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Just looking at the BKYC web site and noticed "Marabu" mentioned a couple of times. People might like to know that she is no longer rotting away in Ipswich, but was bought in December by Martin Yachts in Germany. They intend to undertake complete restoration. They recently restored an Abeking & Rasmussen 12 metre called "Antira", which is built identically to "Marabu" and "Flamingo" - if anyone's interested there's a diary of her rebuild at www.martin-yachts.com/.
Rob Anstey
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I sailed with Paddy McBride on many occasions when he was a L/Bdr (12 Lt AD Regt RA) Boat Husband/Skipper on Flamingo in the mid/late sixties at the BKYC. Has anybody heard from him?
He took me from Deck Hand to Mate 100sqm via Faaborg, Sonderborg, Aeroskobing, Kobenhaven and a murky night in a Svendborg Kipper Smoke House trying to sober up. I also sailed on the 30 sqm, (leaked like a sieve) 50 sqm, a Danboat and Contessa class boats but my greatest love is Flamingo. I still have her Racing Burgee, which is very much weather-worn and hand-painted, on the wall in my living room along with a photograph of her. (It is difficult to explain to my wife of 30 years why I love a girl who is 30 years older than her). Who could not love Flaming Joe once you have sailed in her?)
On one memorable occasion I sailed as Mate with Capt Adrian Carruana RA (either 34 Lt AD or 12 Lt AD Regt) on the ketch Rasmus when we won Cruise of the Year, which I think was 1969 or 1970, memory fails me, I do remember we had a Fire at Sea due to failed lagging on the exhaust system.
I would like to contact Paddy if anyone knows of his whereabouts.
As a behind thought, to this day I can still tie a Bowline behind my back which Bruno Splieth insisted (and when Bruno insisted, you persisted) I persevered at, and watched me until I could do it, in the boathouse, as apparently it would help me to tie one in front of me in the dark!
Peter Ruston
34 Lt AD Regt RA, 22 AD Regt, 12 Lt AD Regt, RSA Signals Wing, RACISG Larkhill
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Hello, I wonder if you can help me. For some years now, I have wondered about the fate of an erstwhile friend, D.T. (Tim) Offley. I knew him from our time at college together in the 1970s and we kept in touch sporadically through the 1980s when he was sailing all over the place and I was living in London. I would receive virtually indecipherable postcards from him once or twice a year, and occasional visits when he was passing through. Then, sometime in the 1990s (not sure of the precise year), I learned that he had passed away. I was unable to attend his funeral (much to my regret), and have never had any inkling about what happened or how he died. Recently he came up in conversation with another mutual friend from the old days, and we resolved to try and discover the facts of his death. I know he was with the Kiel Club after college, and googling his name brought up his presence on your website's photo albums. Jonty Redgate redgate@btinternet.com Hi Jonty, I remember Tim well; I started permanently at Kiel in 85 he was running the Light Infantry boat Ensign Dyas (a First). They then changed to a westerly and shortly afterwards Tim and the boat went to the UK . (310309)
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Hi, my name is John Langford (Bonnie) ex 2nd Fld RA. I was posted to Kiel in 86 for two years and it turned my life around, made a load of mates, such as poppet Curran, Jerry Sharpe, Mac the Knife, Tel Barratt, Red Egg, Simon and the Mafiosy Kid to name but a few.
I can remember many a good night in the bars around Denmark and Kiel, anyone remembers me drop me an email through (above mail) regards. Bonnie.
Hi Bonnie, a few names that I am still in touch with. Top tip is to join ‘Facebook’ there is an a lot of old boys in contact there (220109)
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My name is John McFadden and I spent about 3 months at BKYC in 1992 (May - July/ Aug). I was a Lieutenant in REME and my Armd Wksp in Soest had just amalgamated with the one next door (5 and 6 Armd Wksps) There were three surplus Subbies and we were sent off adventure training! I thoroughly enjoyed my time at BKYC and it really is good to see that it continues to flourish.
