BB11 - Pocket Dragon?

[Skipjack]

In 1994, I bought a BB11 called Skipjack, from Keyhaven, and transported her to Essex. She had been rebuilt to a high spec by her previous owner, who only sold her to make way for new projects.

A BB11 is best described as a baby Dragon. The class was designed by Borge Bringsvaerd, who had a yard in Drobak, Norway, in the mid fifties. Jack Chippendale generated the first interest in the UK by displaying one on his Boat Show stand in 1960 (I think!). I believe there were about 25 boats imported into the UK shortly afterwards, but where are they now?

The boat is just shy of 20' long, 13'8" on the waterline, 5'10" beam, 3' draft (keel) and driven by a tall narrow Scandinavian rig of just 120sg.ft. She sails like a witch.

In the intervening years, I've never seen another BB11 on the water, despite going as far afield as Brest 96 (by trailer!). Presumably there are some still in commission in the UK. They even made it into the 100 top boats list in CB. Anybody any idea?

Best regards

Greg Dunn

 

[Guest]

There's one at the Svanemøllen marina in Copenhagen Denmark - and it was one of the first boats I ever went aboard. I remember the mast flexing alarmingly as soon as it blew a bit...

It was then called "Mer et Lac" (a wordplay on "More Varnish" in Danish, and "Sea and Foam" in French). I'm not sure if it's still there.

They were once the biggest class in Norway.

I've sniffed about the 'net, though:

Restoration project

http://www.bluedome.co.uk/BB11/

Club in Norway:

http://www.bb11-klubben.com/

register of owners:

http://www.bb11-klubben.com/bb11_liste.htm

One for sale:

http://www.batmegleren.no/vis.php?id=91d1366273a93ec812428b5ba1a0063a

some pictures:

http://213.66.146.180:888/bb11/default2.htm (sold!)

A club that knows the type, and answers questions:

http://home.online.no/~eiviberg/Sporsmal_og_svar/index.html

Lost in Denmark - a yachtsmans paradise!

 

[Guest]

So - no answer?

Lost in Denmark - a yachtsmans paradise!

 

[Skipjack]

Richard, so sorry, only just checked in again. Thank you for such a fulsome reply. I haven't trawled all the sites yet, but the restoration project is a thundering good read. There doesn't seem to be a reply address to talk to the chap that is rebuilding her.

I've only been to Norway your side of the pond, although I did look down from the jet and charted the whole coast from the Frisian Islands, right up to and over Denmark, including that dirty girt bridge they've plonked in the creek there. Looks idyllic from above. I went to Trondheim, and Snilfjord a year ago. That is paradise on the rocks.

 

[Skipjack]

Good news, I hope. I have been in touch with David Lynch, who is rebuilding K12, 'Lestrus'. David runs an outdoor pusuits website called Bluedome, and has started a forum for BB11s, from which a UK owners association may, in time, blossom.

So, thank you again, Richard, for your pointer.

Best

Greg Dunn

 

[Guest]

Hi BB11 fans and Skipjack too!
I see you have found another place to talk about BB11's! Lets hope we can find some more of them around. We are going to look at John Campbells boat on Skye next week, i'll get some pictures on the BlueDome pages when we gat back.
I have got details somewhere of another boat in North Wales, i'll look into it
Hope to see you soon
David

 

[Guest]

"Glad to be of service"

Let me know if you guys need any pointers about bits of Norwegian you might want explaining.

I think the BB11 is one of the prettiest boats around - although I wish the bloke who'd taken me out on my first jaunts had learned to trim the rig properly. It almost put me off sailing for life to see how that mast whipped about.

Lost in Denmark - a yachtsmans paradise!