The Winklebrig Forum

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

Hello Mark,
Dimensions taken from WB #107

Low Peaked Gaff Rig, as supplied:
Boom:      3,365mm + Jaws, 44mm wide, 50mm ht. at ends, 62mm in middle. Douglas Fir.
Yard:        2,615mm + Jaws, 44mm square section, Douglas Fir.
Topmast:  2,590mm, 30mm square section at ends, 44mm square section in middle. Douglas Fir.
               n.b. I replaced this with 2,140mm x 45mm O.D. Aluminium tube.
                     In both cases I bolted the topmast to the forward port shoulder of the mast. When using the topsail, secured
                     the tack and clew to the yard and raised it using a peak halyard.

High Peaked Gaff Rig, as used of late:
Boom:      3,710mm + Jaws, 44 x 50mm at ends, 44 x 62mm in middle. Douglas Fir.
Yard:        3,325mm + Jaws, 44mm square section. Spruce.
                Can be about 100mm less but added length reaches the gallows. (Discovered after the event.)

Hope this is of use, anything else, please ask.

Regards,
David
........

Ref unpowered rotation under sail of the Torqeedo 1003C propellor, with associated gearbox whine, as mentioned by Gerold. (Reply #47)
As my gearbox has freed up, this rotation, hence noise, has become much more prevalent and is certainly most annoying.
To prevent rotation, I inserted a 750 x 25 x 8mm wooden batten from the forward end of the motorhead, extending aft down the starboard side of the outboard leg, secured at the top with a lanyard.
The blade comes up against the batten and stops.
The batten positioning is fairly positive because there are removable baffle boards in the bottom of the well surrounding the outboard leg.
Primitive but quick, easy and it worked. As a reminder to remove the batten before motor use, I displaced the magnetic stop key and very much hope to remember the association.
Whilst the 1103C propellor will probably also rotate, due to direct drive, there will presumably be no noise.

David