I did a comp crew course at BKYC and sailed in the Tri service regatta out of Gosport on Kukhri. The Army team won the inshore and offshore that year, (Div 1?? Nicholson 62??)! Anyway, I returned to BKYC and was booked on a skippers day course when I was posted back to Soest. I left the Army in the mid-nineties and joined the oil and gas industry. I managed to do some sailing in a few places around the world. I currently live in Hong Kong
John McFadden
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Hiya Baz, don't iknow if you remember me (Paul (Acky)Atkinson) i did about 3 years in Kiel. Just been looking around the site and it brought back some good times. I remember having a beer fight with Monster, Ralf in his robin hood fancy dress kit and when Micks car went into the oggin. Anyway i think yours is the only face i know there now. I'm back in the UK I have 4 daughters and am remarried. Pass on good wishes to all who know me
Cheers Acky
Hi, how time moves on! Not sure where Monster is now , last heard in Norway or Finland. Mick Johns and the VW Passat that went down the steps for a swim. He is living/working in Alborg (DK) and doing well, I am in regular contact with him.
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Hello Baz, not sure if you would remember me my name is Mark Skates i was posted to Kiel as a boson in the nineties around the same time as the Estonia ferry disaster. Well exactly at that time because we were out racing that night to Bornholm. Tony was in charge at BKYC and there were a lot of characters around at the time just to name a few please excuse surnames and ranks .... Baggy, Paul Lockhart (locky), Windy, Red, Ji, Neil, Little Tony (who run the bar), John Curran, Simon Oatley, Chris Wrigley, Dave Robinson, Tony Clatworty, John Crouch, Jerry Sharp, and Manfred (still got the half a hull he made me) to mention a few. I took over the bar from little tony until I had to return to my unit (9th12th Lancers) to go back to NI and I know we had some good partys (all to the dismay of Jerry) late at night in the block.
I have kept up the sailing and would love to return at some time and see how things have changed if work permits.
Regards Mark
Hi Mark, I might have been here a while now but my memory is fine (I think). I am in contact with most of the above, albeit not every day. Chris Wrigley and Manfred Esser are still working here.
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I notice from your web site that your Club was formed using Wind Fall boats after the 2nd WW. I am trying to find out some information on a boat that my father used to own, which was a Wind Fall Boat. I do not want to put you to any trouble, but I was wondering if you new of any sources of information that might help me. The boat in question was called Pomona, she was built around 1920 for a German for Baltic use (I think). She was a 62 foot ketch. If you are able to point me in any direction, I would be grateful.
Julian Weston Gloucestershire, UK.
To my knowledge there has no been a ‘Pomona’ at the BKYC. Baz (261107)
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DC MacGregor asked for info about Merlin. She is now called ZEEAREND having recently been rebuilt in Holland. For full info see Michael Cudmore's book The Windfall Yachts. ISBN 978-0942547-1-1.
PS I sailed in the 30 Sqm Jutta and 50 Sqm Seahorse in 1948
Peter Foston (051107)
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I did a ten day sailing course on the Avalanche back in around 1968. The skipper was a guy called Ron, who had a Danish wife in Fabourg. Had a fantastic time - even though I lied when I said I could swim - not a stroke!!
Best of luck to you Peter L. Keen (ex REME) (051107)
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An enquiry about "Merlin" from D.C. MacGregor. She was previously called "Wal". Merlin was bought in a sorry state from the yard in Essex mentioned and has been fully restored and now sails as "Zeearand" under the Dutch flag. I'm happy to point you to more information if required.
Not sure if you have heard, but a book has just been published entitled "The Windfall Yachts" by Michael Cudmore - very interesting reading for the historians ISBN 978-0-9542547-1-1
Why am I interested ? I'm a civilian that has sailed on "Overlord" (ex-REYC), "Marabu" (ex-RNSA) (100sqm yachts) and "Sea Scamp" (ex-Dartmouth) (50sqm) since 1980. They are all Abeking & Rasmussen - Marabu is the same year as "Flamingo", but unfortunately is now in Ipswich waiting for someone with a lot of money to re-build her. I sailed Overlord to the Baltic 4 years ago and stopped for a night at BKYC, where we were warmly received. I was looking at your web site because we aim to be coming past you again in early June next year.
Yours Rob Anstey (051107)
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My father, CDR (later RADM) R.I. Clayton was SUSNO (Senior US Naval Officer) at COMNAVBALTAP from 1964 thru 1967. We lived on Memler Strasse next door to MAJ Arthur Shadbolt, MC, RE and his wife Sheila and their son Christopher. We were avid members of BKYC. MAJ Stan Townsend, MBE was in charge of the club during that time. We sailed with Bruno Spleith and the rest of the gang. A highlight of my time there was when the Royal Sailing Yacht Bloodhound called and Arthur Shadbolt got me on board for a trip to 3 day trip from BKYC to Copenhagen. I visited Arthur and his family when my submarine paid a visit (Westward HO) to the UK in 1983. I am now retired from the US Navy and in municipal government. If I do nothing else before I pass on I will return to Kiel and visit the BKYC. 1964-1967 were great years in Kiel and the BKYC and I shall never forget the joy of coming home from Frankfurt where I attended school to sail in the Kieler Fijorde and the Baltic.
