Windfall Yachts were yachts seized from the Germany forces at the end of World War II. They had previously been used for training and recreation. Much of the information in this database comes from the work of Mike Cudmore who wrote the definitive book on Windfall Yachts. His archive is stored at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall.
To request more detail on any of these yachts contact us at library@nmmc.co.uk
| Name | Class | Length m | Builder | Date of build | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORION | 150 Sq M | 0 | 1910 | Bermudan cutter of 60 tons. Allocated to the RN Clyde fleet, moored near Garelochhead. Became uneconomical because of her size and was sold. | |
| PAUL BENECKE | 0 | 1921 | A 28 ton Yawl. Unallocated late 1946 | ||
| HELGOLAND | 0 | Burmeister | 1938 | Handsome 30 ton yawl designed by Henry Gruber. Renamed PICKLE. 1953 allocated to Canadian navy, based at Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 1979 she was reported to be abandoned in Halifax but has since been rescued, reverting to her original name of HELGOLAND. | |
| PLANET | 60 Sq M | 0 | Abeking & Rasmussen | 1910 | Allocated to HMS Dryad. Took part in a Rally for naval cadets at Dartmouth in 1948. In 1954 underwent a survey at HMS Fishguard and was judged to be in a poor condition. However the following year she took part in and successfully completed Fastnet Race. |
| RASMUS III | 13.21 | Bobswerfe | 1928 | Designed by Arthur Tiller as a comfortable cruising yacht, a 42ft sloop (later a ketch) which remained at the BKYC for more than 40 years before being sold to a private owner in 1992. | |
| SEAGRAM | 60 Sq M | 0 | Built as the NORDOST a 60 square metre yacht. Later SILVER TASSIE | ||
| SEEADLER | 45 Sq M | 0 | Built as the SEEADLER a 45 square metre yacht. Allocated to BKYC | ||
| SEEDRACHE | 0 | Built as the SEEDRACHE a 60 ft yawl for the Luftwaffe. | |||
| SEERQUER | 0 | Built as the SEERQUER a 60 ft ketch for the Luftwaffe. | |||
| SEESTERN | 0 | Built as the SEESTERN a 40ft ketch for the Luftwaffe. | |||
| SIGRID | 15.24 | Max Oertz | 1912 | A 22 ton ketch she was allocated to the Clyde to be sold 1955. | |
| VICTORIA | 0 | Built as the VICTORIA. Allocated to Kiel | |||
| WALKURE | 12.19 | 1939 | Built as the WALKURE a 62ft yawl | ||
| WUNSCH | 35 Sq M | 0 | Built as the WUNSCH a 35 sq.m. Windfall yacht. Sailed to UK early 1947 | ||
| MELANIE | 12.14 | Abeking and Rassusen | 1919 | Her first owner was a Dutchman from Utrecht. It is thought that she was brought from Germany with the fifty other square metre yachts after the war. Bought by the Civil Service Sailing Association. | |
| SKAGERRAK | 300 Sq M | 0 | 60 ton yawl, together with NORDWIND and ALK the largest of the Windfall yachts. In May 1946 she was sailed to the UK from Kiel by Lt Cdr HN Taylor. Handed over to the Capt of HMS Revenge and moored off Priddy’s Hard. | ||
| KUCKKUCK V 44 | 50 Sq M | 12.65 | Abeking and Rassusen | 1935 | KUCKKUCK was built for the Luftwaffe. In 1970 listed as at BKYC. Later FLIMM |