, so I am afraid my present setup has evolved into  rather a complicated arrangement, although it doesn't need to be.

If you fix further forward than the stempost  as I have done, in order to maximise the size of the foresail, you have to have a way of centralising the foot of the sail (as the bowsprit is off-centre), if you want the boat to look symetrical. My solution is best shown by photos, but as I am away from my boat at present I will post some in a couple of weeks when we are reunited again.