YNCS (SS/SW/AC) David D. Clayton, USN (Ret) (310907)
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I sailed on the Kranich in 1969. The yacht was skippered by Colonel Jumbo Thomas, a good teacher and CO of AAC Chepstow.
I have continued sailing although Lake Ontario is now my baliwick. One day I'll finally take that celestial nav course and my advanced navigator. Best wishes to all former and present crewmembers.
Graham Bath (260707)
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Does any one of your members know the where about's of The Planet, she was one of the windfall's purchased by my late father from Plymouth in about 1958/9/60!!!, I would also like to know if this was her original name. My interest about Planet are only I spent a lot of my childhood on her with very fond memories and would love to see her again.
Many Thanks Simon Spurge
Will ask about for you Simon. Baz (290107)
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I was stationed at Kiel from 1972 to 1975 as a diving instructor. It would be nice to hear how some of my old colleagues are fairing now that we are advancing in years! I’m looking for Pete Thorpe, Pat Hogan, Dick Sayers, Yorky Pinder and anyone else who served at the RE Diving Wing in the early 70’
Regards Nick Hutchinson (24028880 Cpl).
Nick, The RE wing has closed only sport divers now I’m afraid. Baz (290107)
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Hi my name is Frank Kemmery I used to be an instructor at the BKYC in 1970 I was detached from 12 Sqn RCT .Love the web site. I am now living in Brisbane Queensland Australia I have been here nearly 25 yrs, Love it and i am still sailing. Glad to see the BKYC is still going strong. Question do the boys still crack the Barrel @ the local Fred, Pub. I had agreat time at Kiel.
Regards Frank Kemmery
Frank, The pub just outside the gate was indeed a great meeting and drinking ‘shack’. It was knocked down some years ago, and the area is now a garden for the ajoining houses. Baz
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My name is Paul Conroy, ex 5 regiment RA. I did a competent crew course (or equivalent) on yacht 'Kranich' in the mid 80's and my sailing instructor was, believe it or not, Major Hazard. I was just wondering how far back records were kept and if it would be possible to get any documents relating to me having got the certificate? I know it's a long shot but thought it would be worth a try. In the meantime thanks for your time in reading this.
All the best, Paul Conroy
Paul, We do not keep data going back that far. Kranich has now been sold to a local boat builder and he plans to have her on the water again some time. Baz
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I have read with great interest your information on the German "Windfall" class yachts, but I can find no mention of a 100 Square Metre Windfall yacht that I was associated with when serving in the Royal Navy. The yacht was "Merlin". She was previously named, (I think) "Val" or some similar name. I used to take naval cadets up and down the English Channel on Venture Training exercises from Portsmouth, (Gosport in fact, HMS Hornet, the yacht basin where the submarines were based). This I did in 1970. I believe the R.N. Sold off the windfalls and obtained Nicholson yachts some time later in the mid to late 70's. My last trace of "Merlin" was in a boatyard in Maldon/Essex where a gentleman remembered her being refitted in a yard there. After she left this yard nobody seems to know where she went, what befell her or anything else connected with her. Maybe you could shed some light on this yacht. I have two splendid photos of her running under full sail in the Solent with the naval trainees on deck, spinnaker up and showing her sail number of 662 (six, six, two).
Yours sincerely D.C. MacGregor
Have asked around but no information on Merlin. If you can send a copy of the photos I will put them in the photo albums pages Baz
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Hello from a past Baltic Hand, I spent many Happy weekends up at Kiel club, from 1964-1966. I cannot remember the names of fellow crews, but I can remember putting the 30 metre yachts through their paces on passage races to Aeroskobing. I also recall some amusing moments when crews came in under sail and misjudged their timing of dropping the sails and tying up warps. I had to give up my enjoyable weekends when I was posted to a slightly bigger yacht namely HMS Intrepid.
Best Regards Mike Cole (Signalman Royal Sigs attatched to 94 Locating Regt. Celle)
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