The main topics in this issue
| Topic | That’s what it’s all about |
| SailGP Sassnitz | Records, races and the German team’s prospects ahead of their home race off the coast of Rügen |
| Hanse 461 | Exclusive test of the revamped cruising yacht from Greifswald |
| Hydrogenerators | A comparison of ten systems: performance, functionality and costs |
| Lake Garda | A late-summer sailing trip with culinary delights around Riva |
| Yachts of the Year | 21 boats nominated for Europe’s ‘Oscar’ of boatbuilding |
| Rules and Regulations | Part Three of the series: Which vessels have right of way, and when? |
The SailGP off Sassnitz has once again proved to be a spectacular regatta to watch. The F50 catamarans flew across the course right in front of the grandstands, whilst 15,000 spectators enjoyed two days of sunshine, rainbows and plenty of wind. The French team reached a speed of 107.63 kilometres per hour. Team Germany also made a strong impression with a speed of 104.6 kilometres per hour and won two races.
This magazine report takes a closer look at the results: How did the German crew experience the races? Which decisions made the difference? And why is Sassnitz such a good venue for the ‘Formula 1 of sailing’? The latest online analysis “Sassnitz remains the record-holding ski run” provides the background to the fastest weekend in SailGP history.
Hanse 461: more than just a facelift?
The Hanse 461 succeeds the successful 460 series. The Greifswald shipyard has revamped its 14-metre model in many respects: the stern is larger, the swimming platform has been transformed into a beach club, a fixed hardtop is available, and there are eight cabin layouts to choose from below deck.
In an exclusive test, YACHT sets out to determine whether these changes actually improve the cruising yacht’s performance. It’s not just about more features and choice, but about the crucial question out on the water: how does the new 461 sail, how does it handle, and how practical are the details in everyday use? First impressions and photos of the test boat are available online: Hanse 461 in the YACHT test.
Hydrogenerators: Electricity from water flow
Self-sufficiency on board remains an important issue, particularly for long-haul crews and boat owners with high electricity requirements. Following on from solar and wind generators, this issue explores what a hydro generator can achieve. Ten units are put through their paces in a comparison. They generate electricity by means of a propeller at the stern, driven by the boat’s movement through the water.
The test is designed to show how much energy actually flows into the batteries, which systems are suitable for which sailing profiles, and what costs are likely to be involved. It is crucial to look at the system as a whole: speed, daily consumption, battery capacity and installation costs determine whether a hydrogenerator on board is really worthwhile.
Lake Garda: End-of-season celebrations in the Alps
In late summer, Lake Garda offers a unique blend of thermal winds, mountain scenery and the Italian way of life. The Mese del Gusto begins around Riva at the end of September. This month of culinary delights combines sailing with gastronomic events in Riva, Torbole, Arco and the surrounding countryside. This sailing report takes us to the northern part of the lake and shows why the season can be extended there.
European Yacht of the Year: 21 nominees
Which boats will define the coming season? *YACHT* presents 21 models nominated for the ‘European Yacht of the Year’ award. They range in length from seven to 17 metres. For readers, this overview serves as a useful guide ahead of the autumn boat shows and, above all, helps answer the question of which designs, hull shapes and fitting details are set to become more prominent in the new boat market in the future.
Understanding the rules: Correctly prioritising rules
The third part of the series focuses on vessels that sometimes or always have right of way. Particularly when encountering commercial vessels, vessels with limited manoeuvrability or special-purpose vessels, it is not enough simply to recall individual rules of thumb. It is crucial to recognise the type of vessel, the situation and any potential restrictions at an early stage.
This new instalment builds on the previous articles on KVR and good seamanship It puts the rules into practice on board and sharpens one’s awareness of situations in which keeping a safe distance and acting with foresight are more important than supposed rights.
Other topics in this issue
This issue also features articles on German Classics, the ARC Baltic, Starlink, 60 years of the Opti and the sailor Philipp Hympendahl. The travel section covers a blue-green algae alert in the Baltic Sea, harbours in the Markermeer, and an adventure trip from Singapore through Indonesia and Malaysia to the Strait of Malacca.
Also featured are the Solaris 44 performance cruiser and the Ipsum 45 high-tech trimaran. A profile pays tribute to the offshore sailing pioneer Ludwig Schlimbach, whose legacy lives on to this day. In the yacht market section, four trailable small cruisers under seven metres are reviewed in a quick round-up. And this issue visits the ‘Thor Heyerdahl’, on which young people have been learning about responsibility and teamwork for four decades.
Book recommendations
Alpine lakes combines striking images with an overview of waterways in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. Lake Garda is specifically included. The book does not provide detailed nautical itineraries, but it does convey the landscape, atmosphere and diversity of Alpine water sports destinations. It thus complements the magazine feature for readers who wish to discover late summer on Lake Garda not only as a destination for their next trip, but also as a special travel experience.
Seamanship combines maritime law, safe boat handling, manoeuvres, navigation and meteorology in a comprehensive reference work. As the third volume in the ‘Regeln’ series, this book provides an in-depth foundation: it explains how rules apply at sea and on inland waterways, and what responsibilities skippers have in situations where vessels encounter one another. It is particularly useful as a guide for refreshing your knowledge before your next trip.
Which feature in YACHT 20/2026 will you read first: the SailGP feature, the Hanse 461 review, the hydrogenerator comparison, or one of the other articles? Let us know in the comments.
Pascal Schürmann
Editor YACHT