The Winklebrig Forum

Hello Rick,
Very sorry indeed to learn of your cancer and hope your are receiving helpful treatment.
I regret that I am unable to take on your role and do hope someone will come forward.
The forum is an invaluable source of knowledge and experience for every Winkle Brig Owner.
Thankyou very much for your unstinting work over a lot of years of which I have been a great beneficiary.
Best wishes.
David Bone

Hello David,
Hope you have resolved your mast support towing arrangements.
From the 'Gallery,' your vessel does not appear to have gallows, so I presume you use an 'A'frame at the stern, of height according to needs.
Parts of Yorkshire are not too far away from S.Cumbria.
Presently my W/B is in a barn, as a Cornish Cobble is on my Coniston mooring but I intend to change over late August.
If you would like to come over for the day, crawl over and talk all about Winkle Brigs, you are most welcome. Similarly, if you would like a sail with me on W/B 107 in September, that would be fine.
My e-mail address is in the Forum, profile side bar, when you log-in.
All the best,
David.

Mast support.

I bolt a temporary extension about a foot long to the centre of the gallows for the mast to rest in, with the foot remaining bolted in the tabernacle, which raises it up sufficiently for cabin access and also helps when raising the mast.
Re your other query, I purchased a new high peaked mainsail from Goacher's, Bowness in 2016 for £624.
 

Hello Gerard,

You have made very good use of 'Sea Jade,' it has been a real pleasure to follow its restoration and your varied voyages. The new owner will gain a fine, well maintained vessel.
Congratulations on purchasing a Cape Cutter, well suited to your developing needs and coming adventures.

Beat wishes,
David 

Wishing all fellow Winkle Brig owners a Happy Christmas and good sailing in 2025.
Though there has been little input to the forum in 2024, it remains an invaluable resource of information, innovation, advice and fellowship for Owners of this capable, characterful little vessel.

David Bone, W/B 107.

Gerold's description of the materials used on his W/B typify the variety used, which seemed to vary throughout the period of manufacture, possibly representing what was readily available at the time.
W/B 107 came with Douglas Fir mast, boom, yard, topmast and bowsprit, Iroko bulwarks, tiller, companionway boards and aft cockpit lids with ply tops.
Plywood drop boards with weighted steel shoes and a plywood rudder.
I have changed to a hollow Douglas Fir mast, aluminium topmast and spruce yard.
New plywood drop boards have been fitted with stainless steel shoes and encapsulated lead inserts, increasing their weight from approx. 11 to 26 kg each. (I understand early models had steel encapsulated drop boards. weighing around 27 kg each.)
A replacement plywood rudder has been fitted with a small stainless steel drop plate and the cockpit side benches which were covered with teak faced ply, replaced with Tek-Dek, simulated teak.

Well then Kev,

You have an unrivalled choice of two Winkle Brigs of quite differing specifications.

WB 62, Pat Arnold's boat was well developed by Martin Cartwright, is very well equipped, offers different sailing options and has an upgraded, first class roller-coater trailer.

WB 7, Rick Ladds' is an early boat, unmodified and requiring some work, offered at an attractive price.

Winkle Brigs are very robustly constructed of good design, so age or cosmetic condition should not over influence your choice. All wear parts are easily refurbished, repaired or replaced.

David Cawston's WB 15, owned from new has been well used throughout and Gerard Brown's WB 18, is a prime example of an early boat well restored.

Take the plunge, I am sure you won't be disappointed.

David.

Hello again Kev,

Though WB#107 is not for sale, you are welcome to come and look over the boat and discuss its attributes as a prelude to viewing a 'for sale' craft.

David
.....

Hello Kev,
I own WB107, which though it spends 6 months of the year at a mooring on Coniston, is presently in a barn at my house near Ulverston, South Cumbria, 40 mins drive from J36 of the M6.

I am more than happy to show you over the boat and answer any queries you may have regarding this very good craft.
Tel: 01229 585368

Regards,
David Bone

Hello Gerard,

Until purchasing a Torqeedo electric outboard, I always towed W/B 107, with a Mariner 4 (Weight 25kg) mounted on the transom and never experienced any indication of structural compromise.
Just come off Coniston Water after an exhilarating sail up and down the lake with a really good, fresh SSW'ly breeze, hope to see you on your next visit.
Regards,
David

Hello John,
The rear locker lids on WB107 are secured by a length of 10mm stainless steel rod passing forward to aft through holes drilled in the lid ends and in the locker coaming. A stop washer is welded at one end and a hole drilled in the other to take a small padlock. On the underside of the lid a length of pipe is fastened to guide the rod. (Instead of pipe a couple of fairleads would probably do.

I agree, particularly when sailing in strong winds.

Hello Gerard,

Looking back through the forum.
Miscellaneous, Winklebrig Queries, Reply #4, David Cawston, Sept.10, 2016.
Indicates his boat WB#15, owned from new was built in 1987.

I am sure David Cawston, WB#15 will be able to provide date of build for WB#18.