Mr Lohner, what do you want with a wreck?
I've been looking for a suitable boat for a few years now and have also placed a classified advert myself looking for a steel boat to give away. I want to set off on a circumnavigation in four years' time. Until then, I want to use my manual skills as a motor vehicle mechatronics technician to make the boat suitable for this. When I came across the advert from the former owners' association of the "Raido", I got in touch and had a look at the boat.
What did the ship look like on the inside when you first visited it?
Everything was muddy, there was still a lot of water in the bilge and the engine wasn't running.
And that didn't put you off?
No. I thought that everything would come out anyway. I want to rebuild the ship from the ground up according to my ideas. Even the big puddle in the deck saloon didn't bother me. My only condition was that the engine had to be running. The day after the viewing, I was called and told that the engine had been preserved and was intact. I then bought the "Raido" for a symbolic euro.
What is your strategy for the refit?
I search a lot on online platforms for second-hand material. On the one hand, I do this because I want to approach my project in a fairly low-budget and sustainable way. Secondly, old parts are often of better quality than newer ones. Just last week, I came across some wood for the interior panelling: I was at the recycling centre and the wood was piled up there. It had only been used once before. I'm going to paint it and install it.
What does your schedule look like?
In 2028, I would like to sail in the Mediterranean for two years, after which I plan to sail around the world for five years. Along the way, I want to see where I like it best and where I would like to live in the future.
How much money have you budgeted for the refit??
I believe that it should be possible to make the "Raido" seaworthy for 20,000 to 30,000 euros, so that everything is in order. As far as the basic structure is concerned, I'm arguing that everything is relatively cheap - so far. Of course, the instruments and technology will be expensive, but I believe that I will be able to realise the whole thing well thanks to my frugal approach. I also want to actively run a YouTube channel during the trip. This will not only give me a nice documentary for me and my son. I also want to use it as an opportunity to earn money while I'm travelling.
You have no previous sailing experience. How do you intend to solve this problem?
When the boat is ready, I would like to do the first strokes on the North Sea and Baltic Sea with experienced sailors as hand-against-jelly guests. If that goes well, I'm confident enough to do longer trips on my own. Basically, however, I always plan to take people with me who want to accompany me.
