Blue water: Holes, suffering and long-distance happiness: Interview with Nike Steiger

Nike Steiger has long since got used to surprises, both nasty and nice. To the engine not starting when it was so urgently needed. To water in the bilge, even though it should be bone dry. But also to the fact that friendly helpers always turn up unexpectedly in times of greatest need.

The 38-year-old has been travelling in Central and South America with her Reinke Super 10 "Karl" since 2013. What began with a supposed bargain purchase in Panama and the plan for a big blue water trip (YACHT 4/2015) has turned into a never-ending refit of the eleven-metre-long aluminium yacht. On her YouTube channel "White Spot Pirates" and on YACHT tv Nike Steiger reports on this on a weekly basis.

The marketing expert from Lüneburg, who usually travels single-handed, has already invested countless hours in her dream of the great voyage, documenting sweat, tears and moments of happiness - and has now held almost every part of "Karl" in her hands at least once. After sailing through the Caribbean (YACHT 14/2017), she crossed the Panama Canal to finally explore the Pacific. But there seemed to be no end to the construction sites on the boat.

We met Nike Steiger during her recent visit home and asked her how great the longing for the South Seas must be to spend years labouring at anchor in the heat and often with the simplest of means - and whether she is still pursuing her original goal of one day setting off on the great blue water voyage, which once envisaged a Pacific loop from the South Seas to Canada and even the Atlantic crossing to Europe.

The interview and interim summary of the sailing video blogger appears in YACHT 16/2019. The magazine is available in stores from today, can be ordered online and is available digitally here.