Wibo 2

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Skipjack

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I bought a 24 foot Dutch steel sloop three years ago, and am currently getting her back into the water. She is called a Wibo 2 or Wibo II. Internet searches show yardsticks and the like, and several boats for sale in Holland and Germany. The date ranges are from the early 1960s to 1970, but I haven't seen any mention of any Wibo 2s in the UK. I haven't even got a sail number or a build year with mine, so I am curious to know if there are any/many more of these vessels in the UK, how many were imported etc.

Thanks in anticipation
 
Wibo stands for Van Wijk (Name builder) Woubrugge. The measurments are lxbxd
7.3*2.2*1.1 meter. In the later years all Wibo are disgned by the well known bureau Van der Stadt.. Who designed the early wibo's I don't know. The yard was a family business from 1847 till 1998. In 1902 they start builing in steel. The first yacht was build in 1930. From the Wibo there where 3200 built.

Now they build only motor vessels. Maybe the unlogic link to the yard will help you: http://www.vwm.nl
 
Hey, Ovni, thanks for that. I'll follow the link and see what happens. I did go to the yard on a trip to Holland last year, but the new administration didn't seem too keen on discussing history, as they now make posh motor boats. There were several Wibo IIs the other side of the creek, so I got some useful rigging ideas from them, but I still haven't got any griff on the UK fleet.

There must be/have been a fleet, as just this last weekend, I found the boat number '31' carved into the base of the mast, so where at least thirty others are remains a mystery. Given the hundreds/thousands that were built by Van Wijk, I would doubt that she's no 31 of the whole fleet, but I'll press the new yard owners for more info.

Again, thanks for that useful link.
 
Bingo! I rang the telephone number of a Dutch Wibo 2 that is listed for sale, and it turns out she is owned by the sister of Bouw Van Wijk, the very bloke who built them all. She kindly gave me his number, and I had a very long and interesting conversation with this lovely retired gentleman.

It transpires my ship was built in 1963, and she is no 31 of around 450 that were built. He told me of several weak points where I should check for corrosion, but the hull is in excellent condition for what I know know is a lady of a certain age!
 
Hello Skipjack,

I am a little out of date with this thread, but I too am an owner of a Wibo 11, I bought her two years ago and she is out of the water on the Isle of Wight. Her sail number is 96 and built around 1970. I have been in touch with a previous owner, but unfortunately he speaks no English!! I have been trying to get info on her history particularly for V.A.T. purposes but to no avail. She is a bonny little ship, hence her name Blink Bonny.
There is a Dutch forum for Wibo's.... you have to "Google" it but otherwise precious little information on any Van de Stadt designs. Like you my hull is in very good condition.
Best wishes

BB5
 
Wibo 11

Hello Alhol2,
Thank you for your reply, but as far as V.A.T. goes, I have no proof that the boat was built around 1970, and after explaining the situation to the customs people on their stand at two boat shows, they seem to imply that I may be liable if I don't have proof that the yacht was in the E.U. on the 31st Dec 1992, and in use as a private pleasure craft prior to 1st Jan 1985!!! They didn't mention anything about pre 1970. so as a fully paid up member of this totalitarian state......I shall sail merrily on until big brother boards and demands...they don't make it easy do they.

Thanks again, best wishes,

BB5
 
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