The Winklebrig Forum

David Cawston
Username: David_cawston

Registered: 03-2007
   
Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 - 09:08 pm:      
Yes that is Markie on the newly restored Stroudwater Canal entering Ryeford Double Lock (a staircase lock) earlier this year. For the past 7 years we have been taking Markie to IWA Trailboat Festivals all over the UK visiting isolated canals from Devon up to Cumbria. Everytime we do a bit of sailing but it usually amounts to unfurling the jib for a few seconds just so we can say we did some sailing. With the running forestay, bridges present no problems, the mast has to be lowered but powerlines are a different matter. OK if you spot them but we did hit some on the Mon and Brec in South Wales. It was just like in a cartoon, Markie very quickly came to a halt, then was catapulted back, fortunately with no damage to Markie or the powerlines, lucky! We will not take Markie on the canals where 15 ton steel narrowboats are free to do some serious damage in a collision, so we stick to the isolated sections. Bear in mind that in the majority of cases you will need a Boat Safety Certificate to use the canals.

Paul Thomas
Username: Paul_thomas

Registered: 01-2011
   
Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 - 04:33 pm:      
Has anyone seen Cotswold Canals Trust calendar for 2013? There appears to be a WB on the cover. http://www.cotswoldcanals.com/pages/bakery/cotswold-canals-2013-calendar-57.php
I'd be interested to hear of people's experiences with WBs on canals as this could open up a whole new cruising area.

Mike_seller
Username: Mike_seller

Registered: 06-2012
   
Posted on Friday, September 14, 2012 - 08:25 pm:      
On my original post I mentioned that I had emailed EB "but sadly no reply so far". Eric did get in touch this week and we have now spoken on the telephone - what a joy to hear from the man who gave me "Heligan". This equals if not surpasses my chat with Uffa Fox at the 1963 London Boat Show! EB is confident that I shall never be asked to produce "paperwork" but as a matter of historical interest should be able to provide some answers from his records given time - thank you EB.

Mike_seller
Username: Mike_seller

Registered: 06-2012
   
Posted on Friday, August 31, 2012 - 09:38 am:      
Hi Barend,
Thank you Barend for that and in particular about the IC for proof of ownership. Good to know there are Winklebrig owners ready available to share information. Some years ago I sailed on the Ijsselmeer and through the canals helping a friend get his boat back to Harwich UK. Had a great few days thanks to the Dutch hospitality.

Barend Nieuwendijk
Username: Barend_nieuwendijk

Registered: 08-2008
   
Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - 08:17 pm:      
Hi Mike
Within the European Community (of which Great Britain is a member) there is free travel of goods if they are privately owned. So you do not have to bother about not having the original paperwork. We travelled many times with our boat over the borders.
But to be sure we have an international certificate pleasure craft ownership. In the Netherlands we can obtain that at the ANWB.
In your country you can obtain such an certificate at :
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Boatingandtravellingbywater/Pleas ureCraft/DG_180594
When traveling abroad you can prove with this certificate that your boat is yours.

Mike_seller
Username: Mike_seller

Registered: 06-2012
   
Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 - 03:33 pm:      
Many thanks Martin for your prompt and reassuring reply. If however I am taken to the guillotine you will be my last thought! Seriously I think you are right but maybe if one had an accident the officials might then ask for the paperwork.

Martin_cartwright
Username: Martin_cartwright

Registered: 04-2008
   
Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 - 08:18 am:      
Hi Mike.
I worried about this a lot to begin with, as I don't have any papers either. (Who does with a 20 year old boat which has changed hands many times?). I have since been to festivals in Venice, Morbihan and Brest and the officials couldn't be less interested in paperwork. I may have just been lucky, but I think they use the deminimis principal- the Winklebrig is just too small to bother about!

Mike_seller
Username: Mike_seller

Registered: 06-2012
   
Posted on Monday, August 27, 2012 - 06:27 pm:      
Hello All,
When I purchased "Heligan" (Sail No 95) she came without the paperwork recommended by the RYA such as proof of VAT paid and Builders Certificate etc. So what - it was love at first sight and whatever her background "Heligan" would be mine. However I do have dreams of taking the boat to foreign waters (France) one day and without this documentation am I looking for trouble - French Customs prison!
I emailed the Ferry Boatyard hoping for copies of any info - they kindly replied confirming all paperwork had gone with EB on the sale. I emailed the Yacht brokerage who had sold the boat to my vendor hoping they might have kept records - no reply. I have emailed EB via the info on this site but sadly no reply so far.
Am I being paranoid about Ships Papers on a little craft the size of a Winklebrig and would the French really throw me in jail as suggested for not having the relevant paperwork. Although I can hear the seagulls calling from the other side of the channel I doubt I have enough years left to explore our home waters. Can anyone tell me if this paperwork is available or even necessary. Another previous owner of "Heligan" is shown on this site sailing her in Portugal.

Mike_seller
Username: Mike_seller

Registered: 06-2012
   
Posted on Friday, September 14, 2012 - 07:48 pm:      
Martin - I never said thank you for your welcome - apologies. Thoroughly enjoying "Heligan" on her trailer and working on the comfort upgrade.
Next year hope to hear from other owners if anyone has plans of meeting up.

Martin_cartwright
Username: Martin_cartwright

Registered: 04-2008
   
Posted on Thursday, August 16, 2012 - 07:19 am:      
Excellent choice. Welcome!

Mike_seller
Username: Mike_seller

Registered: 06-2012
   
Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 09:43 pm:      
I am the new proud owner of "Heligan" and it was love at first sight. My thanks to Paddy for making the purchase so easy and introducing me to the Winklebrig world. "Heligan" is presently ashore at home in Buckinghamshire whilst I tinker and upgrade her specification. The more I look at her lines and design the more I congratulate myself for not choosing a Shrimper. Maiden voyage will probably be in Salcombe - then explore the Thames/East coast and fingers crossed French coast and canals.

Paddy Willis
Username: Paddy_willis

Registered: 05-2010
   
Posted on Thursday, April 05, 2012 - 03:48 pm:      
I've decided that lack of use for two seasons no longer makes for a happy Winklebrig, so sadly have chosen to put "Heligan" on the market. She is in lovely condition (recently varnished and anti-fouled) and her trailer has not been used since full service last Summer. @£7,000 will have her skipping along under new ownership. Full details on request. paddy (at) wftconsulting .
com or 07768 503408

Phil Shimmin
Username: Philshimmin

Registered: 11-2010
   
Posted on Monday, April 09, 2012 - 10:12 pm:      
WB 100 travels down the M6 Saturday for the southern Broads season..Locks Inn here we come!Hope to meet up with other vessels.

Tim Willey
Username: Tim_willey

Registered: 03-2012
   
Posted on Monday, April 09, 2012 - 08:15 pm:      
Nice to hear from you Vipula, We'll look out for you on the Broads. Happy sailing.

David Cawston
Username: David_cawston

Registered: 03-2007
   
Posted on Wednesday, April 04, 2012 - 10:26 am:      
We are still on for launching Markie on Friday morning from Swallowtail Boatyard getting there around 10.30am We will then be making our way to Horsey Mere and mooring up for the night at the staithe by the wind pump. Friday evening the Trail Sail Association will be meeting at The Nelson, Horsey for a quiz (plus food and drink of course)everyone welcome.
We would be delighted to see any WB owners, with or without boats