User:Kimdino/Newbridge Yachts

Newbridge Yachts were a UK yacht builder based in Bridport, Dorset until they went into liquidation in 1987. The company was later brought back to life as N.B. Yachts and the production facility moved from Bridport to Chard in the county of Somerset UK.

Production of the boats carried on for three more years before the company finally ceased trading in January 1990.

The company is known mainly for producing smal but comfortable family cruisers though more racy designs were produced.

The Navigator was first built in 1980. They were built of GRP and designed to be an affordable cruiser that had good stable sailing capability, good interior head room and would sleep four people in relative comfort for 'weekend' cruising.

Owners soon got to love their new boats and formed the first owners association. This can be found at the Newbridge and Venturer Owners Association (NAVA) website.

Many Navigators were built, soon to be followed by a similar, but larger model - the Venturer. The Virgo Voyager was a 23' family cruiser.

The Eclipse was designed in the late 60s by Ian Proctor. It had a L.O.A. of 22' and could sleep four people with basic living facilities. Several variations were offered including the choice of fin or lifting keel, and fractional or masthead rig. The Eclipse offered less comfort than the traditional 'Newbridge' in return for higher performance and its ability to outperform many larger boats proved popular with many club racers.

The Spinner was a 28' cruiser.

Further information

 * Newbridge Navigator and Venturer Association
 * Newbridge Eclipse Owners

The company also produced the small Cracksman cruising catamaran of about 20 feet in length during the 1970's, a design reminiscent of the Jarcat boats of Australia, but little is known about these craft. There is a Yahoo Group trying to preserve knowledge of this little catamaran.