The Winklebrig Forum

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.

Congratulations, well done, I bet you feel better now.

On WB107, the board casings are sited close to the inboard edges of the bunk housings, angled slightly inwards towards the top.   See: 'The Hull,' Page 2, 'Day Boat Centre Board Jammed,' Reply #6, for illustration.

Good luck Roger, you may be the first to tackle this job but are unlikely to be the last.
Sounds like your skills are well up to the task and you will probably end up with a better job than original.
David

Hello Roger,
I know WB#37, 'Jenya Tan' from Colin & Jayne Firth's ownership.
She has the original glass fibre boards, swivelled on a pin moulded into the casings within the hull.
Removal and repair/replacement is going to involve cutting away a section of the side bunk sections for access to the pin.
From previous 'forum' entries, I suggest David Cawston, WB#15, has the best knowledge with which to advise you in this respect.
Rgds.
David