The Dehler Varianta was once a bestseller, with almost 4,000 built between 1967 and 1982. The first 255 as "K3". A removable hardtop with windows made the boat suitable for cruising. A fixed superstructure only came later.
Tell me, Mr Kuner, how does the K3 get into the forest?
The boat comes from a sailing school here at Schluchsee. It had damage to the rigging and was no longer sailable. I paid 50 euros. The previous owner didn't actually want anything because I had saved him from having to dispose of it at great expense. But I didn't want it for nothing.
Were adjustments necessary for the new application?
I first had to drill holes in it so that the cockpit wouldn't fill up in the rain. Then I painted the inside of the cabin and made a berth, which also involved removing the mast support, which is no longer needed. The result was a large forward berth that you can also snuggle up in. That's how we advertise it. There is also a canopy over the cockpit and a kitchen box with a gas cooker.
Was criticism also voiced?
There was a desire for an even larger awning. But mainly because there was a lot of rain this summer. So it was actually about more rain protection.
How did you get into sailing as a canoe guide?
I used to own a ZK-10 sailing cutter for events on the Schluchsee. This was a common type in the GDR at the Society for Sport and Technology. Then I got a taste for modern sailing with fewer bows and bought a Cometino 701. 7.50 metres is the maximum permitted length here on the lake. I sail with it on holiday in the Mediterranean. And I do it in Porto Azzurro on the island of Elba. With such a small boat, the mooring costs just 240 euros for a month.
Is the offer well received?
Yes, we had already had good experiences with a cable car cabin and three tree tents for overnight stays. The cable car wasn't booked that often at first, but the boat was booked a lot right from the start. But we also offered it cheaply - for 60 euros per night - and people often stayed for two or three nights.
What do guests like about this unusual accommodation option?
In addition to the boat feeling, we especially liked the small fireplace next to the boat, which is also a little out of the way, which people liked. The pitch at the camp is actually for transport, because we were able to unload it there directly from the trailer with the excavator.
What other accommodation options would you like for your camp?
We have more ideas, but we're slowly running out of space. I would like to build the typical Swedish shelters where you can just lie down or set up a converted school bus. A classic van would certainly work too, as people are always asking if they can hire the bus pictured on our website.
Do you sometimes sleep in the K3 yourself?
Not after the first night of testing. But I do sleep in my Cometino 701 during many a lunch break, which is right next to the camp on the jetty in the Schluchsee.
