Julian Swindell
Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - 04:29 pm:
I know hte basic rig is a sloop, either high peaked gaff or gaff and topsail. So far I have also seen at least two cutter rigs and a yawl. Are there any other variations?
I have just the one small image of a dutch boat with I think 6 sails flying, but how it was done I don't know.
Dave Cawston
Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - 05:09 pm:
I have seen pictures of a Winkle Brig with a 'Spanker' hanging down beneath the boom
Julian Swindell
Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - 05:15 pm:
It works! I don't know how, I just uploaded umpteen files and pressed go.
I've seen one cutter rig where the bowsprit had been extended and a short wrought iron bow spritlet added for the foresail.
Is there any risk of these overcanvassed Brigs being blown over?
David Cawston
Posted on Friday, March 16, 2007 - 08:37 pm:
On a couple of occasions I have found myself caught out with too much canvas, once running up a quiet tree-lined dyke on the Norfolk Broads and suddenly you get to the end and the wind catches you by surprise. We had an almighty broach, water poured over the bulwarks but as Markie heeled over the wind spilt from the main and topsail and we just pirouetted up into the wind and straight in to a reed bank (as you do on the Norfolk Broads). The water drained out of the cockpit instantly and after reducing sail off we went again. I have found that if close hauled and the wind is very strong, the more you heel the more the gaff spills the wind, so I feel very confident about sailing in very strong winds. It is only when the bowsprit starts to bend alarmingly that I get worried and that is why I have now fitted an extra forestay fixed to the stem head (just in case the bowsprit does decide enough is enough). I have found that with a double reef in the main and full jib, Markie is beautifully balanced when close-hauled in a F5, gusting F6.
Simon Hill
Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 02:34 pm:
I want to have a topsail made for my boat as it came without one. Any pictures sail plans and advice would be most welcome.
When I inherited the boat from my father I noticed he had broken at least one bowsprit. During my first few sails out here (OZ) I noticed that the bowsprit bowing in a rather alarming fashion in a stiff breeze. I have since added two triangulating wire stays (I'm sure they must have some fancy nautical name - but I know not what it is!)from the foward tip back to the Port and Starbord f'ward quarters on the gunwale. This has stiffened things up considerably and I feel much more secure with this now. I like the idea of a second forstay to the stem (especially if flying a tops'l as well).
Roger Parish
Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 09:44 pm:
The topsail is an essential part of gaff rig and use mine regularly. Taking the topsail down is the first reef. I use a topmast on Wb 48. The topsail is always attached at tack and clew to the gaff arm and when I hoist the main I pull on three halyards at same time then tesion main luff,peak the gaff then tension topsail halyard. All can be done from the cockpit. I dont think I would bother if I had to hoist topsail attached to yard standing on deck, and dangerous if single handed. When the wind blows up just release the topsil halyard and the topsail falls down behind the main. This was necessary last year when sailing back into Falmouth. When lowered the topsail is gathered on top of gaff arm and main gathered below. As alternative to using a fixed topmast I intend to try a lightweight spar(carbon fibre?) to which I would lace the topsail luff but again fix the sail at tack and clew. It would need someway to stow the spar alonside gaff arm. This arrangement was used by A C Stock who sailed his boat "shoal Waters" on the east coast.(classic book for small boat sailers and titled "Sailing just for Fun").
I think the side stays are referred to as "jib boom stays" or "martingale stays" You should also consider adding a dolphin striker!
Julian Swindell
Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 09:53 pm:
Roger, looking at the pictures of your boat with topsail up (Partan) I wondered if your mainsail is the "high peaked gaff" version? It looks like your gaff peaks much more steeply than most, with the outer end higher than the top of the mast. Mine has the end of the gaff well below the mast top.
David Cawston
Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 11:39 pm:
It is just an optical illusion. When I took the photo Partan was on a broad reach with the gaff well out and as we were quite close it just looks like a high peak gaff. I use the topsail in the traditional manner, ie I hoist the whole assembly up the mast (sail attached to topsail yard). It only takes a minute or so longer to set than Rogers (it usually goes up first time but I can only do it on a port tack) but it does mean I can get under Haddiscoe Bridge on the Southern Norfolk Broads without having to lower the mast. Also I enjoy playing with all the ropes and Markie looks so much better flying a topsail. Simon I have not forgotten about sending you the drawings for the topsail but as others are interested I will post here on the forum.
