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Knockout criteria when buying a boat

Buying a boat is a risky step. Dreams, emotions, the desire to do something completely different are big, fuelled by a kind of midlife crisis and some money. Some people do it without a midlife crisis and money. So let’s look at the knockout criteria when buying a boat. A boat is perceived as promise and a placeholder for a …

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Duck perspective

Are you still bobbing around or sailing already? Easygoing square metre boats answer this question in their way. These beautiful light air windmills make something out of nearly nothing. Around thirty boats, from classic 15 square metre boats to a modern cruising 55 are sailing the Slim & Tender Race (Schlank & Rank Regatta) off Fehmarn at the german coast …

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Owner advice: Where to put the anchor?

Swede 55 can be enjoyed as it was built in the 1970s. Believe it or not and even if some do-it-yourselfers may find it difficult: you can simply sail this boat as it is – with one exception: Unfortunately, the yard did not consider an important issue at the time, anchoring. A secure anchor that you can easily deploy and …

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What is a Squaremetre boat?

Anything flat-hulled with long overhangs, made of wood, ideally with a glossy finish? This is how a sailor usually answers this question. In principle, that’s true, since the open design class launched in 1908 for racing in the Stockholm archipelago initially left a lot of freedom. Only the sail area was limited. If you wanted to win with a Squaremetre …

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Never sail this Swede 41

September 21 Richard invites me for an afternoon aboard his Swede 41 Sleipnir. After he left me the tiller for three unforgettable hours on Fehmarnsund, I must warn you straight away: Never sail this one, as this sailing Elysium is a dangerous, momentous experience. Not so much due the heel or for being so close to the sea. The problem …

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Uffa Fox

In the spring of 1930, the 22-square-metre skerrycruiser Vigilant stands on a ramp on the Medina River of the Isle Of Wight in the south of England. Apart from the lead keel, the rudder and the rigging, the boat is finished. It was designed by the famous regatta sailor and shipyard owner Uffa Fox (pictured right). It was built aboard …