They have fuelled the sailing dreams of an entire generation of self-builders: Kurt Reinke's construction plans. With them and the associated self-build system called HD ("Hobby Design"), anyone should be able to fulfil their dream of owning their own ocean-going yacht. Either by building one of the numerous designs from Reinke's pen completely themselves - hull and interior. Or by ordering a hull from a shipyard or a private hull manufacturer from the partner pool of self-builders, leaving only the interior fittings to be completed. A complete order was also possible - but rather rare.
In the late eighties and early nineties, dozens of Reinkes were built in barns, meadows, gardens and backyards. Quite a few of them have since left the world in their wake. Quite a few were never completed. Even if Kurt Reinke's vision of low-cost self-builds for everyone did not always work out, the boats, which could be made of either aluminium or steel, established themselves as robust and popular long-distance vessels. Well-known Reinke owners such as Heide and Erich Wilts with their three "Freydis" yachts or vlogger Nike Steiger with her "Karl" have also ensured that the boats conjure up images of distant cruising grounds in the minds of various generations of long-distance travellers.
A lot has happened since the beginning of the Reinke era: Kurt Reinke, who provided his community of self-builders with information, advice and further developments with almost superhuman commitment, and his son and successor Peter Reinke have passed away. Now Kurt Reinke's grandson Sverre Reinke is taking over the distribution of the self-build plans, together with his sister Kyra Reinke and her partner Elmar Krüger. The young trio - all sailors themselves - have plans to breathe new life into the former self-build system. Even if this will certainly not be easy, as Sverre Reinke reports.
"Times have changed," says the 29-year-old from Bremen, who lives in Hamburg. "Only a few people still have the facilities, the space and perhaps the expertise to build their own." Sverre Reinke is therefore once again on the lookout for partners. "Above all, we are looking for shipyards and hull manufacturers who want to work with us. We have already held initial talks."
Shipyards for aluminium yachts are rare, the order books of the existing ones are full, and the majority of the so-called hull manufacturers from the early Reinke years have already retired, are in the process of doing so - or are sailing on their own keel towards retirement (see also " Best-of for the great voyage"; a portrait of Michael Matzerath from Düren and his "Malu" in YACHT 23/2020 ). Other partners such as sailmakers are also being sought again.
But the Reinke siblings and Elmar Krüger are still at the very beginning. The Website has already been reorganised and the official company foundation is currently underway. All three of them work part-time; Sverre Reinke is in the process of completing his degree in aerospace engineering; business economist Kyra Reinke, 33, and electrical engineer Elmar Krüger, 35, work at a shipyard for large ships on the Weser.
The founders have already realised that there is demand: "We regularly receive enquiries," reports Sverre Reinke. At the moment, however, they cannot do more than sell construction plans and provide advice - as best they can. All three are sailors, Sverre Reinke is particularly at home on the regatta course. Most recently, the partner of mini-transat sailor Lina Rixgens was involved in the preparation of her boat, and he is currently sailing a Dehler 30 OD in regattas on the Baltic Sea.
Kurt Reinke's grandson knows that the project is ambitious and that much of it is still a vision. The main focus is currently on putting out feelers - and after initial discussions, he is hopeful that the plans will become reality.
The whole History about the Reinke yachts and their designer Kurt Reinke is in YACHT 1/2020, which can be ordered here.