Adrian Evans
Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 03:18 pm:
How about a square rigger?
Found this rather interesting picture on the Basingstoke Canal Societies website
http://www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk/bcnews190.htm
Photo: Dieter Jebens
The boat is credited to Tim & Liz Dodwell, at a rally in Odiham, May 2001.
Julian Swindell
Username: Julian_swindell
Registered: 03-2007
Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 05:02 pm:
What a wonderful picture! Does anyone know Tim and Liz Dowell? We need them aboard!
roger Parish
Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 09:25 pm:
I have sent an email to the membership secretary of the BCS asking the Dodwells to contact me or refer them to the owners register on this site
David Cawston
Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 10:40 pm:
I have just emailed Tim Dodwell direct and passed on the forum URL. I have known Tim since 1996 when we met at the very first International Festival of the Sea in Bristol (4 Winkle Brigs attended) and we met again at the next festival in 1998.
David Cawston
Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 10:49 pm:
My email to Tim Dodwell has just been returned 'Delivery to the following recipients failed' so they must have changed their email address. Oh dear!
Martin_cartwright
Username: Martin_cartwright
Registered: 04-2008
Posted on Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 07:52 pm:
No offence taken over your comments regarding my 'excessive' yawl rig, Julian, but I would just like to put you straight on one point. The reason I added the mizzen is for flexibility - not just to have more sails than anyone else! (Although I have to say that I do enjoy playing with all the string!).
I almost always sail alone and at 12 stone do not have a great deal of upwind balast. Therefore, having the option of lowering the mainsail and sailing under jib and mizzen alone is a huge comfort in strong winds (or if I simply want a cup of tea!).
I have extended the bowsprit slightly to re-balance the boat and Winkle now sails beautifully under jib and mizzen only, in winds so far tested of around 25 knotts.
I find that even when reefed to the second reefing point there is too much mainsail in these winds for me and the boat suffers from excessive weather helm.
The mizzen modifications have been a lot of work, but I can strongly recommend them to any fellow lightweight who sails alone particularly in sea areas where the wind can pick up very quickly.
David_owens
Username: David_owens
Registered: 04-2010
Posted on Friday, May 21, 2010 - 09:06 am:
Martin,
I've raised the question about the mizzen in a separate post related to where and how people sail. But this post addresses my queries directly as I am also a 12stone(ish) single handed sailor. Except the vital one of how exactly you fitted the mizzen - you say it is a lot of work, but what exactly is involved? Do you have pics?
David_owens
Username: David_owens
Registered: 04-2010
Posted on Friday, May 21, 2010 - 10:37 pm:
Martin - have just read your post on 'Strengthening for Coastal Sailing' and found many pics of the modifications you have undertaken. Blimey! I don't think I am ready for this yet! Impressive - and somewhat humbling.
But it does confirm Roger Parish's point that new owners like me would do well to read right through the forums - there is a huge wealth of information here.
Martin_cartwright
Username: Martin_cartwright
Registered: 04-2008
Posted on Monday, May 24, 2010 - 07:57 pm:
Don't be put off! The standard Winklebrig is a lovely boat. I tinker with mine as much for the enjoyment of the experimentation as for the sailing.I am really not sure if what I modify adds much to the original - but it keeps me happy for hours, especially during the winter months.
I do have failures. I just don't post the details on the web and I try and cover the holes with the next modification! (Incidentally, I have reverted back to lanyards rather than bottle screws on the stays as I found that tensioning is much easier with the original design).
With regard to the mizzen,don't embark upon this lightly, as although I think I now have a nicely balanced boat I have had to extend the bowsprit and increase the sail area forward of the mast (and carry out various other modifications) to achieve it. A marine architect would probably have kittens, so if you proceed with this be careful.
Happy sailing.