It wasn't just Erdmann fans who had been wondering for years whether another challenging trip on the legendary "Kathena nui" would be possible. Last summer, the record-breaking yacht was put back in the water for the first time after 14 years on dry land, and she was fitted with an engine. "I'm going on one more big trip," announced Wilfried Erdmann, 76. However, he kept his exact plans to himself for the time being. The guesswork continued.
In YACHT 10/2016, the probably most popular German skipper then got specific: the journey would take him to Scotland, with stops on the Hebrides, the Orkneys and the Faroe Islands, among others. The launch at the end of April was followed by intensive days of preparation, which ended this morning. Astrid and Wilfried Erdmann have cast off the lines and left the Schlei for the big trip. Their return is not planned until the autumn.
Before leaving, YACHT had the exclusive opportunity to sail the famous Slup. We will present this extraordinary ship to you in detail in issue 12.
The construction built by Wilfried Erdmann himself in 1984 by aluminium specialist Uwe Dübbel had helped its owner to several firsts. In 1984/85, Erdmann sailed the 10.60 metre yacht single-handed and non-stop around the world, and in 200/01 he did the same, even against the prevailing winds and currents. To this day, no one has ever achieved this with a smaller ship, and no other yacht has sailed around the world non-stop in both directions.
After the second great voyage, however, the "Kathena nui" was laid up in the yard behind Erdmann's house on the Schlei - only today is she back in her element.
